Myself Allen Swapan 2: Not quite the criminal we hoped for

When analysing or reviewing local content, we often face a dilemma— should we evaluate our films and series solely on their own merits, or should we compare them to the historical standard of Bangladeshi productions? 

If it's the latter, then many of our recent works would meet the mark. However, when looking at Bangladeshi releases from the past few years, it's usually the finer aspects of storytelling, screenplay, and acting that stand out as weaknesses. 

The second season of Myself Allen Swapan was no exception—it was fine, just not great enough to keep you counting the days till its third iteration comes along

The first season, which premiered around two years ago, became a massive hit—largely due to its compelling narrative and, most notably, Nasir Uddin Khan's exceptional performance. He played the dual roles of the notorious drug smuggler Allen Swapan and his murdered brother, Shamsur Rahman, all while disguising himself as Shamsur to maintain his cover.

The second season was introduced with the mystery surrounding the 400 crore taka that Allen had accumulated and where the money would ultimately end up. As the season progressed, various characters attempted to stake their claims and devise their own ways of managing the fortune. 

However, the ending of season one teased a major connection—when the 'Syndicate' arrived at Allen Swapan's doorstep, hinting at his reintegration into their storyline. Despite this buildup, the second season does not tie into that climax in any meaningful way.

It starts off with Swapan, of course maintaining his cover of being Shamsur, travelling to Swapan's actual home, to his actual wife, to bury and carry on the rituals of Swapan's son Jadu who was killed off in the first season. 

Subsequently, Swapan meets with the kingpin—the true mastermind behind the drug ring that once operated through him. Their conversation revolves around legitimising the black money, and as the season unfolds, the process of laundering the 400 crore taka, along with the various subplots that emerge from it, becomes the central focus of the entire second season.

The dialogues, delivered in the Chatgaiyya accent, and Nasir Uddin Khan's performance remain just as strong. However, the second season doesn't give Swapan much space to fully embrace his most ruthless, criminal self. In the first season, his cold, soulless demeanour as a hardened criminal was on full display, but in the second, it feels like he's merely going through the motions. 

Rather than evolving, his character is simply an extension of what was already well-established in the first season, without introducing any new layers of menace or complexity. So, for viewers hoping for deeper revelations about Swapan or a next-level portrayal of his character, there isn't much new to discover.

It's crucial for viewers to feel strongly about the supporting characters, and in the first season, they did—especially with Shayla, played by Rafiath Rashid Mithila, and Swapan's deceased son, Jadu. However, this time around, Shayla's role felt much more limited compared to the first season. 

That said, there were moments where Mithila's character showed a growing attraction to the darker side of life, driven by her own desire for a share of the 400 crore taka. This emphasised Swapan's own words to her—that their relationship was purely transactional. For Shayla, claiming a portion of his wealth became her way of securing a future and a home for herself and her daughter.

Disha, played by Xefer Rahman, was a new character introduced this season, but once again, she wasn't someone the average viewer would feel deeply invested in. When incorporating amateur actors into roles that naturally suit them, it's crucial to make the transition seamless—and in that regard, Xefer's casting wasn't out of place.

The lifestyle, attitude, and personality required for Disha's character aligned well with Xefer's real-life persona, and she delivered a solid performance. Her bold, authoritative, and no-nonsense demeanour shone through. However, in the rare moments that demanded emotional depth, her inexperience as an actor became apparent. That said, this wasn't the biggest drawback of the second season.

The climax needs to be talked about. You might expect the season to end on a gripping cliffhanger, but that wasn't the case this time. Instead, it wrapped up in a rather straightforward manner. While simplicity in storytelling isn't inherently a flaw, it does take away some of the tension and excitement that a crime thriller should deliver.

Overall, the second season wasn't disappointing, nor is it likely to drive viewers away from tuning in when the third season eventually arrives. However, given the high anticipation that followed the brilliant first season, it's fair to say that the same level of excitement may not carry over to the next instalment.