When Bollywood experiments with social issues, the result can either be a cinematic masterpiece or a missed opportunity. Dhadak 2 lands somewhere in between. Directed by Shazia Iqbal, this film is a remake of the critically acclaimed Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal—a story that weaves romance and caste-based realities into an intense social commentary. But does the Hindi version hit the same emotional depth, or does it lose its soul in translation? Let’s dive in.
A Brave Attempt at Socially Relevant Cinema
Bollywood isn’t known for tackling caste discrimination head-on. So, when a film like Dhadak 2 enters theatres, it instantly feels like a refreshing change. Shazia Iqbal, in her directorial debut, deserves credit for bringing a socially conscious southern story to the heart of mainstream Hindi cinema.
However, while the film’s intention is bold, its execution struggles. Instead of pulling you deep into its world, it sometimes feels like it’s explaining caste-based struggles to an audience unfamiliar with the concept—like a lecture rather than a lived experience.
The Plot: Romance Meets Harsh Reality
The movie follows Neelesh (Siddhant Chaturvedi) and Vidhi (Triptii Dimri), two law students whose love story blooms in an academic setting but crashes into the walls of deep-rooted social customs.
At its core, Dhadak 2 is a love story interrupted by caste prejudices that refuse to die. Neelesh carries the burden of centuries-old stigma, while Vidhi, sheltered from such realities, initially sees the world through rose-tinted glasses. Their contrasting lives highlight the tension between innocence and social injustice.
Comparing Dhadak 2 to Pariyerum Perumal
If you’ve seen Pariyerum Perumal, you’ll know it carried a poetic quality—rural backdrops, raw emotions, and a haunting sense of reality. The romance felt fragile yet powerful against the brutal backdrop of caste oppression.
In Dhadak 2, that dreamy atmosphere gets lost in translation. While it moves the story into a more urban, “Dharma Productions-like” world, it loses some of the raw authenticity that made the original unforgettable. The result? A polished but less stirring version of a tale that was once gut-wrenchingly real.
Characters That Almost Work
One of the film’s biggest strengths is its cast:
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Siddhant Chaturvedi delivers a heartfelt performance as Neelesh, torn between ambition and identity. His quiet pain feels genuine.
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Triptii Dimri plays Vidhi with bubbly charm, but at times her innocence feels exaggerated to the point of being frustrating.
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Harish Khanna, as Vidhi’s lawyer father, brings subtle emotional weight, while Saurabh Sachdeva shines menacingly as a self-proclaimed guardian of caste “purity.”
Sadly, while the actors do their best, the script doesn’t allow their emotional arcs to fully bloom.
A Missed Opportunity for Deeper Social Commentary
The film introduces crucial themes—caste politics, identity struggles, and systemic discrimination—but only skims the surface. For example:
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When Neelesh is targeted for being from the “quota,” the film fails to show him using the tools of legal resistance his mother wanted him to learn.
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Instead of powerful activism, Neelesh remains passive, which robs the story of a potentially powerful moment of defiance.
The film could have been a sharp commentary on how caste still infiltrates urban spaces, but instead, it plays it too safe.
The Romance: Lacking Emotional Punch
In Sairat (and even the first Dhadak), music and passion drove the romance. Here, however, the soundtrack underwhelms, and the love story never feels as sweeping or intense as it should.
Neelesh’s hesitation to fully embrace Vidhi—frozen by the weight of untouchability—is a brilliant concept. But instead of exploring this emotional barrier deeply, the film simply brushes past it. By the time Vidhi realizes caste is the real villain in her story, the impact feels muted.
Strong Second Half, But Too Little Too Late
The film truly finds its footing only in the second half, where ambition, identity, and conflict collide. Siddhant Chaturvedi shines in these moments, delivering quiet intensity that almost saves the narrative. But by then, much of the emotional damage has been done.
What Works in Dhadak 2
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Brave subject matter: A mainstream film tackling caste deserves praise.
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Performances: Siddhant Chaturvedi and Saurabh Sachdeva elevate the script.
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Director’s intent: Shazia Iqbal’s vision is ambitious and socially relevant.
What Doesn’t Work
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Emotional disconnect: The story explains rather than immerses you in its world.
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Weak music: Unlike the first film, there’s no memorable soundtrack to heighten emotions.
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Underdeveloped activism angle: Neelesh’s refusal to fight back undermines his character arc.
Final Verdict: Worth Watching, But Manage Expectations
Dhadak 2 is a film with its heart in the right place but struggles to match the haunting beauty and emotional intensity of its source material. It is an important film because it brings caste conversations into the mainstream, but as a cinematic experience, it remains uneven.
If you’re looking for a movie that blends romance with social commentary, give it a watch. Just don’t expect it to leave you shaken the way Pariyerum Perumal did.
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Conclusion
In the end, Dhadak 2 is like a painting with bold outlines but faint colors. The message is clear, the performances are sincere, and the direction is brave—but the emotional resonance gets lost in translation. Still, for Bollywood to even attempt such a subject is progress. And maybe, just maybe, it will open doors for more daring, authentic storytelling in the future.
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