Dhadak 2 tries to tackle important themes like caste discrimination and social injustice, but stumbles in its execution.

Though it’s being compared to its predecessor, this sequel is actually a remake of the 2018 Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal. Director Shazia Iqbal stays close to the original’s storyline, following Neelesh (Siddhant Chaturvedi), a lower-caste law student, and Viddhi (Triptii Dimri), an upper-caste classmate who falls for him. Their relationship quickly becomes the target of brutal societal prejudice and family opposition.

The film is slow to find its footing. The first half leans too heavily on a love story that feels forced, lacking the emotional authenticity of the original Dhadak. There’s also too much happening—caste conflict, political undercurrents, and even a deranged killer—all crammed into one narrative. It leaves you wondering if the filmmakers tried to tackle too many issues at once.

However, the second half is a step up. The romance fades into the background and the real issue—caste discrimination—takes center stage. Neelesh begins to fight back, and the tension starts to build. While the film becomes more engaging here, it still struggles with pacing and consistency. The climax, though well-intentioned, feels overly preachy and rushed.

Siddhant Chaturvedi gives a strong performance, especially in the emotional, more intense parts of the film. Triptii Dimri does well with a complex character, though it’s Siddhant who ultimately carries the heavier dramatic load. Zakir Hussain and Saurabh Sachdeva also leave an impression in supporting roles.

The music, featuring multiple composers, doesn’t do much to elevate the narrative—though a few tracks might work as standalone listens.

In the end, Dhadak 2 has its heart in the right place and delivers a few powerful moments. But it’s dragged down by uneven storytelling, an overloaded plot, and a bloated runtime. There’s a much better film buried underneath—it just never fully comes to the surface.