It does not entirely take up from where the prequel left off, but goes a few years further in Shoaib's (Akshay Kumar) life, who donned the 'don' mantle after eliminating Sultan (Ajay Devgn) towards the end of the first film.

The political gameplay between the gangs continue, but this time it's personal. Mumtaz (Sonali Bendre), who was Shoaib's lady love in the first film (Prachi Desai and Emraan Hashmi, playing the respective roles) is relegated to the background, when a naïve Jasmine (Sonakshi Sinha) crosses his path. She is a film heroine too, but a debutante. And unlike Sultan's quietly intelligent Rehana (Kangna Ranaut), she is a bit of a dim bulb.

Shoaib's henchman, Aslam (Imran Khan) has his eye on her, but the intentions seem a lot more honourable. What happens when both realise they love the same woman? Throw in some well-executed action scenes, illegal deeds to be done, some excellent banter between characters and you've got a winner on your hands.

'Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara' is a true successor to the prequel. It is bigger, better and more slick. The cast performs well, as a whole. Akshay Kumar doesn't just step into Ajay Devgn/Emraan Hashmi's shoes as the ruling don, he makes them his own. He especially overshadows Imran Khan in any scene where they are together.

Imran Khan makes for a charming city slicker, but looks and sounds too sophi.