Dhadak 2 Movie Review, Star Cast & Box‑Office Collection

Movie Name : Dhadak 2

Release Date: August 1, 2025
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Lead Cast: Triptii Dimri, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Production Houses: Dharma Productions, Zee Studios, Cloud 9 Pictures
Runtime: 146 minutes
Certification: U/A 16+
Language: Hindi
Genre: Romantic Social Drama

Introduction

After the 2018 film Dhadak stirred hearts and sparked conversations on love across caste boundaries, Dhadak 2 returns with a bolder, grittier, and more socially charged narrative. This time, the film breaks away from glossy romance and digs deep into the realities of caste discrimination, student activism, and identity.

The film, which was directed by Shazia Iqbal, is starring Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi in strong lead roles. Unlike its predecessor, Dhadak 2 isn’t just a love story; it’s a statement. Here’s everything you need to know about Dhadak 2—from reviews and performances to box office performance and audience reactions.

Plot Overview

The main characters in Dhadak 2 are Vidhi, an upper-caste girl from a traditional, wealthy family, and Neelesh, a young Dalit law student and folk percussionist. At college, where a mutual love of music develops into something more, their lives come together. But the course of their love story isn’t a fairy tale.

Set in a central Indian college town, the film depicts how caste prejudices, family pressures, and societal expectations begin to corrode their relationship. Things take a dangerous turn when Vidhi’s family tries to violently separate them, leading to a brutal assault on Neelesh during her sister’s wedding.

The second half of the film dives into student protests, legal battles, and social awakening, with Neelesh emerging as a young voice against systemic oppression. Meanwhile, Vidhi struggles between family loyalty and love, leading to a heartbreaking yet empowering climax.

Star Cast and Their Performances

Triptii Dimri as Vidhi

Triptii plays the role of Vidhi with quiet strength. Her transformation—from a naïve college girl to a woman who questions deep-rooted biases—is heartfelt and believable. Many critics have called this her career-best performance, praising her subtle expressions, body language, and emotional depth.

Siddhant Chaturvedi as Neelesh

Siddhant delivers a power-packed performance as Neelesh. His portrayal of pain, rage, and resilience is raw and moving. From playing soulful music to confronting injustice, his character goes through a massive evolution, and Siddhant portrays each layer with finesse.

Supporting Cast

• Zakir Hussain as the wise and empathetic college principal, who mentors Neelesh.
• Vipin Sharma as Neelesh’s father, a struggling folk artist who becomes a voice of resilience.
• Saurabh Sachdeva plays a contract killer hired to silence Neelesh—cold, menacing, and convincing.
• Deeksha Joshi, Saad Bilgrami, and others round off the ensemble with solid performances, particularly in protest and courtroom scenes.

Direction and Screenplay

Shazia Iqbal, in her directorial debut, deserves applause for tackling a sensitive subject with honesty and boldness. The film is inspired by the Tamil masterpiece “Pariyerum Perumal”, and Iqbal ensures the essence of that film remains intact while adapting it to a Hindi-speaking North Indian setting.

The screenplay, co-written by Rahul Badwelkar, is emotionally charged. The college campus scenes feel authentic, the caste-based microaggressions are disturbingly real, and the love story is poignant without being melodramatic.

However, some critics felt the pacing—especially in the second half—could have been tighter. At 146 minutes, the film occasionally meanders, especially during extended protest montages.

Music and Cinematography

Music Directors: Rochak Kohli, Tanishk Bagchi, Javed-Mohsin, and Shreyas Puranik
Lyrics: Rashmi Virag, Gurpreet Saini, Siddharth-Garima, Ozil Dalal

Dhadak 2’s music isn’t dependent on hits. Instead, it complements the narrative—soulful, emotional, and thought-provoking. Songs like “Bas Ek Dhadak”, “Preet Re”, and “Duniya Alag” stand out for their subtle compositions and meaningful lyrics.

The surprise element is a classic Kishore Kumar track used in a crucial emotional scene, adding nostalgic depth.

Cinematographer Sylvester Fonseca captures the contrast between urban campuses and rural outskirts beautifully. The color palette is earthy and raw, giving the film a grounded, realistic look.

Editing and Visual Treatment

The editing by Charu Shree Roy, Omkar Uttam Sakpal, and Sangeeth Varghese manages to hold the emotional beats well, though the runtime could have been trimmed by 15–20 minutes to maintain narrative momentum.

There’s no glossy Jaipur backdrop here—only muddy streets, lecture halls, protest grounds, and tense family homes. The realism adds to the film’s credibility.

Box Office Performance

Advance Booking & Opening Day

Dhadak 2 sold around 18,000 tickets across India’s top cinema chains (PVR, INOX, Cinepolis) on Day 1. While the number is lower compared to other big-budget releases like Son of Sardaar 2, it’s a decent figure considering its serious tone and niche subject.

Competition

At the box office, Saiyaara, Mahavatar Narsimha, and a few regional hits presented fierce competition for the movie. However, collections are anticipated to increase throughout the weekend due to strong word-of-mouth.

Projected Lifetime Collections

Though it’s too early to confirm, industry trackers estimate a domestic gross of ₹35–₹45 crore if the film sustains through Week 2. If it performs well in metropolitan cities and among college audiences, the number could go even higher.

Audience and Social Media Reactions

Audiences on social platforms have largely praised the film for:

✅ Bold storytelling on caste and identity
✅ Heartfelt performances, especially from Triptii and Siddhant
✅ Meaningful dialogues and emotional resonance
✅ Realistic college environment and protest scenes

Some viewers did mention that the movie felt emotionally heavy and slightly slow-paced in the middle, but most agreed it’s a film that makes you think, and such cinema deserves support.

Strengths and Weaknesses

✅ What Works

• Powerful and grounded performances
• Timely and important social message
• Honest and non-commercial treatment
• Soulful music that complements the story
• Strong direction from a debut filmmaker

❌ What Could Have Been Better

• Slightly long and uneven in pacing
• Limited commercial appeal (not for everyone)
• Predictable climax in parts
• Underwhelming romantic chemistry in the first half

Should You Watch Dhadak 2?

If you’re looking for a film with heart, courage, and a purpose, Dhadak 2 is a must-watch. It’s not your usual Bollywood romantic drama—it’s layered, raw, and relevant. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s certainly a film that leaves a lasting impact.

FAQs About Dhadak 2

Q1. Is Dhadak 2 a direct sequel to Dhadak (2018)?

No.

Q2. Is Dhadak 2 based on a true story?

Dhadak 2 is inspired by the Tamil film “Pariyerum Perumal”, which was based on real social issues. The characters and plot are fictional but rooted in real-world caste dynamics and discrimination.

Q3. Where can I watch Dhadak 2?

As of now, Dhadak 2 is available only in theatres across India. OTT release is expected within 2–3 months depending on box office performance.

Q4. How has the audience responded to the film?

Overall, the audience response has been positive, especially for performances and social message. Some viewers found the pacing slow, but many appreciated the film’s courage and realism.

Q5. Who is the director of Dhadak 2?

Shazia Iqbal

Final Verdict

Dhadak 2 is not your regular popcorn flick. It’s a bold, relevant, and deeply emotional film that dares to question the status quo. With powerful performances from Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi and direction that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, the film is a must-watch for those who value meaningful cinema.

While its box office future depends on word-of-mouth, Dhadak 2 has already won hearts where it matters—in conversations, classrooms, and conscious minds.

Disclaimer

This blog post is based on publicly available information, critic reviews, audience opinions, and trade analysis as of August 2025. Any estimates related to box office collections or reception may evolve over time. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and do not represent any official statement by the producers or associated parties.