Dhadak 2 Movie Review: Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri Shine in a Film Full of Purpose, But Lacking Focus

Dhadak 2 unexpectedly echoes 3 Idiots in two key moments—striking, given their entirely different tones. First, Siddhant Chaturvedi’s character repeats Rancho’s haunting line from 3 Idiots: “Yeh suicide nahi, murder tha,” in a similarly staged scene. Later, the film’s narrative incoherence evokes the same frustration as when Boman Irani’s professor blurts, “Arre kehna kya chahte ho?” That sentiment lingers throughout much of Dhadak 2.

Like its predecessor, Dhadak 2 is a remake—this time of the powerful 2018 Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal. Director Shazia Iqbal largely sticks to the original, offering a grounded depiction of caste-based discrimination and social injustice.

The Premise

Neelesh (Siddhant Chaturvedi), a lower-caste law student, finds himself drawn to Viddhi (Triptii Dimri), an upper-caste classmate. She pursues him, but he’s reluctant—he knows too well the consequences of crossing caste lines. Her family reacts with hostility and humiliation, forcing Neelesh to retreat. But Viddhi refuses to let go. What follows is a test of conviction, courage, and consequence. Will their love endure, or meet the same tragic fate as the couple in the first Dhadak?

A Wobbly Start

The film stumbles early. It struggles to establish its tone, spending too much time building a romantic arc that feels more forced than heartfelt. The chemistry between the leads never quite clicks, despite earnest writing from Iqbal and Rahul Badwelkar. Ironically, the first Dhadak, despite its flaws, captured youthful romance more convincingly.

Overcrowded with Conflict

Dhadak 2 suffers from narrative overload. Caste violence, political undertones, and even a psychopathic killer hunting inter-caste couples all compete for space. The film often feels bloated, unsure of what thread to prioritize. You start to ask: how much conflict is too much?

A Stronger Second Half

The second half is where Dhadak 2 finds its footing. The love story fades, and the focus shifts to caste discrimination and social resistance. Neelesh fights back, and the tension builds. These moments—raw, direct, and emotionally charged—offer glimpses of the powerful film this could have been. A subplot on women’s rights also enters, though it feels somewhat underdeveloped.

Editing and Execution Fall Short

At 145 minutes, the film overstays its welcome. Editors Omkar Uttam Sakpal and Sangeeth Varghese could have trimmed at least 20 minutes. The climax becomes heavy-handed with its messaging, diluting its impact. Though the film gestures toward hope in the end, the resolution feels hurried and underwhelming.

Performances & Technical Aspects

Siddhant Chaturvedi anchors the film with a strong performance, capturing the pain and quiet rage of someone crushed by systemic inequality. Triptii Dimri brings depth to a role caught between rebellion and familial loyalty. Supporting actors like Zakir Hussain (as the college principal) and Saurabh Sachdeva (as the antagonist) also leave an impression.

The music by Rochak Kohli, Tanishk Bagchi, Javed Mohsin, and Shreyas Puranik is passable—better suited to playlists than the film’s intense tone.

Final Verdict

Dhadak 2

Dhadak 2 unexpectedly echoes 3 Idiots in two key moments—striking, given their entirely different tones. First, Siddhant Chaturvedi’s character repeats Rancho’s haunting line from 3 Idiots: “Yeh suicide nahi, murder tha,” in a similarly staged scene. Later, the film’s narrative incoherence evokes the same frustration as when Boman Irani’s professor blurts, “Arre kehna kya chahte ho?” That sentiment lingers throughout much of Dhadak 2.