Dhadak 2 Review: Siddhant Chaturvedi & Triptii Dimri stun in Bollywood’s boldest love story yet. Explore the film’s plot, performances & emotional impact.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
A Love Story That Dares to Challenge Expectations
When Dhadak dropped in 2018, it opened the door to discussions about love across class divides. Fast forward to 2025, and Dhadak 2 not only continues the dialogue but confronts it. Starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, this spiritual successor to the original film is set in a bold and darker space—caste discrimination and resistance in modern-day India.
Dhadak 2, directed by Shazia Iqbal, throws out the glossy love story in favour of stubborn realism, complex multi-faceted storytelling, and unapologetic honesty in a messy historical context—Dhadak 2 is potentially one of the boldest love stories that Bollywood has committed to telling in recent years.
Plot Summary: When Love Meets Resistance
A film around social issues should have two qualities, ie, bravery in story telling & honesty in performances! #Dhadak2 has both brimming to the T 💙
— Amar Singh Rathore (@amarsr_1990) July 31, 2025
Everything lands! The performances, the dialogues, the emotional depth, the anger against retaliation & the messaging! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/Rol2qfPimX
Dhadak 2 takes place in a fictional small town in northern India where Dalit student Veer (Siddhant Chaturvedi) falls in love with upper-caste girl Asha (Triptii Dimri) as they both attend law college at a government university. Their love develops slowly and quietly into a potent challenge to the socially enforced hierarchy.
Although their chemistry is undeniable, the film does not allow viewers to escape from the place in which they exist. This is not simply a love story—it is a confrontation.
Heavy Themes:
Caste vs Class: The sequel to Dhadak emphasizes the caste system in India by showcasing systemic oppression, institutional discrimination, and societal violence.
Modern vs Traditional: This film juxtaposes educated, urban youth with the prejudices of the older generation.
Love as Rebellion: In Dhadak 2, love is a form of rebellion, and it is used as a weapon against social injustices.
Performance Evaluation – Siddhant and Triptii Shining:
Siddhant Chaturvedi as Veer
Chaturvedi gives the single-best performance of his career – raw, restrained, and radical. It was remarkable to see the emotional vulnerability, the quiet anger, the nuance of capturing the inner turmoil of a man who is struggling to survive while also struggling to rebel.
Triptii Dimri as Asha
Triptii and Chaturvedi have incredible expressive, soulful, and kinesthetic chemistry. She is vulnerable yet a warrior when playing Asha – the real protagonist in this love story, a partner-in-crime, well, in rebellion, and social conscience.
The two of them feel organic, unrefined, and deeply affecting.
Directing & Screenplay – A Raw Vision from Shazia Iqbal
Shazia Iqbal (Bebaak) takes a documentary-style approach to direct Dhadak 2, which is a punchy, gritty, and poetic depiction of rawness. Didn’t think Iqb’s direction leaned on melodramatic; instead, they focused on the visceral reality in a documentary style. The scope of emotions in Dhadak 2 was anchored through very raw, silent stares or street protests, where every frame is layered enough to allow the framing of reality to speak for itself.
The screenplay—situated somewhere between Dhadak and Pariyerum Perumal—is riddled with visual symbolism; it incorporates blue Ambedkarite flags, red graffiti, and closed classroom doors, which enhance the message without detracting from the emotional resonance of the film.
Cinematography and Music: Less polish, and more grit.
Visuals
Avinash Arun (Masaan, Paatal Lok) is the cinematographer and creates a somewhat claustrophobic but poetic world, in which hostels and courtrooms, and the campus canteen are all battlefields.
Music
The soundtrack—by Amit Trivedi—while understated, is also haunting. “Manzil Nahin”, and “Pukaar” draw parallels between protest poetry and melancholic romance, while creating a highly emotional soundscape.
Strengths of the film
Captures authentic experience with caste dynamics
Excellent lead performances
Confidently directed
Creative storytelling, favouring impact over glamour
Brave messaging in a mainstream space
Weaknesses and Missed notes
No film is without its flaws. At times, Dhadak 2 feels a little too raw; it has very little exposition, which could potentially alienate viewers. Some of the secondary characters feel underdeveloped, and while the ending is poignant, it feels relatively rushed.
However, none of these issues detracts from the larger purpose of the film. If anything, they add urgency.
Cultural Significance: Why Dhadak 2 is important, right now
There is something refreshing about a film that seems to be at the mercy of formulas and hypotheticals, while the broader Bollywood landscape often opts to play it safe. Dhadak 2 makes a brave gesture to exist outside of what is conventionally acceptable—situating itself neatly as a commercial love story.
Real-World Impact: Conversations That Go Beyond The Screen
Caste-based violence remains a serious issue for India. According to a report from the National Crime Records Bureau released in 2023, atrocities against Dalits increased by 15%.
Bollywood’s representation of caste issues has primarily been superficial, but Dhadak 2 is breaking that trend.
Film clubs and universities in India have already started panel discussions around the film.
Final Verdict: Go see it if you want a deeper insight
Dhadak 2 isn’t just a film, it’s a statement. While cinemas blare out escape, Dhadak 2 dares to allow us to see love where it is the hardest to survive. The central pair’s (Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri) gut-wrenching performances elevated an already strong script, and Shazia Iqbal manages to have the messages and themes resonate beyond the closing credits.
FAQs
1. Is Dhadak 2 a full sequel to the 2018 film Dhadak?
No, it’s more of a spiritual successor rather than a sequel. Dhadak was more focused on class, while Dhadak 2 is less subtle in addressing caste.
2. Is Dhadak 2 based on a true story?
It’s inspired by true issues in society. There are thematic similarities to the Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal.
3. Is it possible to see Dhadak 2 without having seen the first one?
Absolutely, for the two stories are independent and have no bearing on each other.
4. What age is Dhadak 2 meant for?
Adult themes, emotions, and coding will make it ideal for 16 downwards.
5. What makes Siddhant Chaturvedi’s performance stand out?
The subtlety and grounded nature of his acting, with layers of emotional depth, bring a needed realism to a rather complicated character.
6. Is the film on any OTT platform?
Theaters are the sole mode of release right now. Looking at an OTT release in about October 2025.
