Co-produced by Karan Johar, Dhadak 2 reimagines the 2018 film Dhadak with a grittier, more realistic lens. Starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri in the lead, the trailer of Dhadak 2 hinted at an intense love story. Is Dhadak 2 a worthy sequel to Ishaan Khatter-Janhvi Kapoor’s Dhadak? Read our review of the Dhadak 2 movie to find out.

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Dhadak 2 movie: The plot

The movie traces the life of Neelesh Ahirwar aka Neelesh BA LLB, a young Dalit man. He dares to change his underprivileged community’s situation in society by securing a seat at the National University of Law. But he also vows in front of the university’s Principal to never get involved in politics. Even though Neelesh gets here through dedication and intellect, everyone around him struggles to ignore his caste. This eventually pushes him into the very politics he tried to avoid at all costs.

And that’s when Neelesh meets Vidhi Bharadwaj, his batchmate at the university. While every other person feels like a walking reminder of a forbidden existence to Neelesh, Vidhi only loves him for who he is. What starts as a friendship between the two turns into an undeniable romantic chemistry. Vidhi wants to introduce Neelesh to his father. But her brother, a conservative person, tries to provoke their father. He even makes Neelesh’s life miserable. Will Vidhi convince her family to accept this perceived unequal match? Will Neelesh and Vidhi’s love overpower caste, class and other rigid societal norms?

Dhadak 2 movie review: Real and intense

Directed by Shazia Iqbal, Dhadak 2 is hauntingly beautiful as it portrays the age-old caste system that we still struggle to wipe out. The film doesn’t try too hard to address this social issue; it represents it in each frame. Neither does it entirely rely on a love story to portray it, as the film is about Neelesh more than his relationship with Vidhi. Sure, their bond sets the momentum for the movie, but Dhadak 2 centres the plot on the hardships Neelesh and the Dalit community face each second of their existence.

The intentional use of blue, Dr BR Ambedkar’s photographs, scenes of gore, mud, the hierarchical seating of the class and other motifs reflect the brutal reality of the Dalit community. That’s also why individuals like Neelesh try to escape their identity as others push them to the extremes of society. His family, friends and the university principal motivate him to fight for what’s rightfully his. But the constant threats only make his life difficult.

The background score of Dhadak 2 softens the fierce plot whenever it’s required. The explicit violence against the Dalit community elevates the movie’s core theme. But the film does have its weak points. Even though Dhadak 2 delivers a much-needed social message, it takes too long to drive the point home.

Dhadak 2 cast: Each character leaves a lasting impact

Even though Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri lead the movie, each actor in Dhadak 2 performs brilliantly. Siddhant as Neelesh makes Dhadak 2 a gripping watch. He makes you feel each emotion Neelesh feels. Siddhant’s raw acting delivers an unforgettable performance. Triptii too is honest in the movie. However, her potential was comparatively underused as one of the main leads.

Priyank Tiwari plays Shekhar in the movie, who lives to fight for the Dalit community. He stands out as an underrated actor who will leave you amazed. Vipin Sharma, who’s most loved for his role in Taare Zameen Par, plays Neelesh’s father in Dhadak 2. His role is small but quite impactful. Saurabh Sachdeva, the fanatical Shankar in Dhadak 2, is beautifully frustrating to watch. His character is shady and obnoxious, and you’ll love how he aces the role of a villain. Other supporting actors include Zakir Hussain, Harish Khanna, Saad Bilgrami, Manjiri Pupala, and Deeksha Joshi, among others.

Dhadak 2 is now running in theatres.

Can you watch Dhadak 2 with family? No, there are explicit scenes of violence and gore that are not suitable for children. There are also some scenes of intimacy.

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