Dhadak 2 Review: A Bold Take on Casteism with Powerful Performances by Siddhant & Triptii

Dhadak 2 Review: If names could speak, in India they scream caste. Say your full name, and suddenly you’re no longer just a person—you’re a social category. That’s the bitter reality ‘Dhadak 2’ dives headfirst into, blending a love story with the deep scars of casteism.

Dhadak 2 Review / The Plot: When a Name Becomes a Burden

Neelesh, played by the brilliant Siddhant Chaturvedi, is a law student terrified of saying his last name — Ahirwar. Because the moment he does, the invisible walls of caste surround him. His neighborhood? Also a secret. He knows people will judge. Enter Vidhi, played by the ever-powerful Triptii Dimri. She’s from a Brahmin family but sees beyond caste — she values humanity more than hierarchy.

More Than a Love Story: A Gut-Punch to Society

Inspired by the acclaimed Tamil film ‘Pariyerum Perumal’, Dhadak 2 doesn’t stop at just inter-caste love. It calls out the deep-rooted caste-based discrimination, even within the same caste. One Brahmin family eats meat and is shunned by another. Who decides these rules? The film asks, and rightfully so.

There’s also a strong reference to the Rohith Vemula case, when a Dalit student’s fellowship is cancelled for speaking out. It’s not subtle — it’s a reminder of the deadly price of injustice.

 College, Caste, and Chaos

Set in a law college (presumably Bhopal), Neelesh and Vidhi’s romance unfolds under the shadow of reservation debates, discrimination, and humiliation. Neelesh’s reality is brutal — from being pissed on, to literal muck thrown at him. His mantra becomes: maaro ya maro (fight or die trying).

 The Good, the Bold, and the Missed Opportunities

Shazia Iqbal, in her directorial debut, deserves applause for taking on these themes with courage. She crafts a world where casteism isn’t just a subplot — it’s the villain. The cinematography and editing? Top-notch. You’ll feel the grime and the glory.

Siddhant Chaturvedi delivers his best performance yet. You can feel Neelesh’s pain, pride, and fire. Triptii Dimri is a strong presence, although their chemistry sometimes feels more scripted than spontaneous. Their love story, while essential to the plot, doesn’t pack the emotional punch it aims for.

Saurabh Sachdeva as a hate-spewing vigilante, Vipin Sharma as Neelesh’s cross-dressing father, and Zakir Hussain as a supportive college principal—all leave their mark. But some scenes, especially the emotionally loaded ones, lack the hard-hitting edge you’d expect. Just when you’re bracing for impact, the film pulls its punches.

 Music & Technicals

While technically strong, especially in visuals and editing, the music is a letdown. With names like Javed-Mohsin and Rochak Kohli on the list, you’d expect soul-stirring tracks. But the songs fail to elevate the mood or deepen the narrative.

 What Works (and What Doesn’t):

• Powerful themes: Casteism, feminism, classism, gender identity — all tackled with intent
• Strong performances, especially by Siddhant
• Visually engaging, gritty atmosphere
• Romantic track lacks emotional depth
• Missed opportunity to land a stronger impact

 Dialogues That Linger

In one haunting scene, a group discusses cannibalism — and someone says, “Agar Dalit hota toh koi chhoota tak nahi” (If it was a Dalit, no one would’ve even touched him). It’s meant to pierce your soul. But the film moves on too quickly, not letting that truth truly hit home.

Vidhi says, “Mujhe laga yeh sab sirf gaon mein hota hai” — a line that reflects many urban viewers’ denial. And Neelesh’s cry — “Can’t you see how things are?” — isn’t just for her. It’s a call-out to all of us.

 Final Verdict

Dhadak 2 is no ordinary sequel. It leaves behind the dreamy tone of the original and dives deep into India’s caste divides. It’s brave, urgent, and timely, but it doesn’t always land its punches the way it should. Still, it’s far more relevant and impactful than the glossy original.

If only it had gone a bit further, stayed longer on the pain, and let the silences scream.

🎬 Film: Dhadak 2 (2025)
🎥 Director: Shazia Iqbal
🎭 Cast: Triptii Dimri, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Zakir Hussain, Saurabh Sachdeva, Vipin Sharma
🎶 Music: Javed-Mohsin, Rochak Kohli, Shreyas Puranik
🕒 Runtime: 2h 26min
🎟️ Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
📽️ Certificate: UA (For viewers above 16)

👉 Worth Watching?
Yes — for the message, for Siddhant’s powerful performance, and for daring to speak what many won’t. Just don’t expect it to shake you to your core.