Honestly, sequels usually feel like a desperate cash grab. You know the vibe—the original was a sleeper hit, so the studio panics and tries to bottle lightning twice. But The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is kind of different. Released in 2015, it didn't just try to redo the first movie; it doubled down on the idea that being "old" doesn't mean you're finished.
It’s been over a decade since the first group of British retirees landed in Jaipur, and yet, the sequel still holds up as a weirdly comforting masterclass in ensemble acting. You’ve got Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Bill Nighy basically just being legends on screen. It’s colorful. It’s noisy. It’s got Richard Gere as a "silver fox" mystery guest.
What Actually Happens in the Second Movie?
Basically, Sonny (Dev Patel) is stressed. Very stressed. He’s trying to expand his empire because the original hotel only has one vacancy left. He wants to buy a second property, which he ambitiously calls "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."
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While Sonny is busy spiraling over a secret hotel inspector and his upcoming wedding to Sunaina (Tina Desai), the residents are dealing with their own "life piled on life" moments.
Evelyn (Judi Dench) and Douglas (Bill Nighy) are in this agonizingly slow-burn romance. They’re nearly 80 and still acting like teenagers who are too shy to ask each other out. It’s sweet, but also kinda frustrating to watch. Meanwhile, Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) has moved from being the bitter outsider to the co-manager and the secret glue holding the whole chaotic mess together.
The Richard Gere Factor
Then there’s Guy Chambers. Richard Gere shows up as this American writer who Sonny is convinced is an undercover inspector for a big US hotel chain. Sonny basically throws his own mother (Lillete Dubey) at the guy to get a good review.
It’s classic farce territory. Does it feel a bit like a sitcom? Yeah, sometimes. But when you have this level of talent, even the "middling" plot points feel premium.
The Real Locations You Can Actually Visit
One of the coolest things about The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is that the "Marigold Hotel" isn't a film set in a Hollywood backlot. It’s a real place.
The main hotel used in the films is called Ravla Khempur. It’s an equestrian heritage hotel about an hour and a half away from Udaipur. If you go there, you can actually stay in the rooms where the characters lived. It’s a 17th-century palace that belonged to a tribal chieftain. It’s not quite as "crumbling" as it looks in the movies—the filmmakers added some fake distressed paint and extra clutter to make it look more atmospheric.
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Other Key Spots in Jaipur
- Castle Kanota: This stood in for the "Viceroy Club" where the characters hang out. It’s actually a heritage hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur.
- Panna Meena ka Kund: Remember that stunning stepwell with the yellow-gold steps? That’s an 11th-century site near the Amber Fort.
- Pearl Palace Heritage: This guest house in Jaipur was actually used for many of the interior shots of the "second" hotel Sonny wants to buy.
Why the Soundtrack is a Hidden Gem
Thomas Newman returned for the sequel, and he basically created a "musical synthesis." He mixed heavy Western orchestral strings with Indian sitars, tablas, and vocals.
It’s not just background noise. The score is busy. It’s "pizzicato" and whimsical. But it also features massive Bollywood tracks. You’ve got "Ye Ishq Hai" from the movie Jab We Met and "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom." The movie ends with this huge dance number that feels earned because it’s a celebration of survival as much as it is a wedding.
The Bittersweet Ending Nobody Admits is Sad
Most people remember the movie as a "feel-good" fluff piece. Honestly? The ending is a bit of a gut punch if you’re paying attention.
Muriel Donnelly, played by the late, great Maggie Smith, is clearly reaching the end of her journey. There’s a scene where she’s watching the wedding, knowing her time is short, and her final voiceover is one of the most poignant bits of dialogue in modern cinema. She talks about how there’s no such thing as an ending—just a place where you leave the story.
It’s a reminder that while the movie looks like a travelogue, it’s actually about mortality. It’s about the fact that you can start a new job at 79 (like Evelyn) or find a new love when you’re "over the hill."
The Numbers: Was it a Hit?
Budget-wise, the movie was a steal. It cost about $10 million to make.
Worldwide, it pulled in over $85 million.
While it didn't quite reach the $136 million heights of the first film, it was still a massive success for Fox Searchlight. People wanted to see these characters again. They wanted the "comfort food" of Jaipur’s colors and the bickering of British dames.
Actionable Tips for Fans
If you’re planning to revisit the world of the Marigold Hotel, here’s how to do it right:
- Watch them back-to-back: The sequel starts mere months after the first. Seeing the transition of Muriel from a racist recluse to a beloved manager is much more powerful when you see the arc in one go.
- Listen for the "Newman" motifs: Thomas Newman uses specific instruments for specific characters. Notice the woodwinds for Evelyn and the chaotic percussion for Sonny.
- Visit the "Real" Hotel: If you’re traveling to India, book a night at Ravla Khempur. It’s a heritage stay, so don't expect 5-star Hilton luxury—expect the "Exotic" experience the movie promises.
- Pay attention to the background: The directors used real crowds in Jaipur. The bus scenes? Those are actual busy streets, not closed-off sets.
The movie reminds us that "everything will be alright in the end, and if it's not alright, it's not yet the end." That’s not just a cute quote; it’s the entire philosophy of the franchise. It’s about showing up, even when you’re late to the party.
To get the most out of your viewing, look past the "silver hair" comedy and watch the subtle facial expressions of Bill Nighy and Judi Dench. Their chemistry is built on decades of real-life friendship, and it shows in every frame.