Dhadak 2 written by first-time director Shazia Iqbal is scheduled for an movie release theatrically on August 1st, 2025 as confirmed by news reports, announcements and media made by Dharma Productions. The U/A-16+ certification was obtained after the film’s creators accepted to implement 16 major cuts required by the CBFC which mostly concern religious content and caste-related content.
Although the title refers to the film that debuted in 2018 Dhadak the film isn’t the sequel to that story it is the film is a spiritual sequel to the original film: it is a Hindi version of critically highly acclaimed Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal (2018) produced by Mari Selvaraj, reimagined through an Bollywood lens.
Cast & Characters
- Siddhant Chaurvedi portrays Neelesh who is a law student from Dalit who is discriminated against in the fight for equality. He is well-known for his performances as a character in Gully Boy, Gehraiyaan, and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Siddhant brings emotion and realism to the character.
- Triptii Dimri portrays Vidhi Vidhi, an edgy upper-caste woman who is a staunch supporter of Neelesh. Triptii is a star for her roles in films such as the Bulbbul as well as Qala has stated Vidhi as an empowering character — the type of character that pushed her to speak up more loudly.
- The cast supporting them comprises Saad Bilgrami Vipin Sharma Saurabh Sachdeva Manjiri Pupala Ashish Chaudhary Harish Khanna Aditya Thakare Deeksha Joshi and Zakir Hussain -all playing strong characters to establish the social context of the story.
Creative Team
- Director and Screenwriter: Shazia Iqbal is her debut as a director, renowned for her bold voice, based on the realities of society. Co-writing the script along with Rahul Badwelkar, infusing the film with raw sensitivity and political sensibility.
- Producers A formidable group of talented behind-the-scenes artists -Producers: A powerhouse of behind-the-scenes creatives – Karan Johar, Umesh KR Bansal Hiroo Yash Johar and Apoorva Mehta, Meenu Aroraa, Somen Mishra as well as Pragati Deshmukh. Banners for production include Dharma Productions, Zee Studios as well as Cloud 9 Pictures.
- Cinematography: Sylvester Fonseca who assists in bringing out the political and emotional nuances of the storyworld.
- Editing: A team that included Charu Shree Roy Omkar Uttam Sakpal and Sangeeth Varghese created the film’s pacing, which has an approximate 146 minutes.
- Music and Lyrics: Score composed by Tanuj Tiku and songs written by Rochak Kohli, Tanishk Bagchi, Javed-Mohsin, and Shreyas Puranik and lyrics written by Rashmi Virag, Siddharth Garima, Gurpreet Saini along with Ozil Dalal.
Story & Themes
- The Narrative Base: Based on the Tamil social-realist film Pariyerum Perumal (2018), Dhadak 2 is the story of a relationship that is strained by the oppression of caste. It is a story about Neelesh as well as Vidhi -two young couples from strict social stratificationliving life in a prestigious university situated in Madhya Pradesh.
- Progress of the Plot The story of a law student who is from a marginalised caste is attracted to Vidhi the classmate of his. As their relationship grows the systemic discrimination, family pressure, and the institutional biases challenge their determination. The film exposes the uncomfortable realities about the role of caste in modern India and examines the extent to which love can withstand the extreme disparities.
It’s not only a love story it’s an epic political reckoning that explores the notion of identity, survival and struggle against an oppressive cultural backdrop. Shazia Iqbal’s visionary direction can be felt throughout the film: “an emotional reckoning… rooted in reality,” she writes.
Music & Soundtrack
The soundtrack was designed to emphasize both romantic love as well as harsh reality
- The first single, “Bas Ek Dhadak” which was launched 16 July 2025. the 16th of July, 2025 is the start of music promotion campaigns.
- Composers Blending talent including Rochak Kohli Tanishk Bagchi and Javed-Mohsin. Shreyas Puranik, which ensures an emotional connection and modern appeal.
- The lyrics: Rashmi Virag, Siddharth-Garima Gurpreet Saini as well as Ozil Dalal infuse the songs with a layered message of yearning, anger and heartbreak woven in along with social commentary.
Production Journey & Controversy
- Announcement and Timeline Announced officially on April 2024 and production started around April 2023. The film was originally scheduled to its release December 2024 and then delayed until the month of March in 2025 The film finally made its debut in the morning of July 1, 2025 because of CBFC-related delays.
- Certification Problems A: Central Board of Film Certification required extensive editing which included the elimination of caste slurs, changes to visuals, disclaimers and other elements, as well as changes to religious texts and softer violent content. The film was certified U/A-16+ after 16 significant changes.
- The Actor’s Experience: Siddhant Chaturvedi reportedly only discovered the title of the film during filming, and was told through co-actor Ishaan Khatter -illustrating how organically the film developed beyond the initial marketing strategies.
Expectations & Cultural Impact
- social relevance In confronting caste in a romantic drama Dhadak 2 challenges Bollywood’s limits more than the majority of commercial films.
- performances -(a) Siddhant as well as Triptii will give real and emotional performances. The trailer and reactions to the film indicate strong chemistry that is that is rooted in reality rather than Melodrama.
- Direction and script – Direction and Script Shazia Iqbal’s grounded and socially conscious storytelling identifies the filmmaker who has conviction and sanity, staying clear of any preachiness and retaining cinematic force.
- music as narrative The songs are set to express emotion as they reflect the ache and anger at the core of the narrative, which is similar to the music role in a variety of socially driven Indian films.
- The Public Discourse The film is released in a period when caste-based issues continue to be a hot topic in India particularly in relation to marriage, education and politics. The film’s release could spark wider discussions beyond the cinema.
Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
| Title | Dhadak 2 |
| Genre | Romantic drama that has social themes |
| Director | Shazia Iqbal |
| Writers | Shazia Iqbal, Rahul Badwelkar |
| Producers | Karan Johar et al. (Dharma, Zee Studios, Cloud 9) |
| Based on | Pariyerum Perumal (Mari Selvaraj, 2018) |
| Language/Country | Hindi / India |
| Run Time | Approx. 146 minutes |
| Certification | U/A-16+ after 16 major cuts |
| Release Date | 1 August 2025 |
| Lead Cast | Siddhant Chaturvedi (Neelesh), Triptii Dimri (Vidhi) |
| Supporting Cast | Vipin Sharma Saurabh Sachdeva, Saad Bilgrami, and many more |
| Cinematography | Sylvester Fonseca |
| Editing | Roy, Sakpal, Varghese |
| Music Directors | Rochak Kohli, Tanishk Bagchi, Javed-Mohsin, Shreyas Puranik |
| Score | Tanuj Tiku |
| Lyricists | Rashmi Virag, Siddharth-Garima, Gurpreet Saini, Ozil Dalal |
| Budget / Box Office | The release is not yet available (likely to be revealed following the release) |
Final Words
Dhadak 2 is set for more an ordinary Bollywood love story — it is an cinematic remark about identity, caste and enduring love in the face of social injustice. With strong lead actors, a socially conscious direction and a nimble screenplay and music that enhances its emotional setting Its aim is to spark thought and discussion in a way that goes in addition to ticket sales.
Bollywood is preparing to release a more conscious socially conscious release schedule in August 2025 in addition, Dhadak 2 is a standout as a touching, yet resolute love story that may change the way mainstream cinema approaches casting.