After the success of the 2018 film, Dhadak, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions has now expanded the film into a franchise. A spiritual sequel named Dhadak 2, starring Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi, is all set to release on August 1, 2025. However, a special screening was organised for a select few critics. The initial reviews of the Shazia Iqbal-directed film are here. Take a look at all the good and bad aspects of Dhadak 2.
Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi steal the show in Dhadak 2
Triptii Dimri essays the role of ‘Vidhi’, an upper-caste young girl. Siddhant Chaturvedi plays the role of ‘Neelesh’, a boy from an oppressed caste. The film is a remake of the 2018 Tamil film, Pariyerum Perumal. Director, Shazia Iqbal has mirrored the storyline in the Hindi adaptation, however, the film’s flow isn’t as smooth as the original. But the performances of Triptii and Siddhant still manage to engage the audience with the main characters’ love story.
Depicting caste violence and some intensely brutal scenes, the powerful acting of both the lead stars make the film highly emotional and sensitive. Triptii’s acting prowess in Dhadak 2 also reminds one of her initial entry into the film industry with compelling films like Bulbul and Qala. She brings life to the film with her strong performance. Siddhant, on the other hand, does a great job of showcasing a mix of vulnerability and resilience. His portrayal of ‘Neelesh’ makes the viewers feel all of his experiences and discrimination.
Dhadak 2 lacks a clear narrative
Though the remake doesn’t stray away from the storyline of the original Tamil film, the narrative remains unclear due to the screenplay. Even though the film’s core theme is caste discrimination, the director has spent more time on establishing the love story. Almost the entire first half of the film is spent watching ‘Vidhi’ and ‘Neelesh’ fall in love. Although the second half is more gripping, with brutal scenes, a killer on the loose, and conflicts, both halves of the film feel distant for this reason. The narrative suddenly shifts focus from a college love story to intense violence.
Dhadak 2 v/s Dhadak comparison
The first instalment, Dhadak, was released in 2018 and marked the debut of Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter. Meanwhile, Dhadak 2 stars two seasoned actors, Triptii and Siddhant. The second film definitely has better and more compelling acting since both the lead stars have amassed a lot more experience than the two debutants had at the time. However, Ishaan and Janhvi’s chemistry was more charged than that of Triptii and Siddhant. The premise of Dhadak 2, however, is more authentic and hard-hitting, making sure to give a strong social message that was missing from Dhadak until the climax.
Another aspect where the sequel falls short compared to Dhadak is in the music department. Trade analyst and Bollywood insider, Komal Nahta, also highlights this point and says in his critique of Dhadak 2 that the soul of the first film was its songs. The music elevated the storyline of Dhadak and made it memorable. Most of Dhadak 2‘s songs, meanwhile, fail to make a mark among the audience.
There are certain elements where Dhadak 2 works well, and certain aspects where it could have been better. But, in conclusion, it is a good film with an imperfect storyline and is definitely worth a watch since it tackles a very serious issue.
Are you excited to watch Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi in Dhadak 2?
Also Read: ‘Dhadak 2’ Is A Remake Of ‘Pariyerum Perumal’? Plot And Where To Watch Original Tamil Film Revealed