Horror films in India have always carried a strange duality. On one hand, mainstream Bollywood often reduced the genre to jump scares, haunted mansions, and predictable tropes. On the other hand, regional cinema kept pushing boundaries, sometimes quietly and sometimes with roaring impact. Among these, Gujarati cinema surprised many with Vash (2023), a supernatural thriller that didn’t just scare audiences but also engaged them with layered storytelling. Its success was strong enough to inspire a Hindi remake titled Shaitaan (2024), further proof of the story’s potency.

When news broke that Vash Level 2 was on its way, expectations instantly soared. Could Krishnadev Yagnik replicate the chilling magic? Could the sequel expand the world in ways that honor the first film while introducing new terrors? On August 27, 2025, the answers arrived in theatres with the release of Vash Level 2, also dubbed in Hindi as Vash Vivash Level 2.

From the start, this film established itself not as a rehash but as an extension. It takes the lingering dread of the first story and thrusts it into a modern setting, making fear feel unnervingly familiar. At the same time, it nudges Indian horror into a bigger conversation, proving that regional films can hold their own alongside the best horror thriller movies globally.

Vash Level 2 Story – Fear Returns to Gujarat

The story begins twelve years after Atharva’s harrowing fight to protect his daughter Aarya from the sinister magician Pratap. Peace seems restored, but it’s only a fragile illusion. Strange incidents begin again, and this time the victims are a group of schoolgirls in Ahmedabad who suddenly turn violent, seemingly under a demonic spell.

The image of schoolgirls in uniforms turning into vessels of chaos is deeply unsettling. They storm through the city, overpowering strangers with shocking strength, attacking hawkers and motorists, and spreading terror. Parents are terrified, police remain clueless, and the whole social structure looks powerless. The sinister truth soon emerges: the girls’ rebellion isn’t their own. They are puppets, manipulated by black magic dust laced into their food by a stranger linked to Pratap.

Atharva, played by Hitu Kanodia, returns to the fray when he realizes the past never truly left his family. His daughter Aarya, portrayed by Janki Bodiwala, continues to suffer under the shadow of the same evil force. The haunting arc of Atharva and Aarya intertwines once again with Pratap’s legacy, now expanded through his brother Rajnath, played with theatrical menace by Hiten Kumar.

What makes the Vash Level 2 Story stand out is its allegorical edge. The possession of these girls is a chilling metaphor for societal conditioning and the way agency is often stripped away from women. Their bodies become weapons, but their minds remain shackled, a commentary on the oppressive structures around them. Fear is not just supernatural here; it’s deeply social, making the horror hit closer to home.

Cast and Performances in Vash Level 2 Movie

The heart of Vash Level 2 Hindi Movie lies in its performances. Janki Bodiwala once again brings Aarya to life, and while her screen time is limited, her presence carries haunting weight. She represents innocence trapped in forces far beyond her control, and Janki’s portrayal evokes both vulnerability and resilience.

Hitu Kanodia as Atharva is equally compelling. His weary eyes and haunted expressions communicate a father still fighting battles no one else can understand. His return to the story feels organic, and his performance anchors the chaos around him. He is the emotional tether for the audience, constantly reminding us that this isn’t just horror spectacle but a deeply personal struggle.

Hiten Kumar as Pratap (and Rajnath) injects theatrical menace into every frame. His villainy isn’t subtle, but in the context of horror, it works effectively. He embodies the sinister pull of patriarchal control, making him more than just a traditional antagonist.

Monal Gajjar as the school principal adds another layer, portraying authority caught in circumstances far beyond comprehension. The supporting cast, including Vishwa Rawal, Hency Bapat, and Prem Gadhavi, play their parts with conviction, blending naturally into the unsettling world.

Overall, the Vash Level 2 Movie cast succeeds in creating an atmosphere where fear feels not only external but internal. Each character becomes a reflection of helplessness, power struggles, or the haunting shadows of past sins.

Direction and Screenplay

Krishnadev Yagnik once again proves why he is among the most respected voices in Gujarati cinema today. His direction doesn’t rely on cheap thrills. Instead, he creates a slow-burning dread that lingers long after the credits roll. The screenplay ties back to the first film without feeling forced, answering questions that audiences carried since 2023 while raising new ones with equal intrigue.

One of the most striking choices is the use of everyday school life as the central stage of conflict. Classrooms, corridors, buses, and playgrounds turn into spaces of horror. This everyday familiarity heightens the unease, making the supernatural invasion feel disturbingly possible.

The writing balances exposition with atmosphere. Even when dialogues explain the mythology, there is an undercurrent of tension that prevents it from becoming heavy-handed. By blending horror with societal allegory, the screenplay makes the film more than just a scare-fest. It becomes a reflection of control, gender dynamics, and fear’s ability to spread through a community.

Technical Aspects of Vash Level 2

From a technical standpoint, Vash Level 2 shows remarkable craft. The cinematography captures Ahmedabad with a gritty realism, blending urban bustle with eerie silence. Shots of crowded streets, bustling schools, and darkened corners of the city contrast against the supernatural chaos unfolding within them.

The editing is sharp in the first half, keeping the tension tight as the girls’ possession escalates. While the second half occasionally falters with pacing, it never loses sight of the dread. The length of the film—under two hours—works to its advantage, avoiding the drag that often plagues horror sequels.

Sound plays a crucial role. Instead of drowning the audience with unnecessary background music, the film often leans on silence and sudden bursts of chaos. The atmosphere created through minimal sound design is both chilling and effective. This is where it firmly establishes itself as a supernatural movie with psychological depth, not just visual frights.

Music and Soundscape

The score composed for Vash Level 2 is haunting in its restraint. Unlike mainstream productions that overdo their soundtracks, the music here understands the value of silence. A few well-timed notes, an unsettling hum, or distorted sounds of laughter create more fear than any loud orchestra could.

The songs, while not central to the story, flow naturally without breaking the film’s rhythm. The background score intensifies moments of dread but avoids being overwhelming. This balance is one of the reasons critics called the filmmaking slick without being distracting.

Audience Reception and Vash Movie Review Highlights

Reactions to Vash Level 2 have been varied but largely appreciative of its ambition. Critics praised its raw, chaotic energy in the first half, describing it as unsettling and impactful. India Today gave it 3 out of 5 stars, appreciating its boldness in staging horror against everyday settings but noting that the second half falters with pacing.

Rediff rated it 2.5 out of 5, acknowledging its shorter runtime as a plus while suggesting it lacked the knockout punch expected from a major horror sequel. Scroll.in described it as effective, particularly in the first hour, while cautioning that the screenplay’s depth declined as it approached the climax.

International reviewers also weighed in. Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter called the filmmaking “slick without being distracting,” comparing its style to early Ram Gopal Varma’s Bhoot and Kaun. These reviews highlight both its strengths and shortcomings, but nearly all agree that Vash Level 2 solidifies the franchise’s standing as one of the best Indian horror movies of recent times.

Box Office and Popularity

Released on August 27, 2025, Vash Level 2 opened alongside its Hindi-dubbed version Vash Vivash Level 2. The film attracted both Gujarati audiences and horror fans across India who had already encountered the story through Shaitaan.

Box office numbers indicate strong openings in Gujarat, with steady growth in metro cities due to curiosity about the Hindi version. While it hasn’t yet broken into the category of the highest grossing Indian films, it has carved a respectable place in the new horror thriller movies segment.

For Gujarati cinema, its performance is significant. Few regional films manage to spark national interest the way Vash and now Vash Level 2 have done. The fact that audiences beyond Gujarat are discussing it shows how horror, when crafted with sincerity, can cross boundaries.

Trailer and Marketing 

The Vash Level 2 Trailer created strong anticipation before release. Unlike many horror previews that reveal too much, this one held back, focusing on atmosphere over plot. The glimpses of possessed schoolgirls and fleeting shots of Atharva hinted at chaos without spoiling the core twists.

On social media, conversations centered around how this film would differ from Shaitaan and whether it could maintain the originality of Gujarati storytelling. The trailer also generated buzz for its bold visuals, proving effective marketing doesn’t need spectacle when mystery can do the job.

Impact and Cultural Significance of Vash Level 2

Vash Level 2 is more than just another sequel. It symbolizes how regional Indian cinema is pushing into spaces once dominated solely by Bollywood. By anchoring horror in the everyday lives of Gujaratis—schools, streets, and homes—the film makes fear feel rooted in cultural truth rather than borrowed tropes.

Thematically, the film challenges traditional notions of power and control. The possession of schoolgirls becomes a disturbing metaphor for societal conditioning, patriarchy, and the exploitation of innocence. Unlike exploitative horror, it never reduces the girls to spectacle. Instead, their plight becomes a commentary on the pressures and controls young women face.

Another cultural marker is the film’s ability to travel. The Hindi-dubbed version opens Gujarati horror to a national audience, an achievement that few regional films manage. Just as Vash (2023) was remade as Shaitaan (2024), Vash Level 2 creates pathways for regional stories to command mainstream space.

The setting of modern Ahmedabad—gentrified yet clashing with patriarchal traditions—adds layers of commentary. This isn’t horror for the sake of scares; it’s horror that reflects society’s fractures. That is why it has earned a place in conversations about the best horror thriller movies of the decade.

Final Verdict

Vash Level 2 is raw, chaotic, and unsettling in ways that both thrill and frustrate. As a supernatural movie, it delivers imagery and tension that stay with you. While the second half doesn’t entirely match the promise of the first, it remains a bold entry in Gujarati cinema and Indian horror overall.

For those seeking polished spectacle, it may not fully satisfy. But for viewers open to horror that doubles as commentary, it’s a must-watch. The film succeeds in making fear a mirror, showing us not only the supernatural but also the societal demons we live with daily.

In the growing list of best Indian horror movies, Vash Level 2 secures a unique space, not for perfection but for ambition, commentary, and the audacity to scare us with our own reflections.

FAQs

1. What is Vash Level 2?
It is a Gujarati supernatural psychological horror film and sequel to Vash (2023).

2. When was Vash Level 2 released?
The film was released on August 27, 2025.

3. Who directed Vash Level 2?
The film was directed by Krishnadev Yagnik.

4. Who are the main cast members?
Janki Bodiwala, Hitu Kanodia, Hiten Kumar, and Monal Gajjar play lead roles.

5. What is Vash Level 2 Story about?
It follows Atharva and his daughter Aarya as they confront new horrors when schoolgirls in Ahmedabad are possessed through dark magic.

6. Is there a Hindi version of Vash Level 2?
Yes, it was dubbed in Hindi as Vash Vivash Level 2.

7. Is Vash Level 2 connected to Shaitaan?
Shaitaan (2024) was a Hindi remake of the first Vash. This sequel continues from the original Gujarati storyline.

8. How long is Vash Level 2?
The runtime is under two hours, keeping it shorter than many horror thrillers.

9. What exactly is Vash Level 2 Review like?
Mixed-to-positive reviews, praising its ambition and atmosphere but pointing out pacing issues in the second half.

10. Is Vash Level 2 among the best Indian horror movies?
It is widely regarded as one of the most impactful recent horror films from regional cinema.

11. What makes Vash Level 2 different from other new horror thriller movies?
It’s set in modern Ahmedabad, and the use of schoolgirls as central figures makes it unique.

12. Does the movie have a strong background score?
The background score is minimal but haunting, designed to amplify tension rather than overwhelm.

13. What themes does Vash Level 2 explore?
It explores themes of patriarchy, societal control, possession, and the fragility of innocence.

14. Is there a cliffhanger ending?
Yes, the film leaves space for continuation, keeping the franchise alive.

15. Why should you watch Vash Level 2?
For its bold storytelling, unsettling horror, and its role in pushing Gujarati cinema into national conversations.