Dhadak 2 is a Hindi romantic drama directed by Shazia Iqbal, a spiritual sequel to the 2018 film Dhadak and a remake of the Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal (2018). Produced by Dharma Productions, Zee Studios, and Cloud9 Studio, it tackles themes of caste, identity, and societal barriers through an intense love story. Below is a detailed overview of the film’s release date, trailer, songs, cast, and box office performance based on available information.
Release Date
- Theatrical Release: Dhadak 2 was released in theaters across India on August 1, 2025.
- OTT Release: The film is expected to be available on streaming platforms like Netflix approximately 60 days after its theatrical run, likely around October 2025.
Originally slated for November 2024, the release was postponed to March 2025 due to certification delays but was later finalized for August 1, 2025.
Trailer
- The official trailer for Dhadak 2 was released on July 15, 2025, showcasing a powerful and emotionally charged narrative. It highlights the intense love story between two law students, Neelesh and Vidhi, facing societal challenges due to caste differences. The trailer was well-received for its raw and authentic portrayal of the leads’ chemistry and the film’s bold social commentary.
- Key elements include Siddhant Chaturvedi’s character confronting multiple challenges with resilience and Triptii Dimri’s emotionally intense performance. The trailer sets a gritty tone, distinct from the glossier Dhadak (2018).
- A promotional teaser was also released on May 15, 2025, introducing the characters with a musical backdrop.
Songs
The music for Dhadak 2 is composed by Rochak Kohli, Tanishk Bagchi, Javed-Mohsin, Hesham Abdul Wahab, and Shreyas Puranik, with lyrics by Rashmi Virag, Siddharth–Garima, Gurpreet Saini, and Ozil Dalal. The songs have received a decent response but haven’t created significant buzz compared to the trailer. The released singles are:
- “Bas Ek Dhadak” – Released on July 16, 2025, described as a love anthem featuring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri.
- “Preet Re” – Released on July 21, 2025, with vocals by Darshan Raval and Jonita Gandhi, composed by Rochak Kohli.
- “Duniya Alag” – Released on July 28, 2025, adding to the film’s emotional and cinematic soundscape.
The songs are noted for enhancing the film’s emotional depth, though they haven’t been chart-toppers.
Cast
The film features a strong ensemble cast, with the following key actors:
- Siddhant Chaturvedi as Neelesh, a lower-caste law student who faces societal oppression.
- Triptii Dimri as Vidhisha (Vidhi), an upper-caste law student who falls in love with Neelesh.
- Supporting Cast: Saurabh Sachdeva, Zakir Hussain, Deeksha Joshi (as Vidhi’s sister Nimisha), Vipin Sharma, Saad Bilgrami, Manjiri Pupala, Richa, Harish Khanna, Mayank Khanna, Aditya Thakare, Shantanu Pandey, Bala, Priyank Tiwari, Amit Jaat, and Ashwant Lodhi.
The performances, particularly by Chaturvedi and Dimri, have been widely praised for their emotional intensity and authenticity. Critics have highlighted Chaturvedi’s raw portrayal and Dimri’s compelling depiction of a complex character.
Box Office
- Budget: The film was made with an estimated budget of ₹70 crore.
- Day 1 Collection: Dhadak 2 earned approximately ₹3.10–3.50 crore net in India on its opening day (August 1, 2025), with a Hindi occupancy rate of 22.85% across theaters. Morning shows had 15.02% occupancy, while night shows reached 32.07%.
- Day 2 Collection: Early estimates suggest the film earned around ₹3.75 crore net in India on its second day (August 2, 2025).
- Worldwide Collection: As of Day 1, the worldwide gross was reported at ₹5 crore, with overseas and total gross figures still pending.
- Advance Bookings: By August 1, 2025, Dhadak 2 sold approximately 18,000 tickets across major cinema chains, trailing behind its competitor Son of Sardaar 2, which sold around 28,000 tickets.
- Performance Context: The film faced a competitive box office landscape, clashing with Son of Sardaar 2 and competing with the ongoing success of Saiyaara, 2025’s biggest Bollywood hit overseas. Modest advance bookings and lukewarm pre-release buzz due to the trailer and music suggest the film relies heavily on positive reviews and word-of-mouth for sustained performance.
- Verdict: The box office verdict is still pending, but early estimates indicate a decent but not blockbuster start. The film’s long-term success will depend on weekend performance and audience reception.
Additional Notes
- Plot Summary: Dhadak 2 follows Neelesh (Siddhant Chaturvedi), a lower-caste law student, and Vidhi (Triptii Dimri), an upper-caste classmate, who fall in love despite societal barriers. Their relationship faces challenges, particularly when Neelesh attends Vidhi’s sister’s wedding and encounters a shocking event, driving the narrative toward a hard-hitting climax. The film addresses casteism, classism, and systemic injustice.
- Critical Reception: The film has received generally positive reviews, with praise for its performances, bold themes, and Shazia Iqbal’s direction. However, some critics noted an uneven narrative, repetitive screenplay, and an underdeveloped romantic arc compared to the Tamil original Pariyerum Perumal. Ratings range from 2.5/5 to 4/5 stars.
- Comparison to Original: As a remake, Dhadak 2 has been compared to Pariyerum Perumal. While some appreciate its emotional recreation and sharper characters, others feel it falls short of the original’s raw intensity.
- CBFC Certification: The film underwent 16 cuts by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) before release.