On July 11, 2025, Dharma Productions unveiled the trailer for Dhadak 2, a searing romantic drama that has set social media ablaze. Starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, the film, directed by Shazia Iqbal, is a Hindi remake of the 2018 Tamil classic Pariyerum Perumal and a spiritual sequel to 2018’s Dhadak. The three-minute trailer, released under the banners of Dharma Productions, Zee Studios, and Cloud 9 Pictures, dives headfirst into a love story torn apart by caste divides, delivering raw emotion and unflinching social commentary. With its haunting visuals, soulful music, and the palpable chemistry between its leads, Dhadak 2 promises to be a cinematic reckoning when it hits theaters on August 1, 2025. Why has the trailer sparked such fervor, and how does it redefine Bollywood’s approach to love and social justice?
A Love Story Rooted in Reality
Dhadak 2 centers on Neelesh (Siddhant Chaturvedi), a Dalit law student admitted through a reservation quota, and Vidhi (Triptii Dimri), a privileged upper-caste woman. Their romance, which begins with innocent college flirtations, quickly collides with the harsh realities of caste-based discrimination. The trailer opens with a gut-punch dialogue: “Tum mujhse pyaar karti ho na? Toh mujhse door raho” (“You love me, right? Then stay away from me”), Neelesh pleads, highlighting the societal barriers that threaten their bond. Vidhi’s defiant response, “It’s not as hard as you think,” sets the stage for a story of love as an act of rebellion.
Unlike its predecessor Dhadak, a glossy remake of the Marathi film Sairat that was criticized for softening caste issues, Dhadak 2 leans into the gritty realism of its Tamil source material, Pariyerum Perumal. Directed by Mari Selvaraj, the 2018 film was lauded for its unflinching portrayal of caste oppression, and Dhadak 2 aims to carry that intensity into Bollywood. The trailer showcases Neelesh’s struggle against systemic prejudice, from classroom slurs to familial opposition, while Vidhi grapples with her privilege and the cost of defying her family, led by her menacing brother, played by Ashish Chaudhary.
Siddhant and Triptii: A Fresh, Fiery Pair
Siddhant Chaturvedi, known for his breakout role in Gully Boy, brings a quiet intensity to Neelesh, a character shaped by resilience and defiance. His performance, marked by subtle gestures and raw vulnerability, captures the weight of a man fighting for both love and dignity. Triptii Dimri, fresh off Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, embodies Vidhi with a fierce yet tender resolve, her expressive eyes conveying the turmoil of loving against societal norms. Fans on X have raved about their chemistry, with posts like “Sid and Triptii are gonna slay this” and “Triptii is back in form,” reflecting the excitement around their fresh pairing.
The trailer’s emotional depth is amplified by their authentic interplay. Moments of stolen glances and tender defiance contrast with scenes of violence and rejection, creating a narrative that feels both intimate and universal. Siddhant’s small-town roots in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, add authenticity to his portrayal, as he told NDTV, “I come from a small town, and this is my first time exploring such a genre.” Triptii, speaking at the trailer launch, called the role a “challenging” shift into a “mature, socially grounded space,” aligning with her career-long pursuit of meaningful scripts.
Shazia Iqbal’s Bold Vision
Debutante director Shazia Iqbal, known for her acclaimed short in Love Storiyaan, brings a fresh perspective to Dhadak 2. Her adaptation, co-written with Rahul Badwelkar, retains the emotional core of Pariyerum Perumal while tailoring it to a broader Hindi-speaking audience. Iqbal described the film as “an emotional reckoning for today’s youth,” emphasizing its focus on “survival, identity, and what it costs to be true to yourself in a world designed to silence you.” The trailer’s stark visuals—tense classroom confrontations, vibrant college scenes, and haunting shots of societal divide—reflect her ability to blend poetic storytelling with social critique.
The supporting cast, including Vipin Sharma, Manjiri Pupala, Saurabh Sachdeva, and Deeksha Joshi, adds depth, with Sachdeva’s brief but chilling appearance as a family enforcer drawing particular praise. The trailer’s pacing, balancing romance with escalating tension, suggests a film that will resonate with audiences seeking more than a typical love story. Posts on X call it “a major improvement over Dhadak 1,” with fans appreciating its “raw and unfiltered” tone.
A Soundtrack That Stirs the Soul
The trailer’s emotional weight is elevated by Shreyas Puranik’s haunting soundtrack, with lyrics by Siddharth-Garima that “feel like a quiet scream,” as one review noted. Shreya Ghoshal’s soulful voice, featured in the trailer’s closing moments, tugs at the heartstrings, promising a musical landscape that complements the film’s intensity. Unlike the upbeat melodies of Dhadak, Dhadak 2’s music leans into subtlety, mirroring the story’s emotional undercurrents. Fans on X have lauded the “soothing yet powerful” score, with one post declaring, “The music alone makes this a must-watch.”
The soundtrack’s integration into the trailer—syncing with moments of heartbreak and defiance—hints at a film where music is a narrative force, much like Pariyerum Perumal’s evocative score. This approach aligns with Dharma Productions’ legacy of soulful music, as seen in films like Kalank and Rockstar, but feels more grounded, reflecting the film’s socio-political themes.
Navigating Controversy and Censorship
Dhadak 2’s journey to the screen was not without challenges. Initially slated for a November 2024 release, the film faced delays due to scrutiny from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The board mandated 16 modifications, including muting caste-based slurs and removing references to “Savarna,” to secure a U/A 16+ certificate. Some fans on X expressed disappointment, with one user lamenting, “They removed some of the most hard-hitting sequences,” arguing that the cuts diluted the film’s impact. Others questioned the CBFC’s approach, noting that Pariyerum Perumal faced no such issues.
The trailer also sparked debate over its portrayal of caste, particularly the use of “brownface” on Siddhant Chaturvedi to depict Neelesh’s Dalit identity. Social media reactions, especially on Reddit, criticized Bollywood’s tendency to “brown up” actors rather than casting those with authentic representation, with one user stating, “Can’t Bollywood show a lower-caste character without browning up the actor?” Despite this, the trailer’s overall reception has been positive, with fans praising its “well-made melodrama” and the leads’ ability to hit the right emotional tone.
A Spiritual Sequel with Broader Ambitions
While Dhadak (2018), starring Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter, was a commercial success, it faced criticism for glossing over the caste dynamics of its source material, Sairat. Dhadak 2 takes a bolder approach, drawing inspiration from Pariyerum Perumal’s raw depiction of caste oppression. Produced by Karan Johar, Umesh Kumar Bansal, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and others, the film aims to spark conversations about caste, privilege, and resistance in modern India. Its tagline, “When surrender means death… fight!” encapsulates its defiant spirit, as seen in the trailer’s powerful imagery of Neelesh and Vidhi standing against societal forces.
The film’s release on August 1, 2025, positions it as a major contender in Bollywood’s summer slate, with fans already calling it a “landmark” for its leads. Siddhant, coming off Yudhra, and Triptii, with upcoming projects like Spirit and a Vishal Bhardwaj actioner, are poised to solidify their status as versatile stars. The trailer’s viral success, with millions of views on YouTube and trending hashtags like #Dhadak2 on X, underscores its cultural impact.
Why the Trailer Resonates
The Dhadak 2 trailer resonates because it dares to confront uncomfortable truths. Its portrayal of caste as a lived reality, not a relic of the past, strikes a chord in an India still grappling with social divides. The dialogue, “Those who never go through it feel like that, Vidhi,” encapsulates the film’s central question: Can love transcend a society built on inequality? Fans on X have hailed Triptii’s return to “scripts with depth” and Siddhant’s “underdog” appeal, reflecting a hunger for stories that blend emotional stakes with social relevance.
The trailer’s success also lies in its universal appeal. While rooted in Indian caste dynamics, its themes of love, identity, and resistance resonate globally, drawing parallels to films like Moonlight or The Hate U Give. By centering a Dalit protagonist’s struggle, Dhadak 2 joins a growing wave of Indian cinema—spearheaded by filmmakers like Pa. Ranjith and Mari Selvaraj—that challenges systemic inequities. The trailer’s emotional intensity, coupled with its socio-political weight, positions Dhadak 2 as a film that could redefine Bollywood’s approach to socially conscious storytelling.
Final Thoughts
The Dhadak 2 trailer has ignited a firestorm of anticipation, blending the raw passion of Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri with a bold critique of caste and power. Directed by Shazia Iqbal, the film promises to be more than a love story—it’s a call to confront the inequalities that shape modern India. Despite controversies over censorship and casting, the trailer’s haunting visuals, soulful music, and authentic performances have won over fans, setting the stage for a theatrical release that could leave a lasting impact. As Dhadak 2 prepares to hit screens on August 1, 2025, it stands as a testament to love’s power to defy even the deepest divides, sparking conversations that will echo far beyond the cinema.