Shazia Iqbal’s Dhadak 2 arrives with a powerful voice and fearless storytelling, setting itself apart from typical Bollywood portrayals of caste. A Hindi adaptation of Mari Selvaraj’s critically acclaimed Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal, this film tells the story of Neelesh (Siddhant Chaturvedi) — a Dalit law student whose journey becomes a study in caste, privilege, and silent resistance.
A Law Student’s Question Sparks Truths in Bhim Nagar
The film opens not with grandeur but with an intelligent and ironic conversation. Neelesh, the first from his Dalit family to attend college, poses a legal problem to his neighbors — what would the law say if stranded people resorted to cannibalism to survive? A man responds: “They wouldn’t eat us.” A woman adds: “They definitely won’t eat adivasis.” It’s a darkly funny moment, but one that immediately centers the viewer in the lived reality of caste-based marginalization.
Struggles at Law School Begin to Surface
On his first day, Neelesh is warned by Dean Ansari (Zakir Hussain) to avoid student politics. Neelesh obliges, hoping only to focus on academics and support his family. But we, as viewers, understand that staying neutral isn’t an option in a world wired against him.
His experiences are quiet but cutting. A professor mocks his hesitation to reveal his surname. Another humiliates him for his English — ironic, given the professor’s own terrible accent. The systemic microaggressions pile up, but Neelesh, like many in his position, has long learned to keep moving forward.
A Romance Touched by Caste
Neelesh forms a tender relationship with Vidhi (Triptii Dimri), a progressive but privileged classmate. Their chemistry is real and unforced, and while Vidhi seems open-minded, her journey through the film reveals how casteism is often buried deep within families and institutions — even among the “woke.” Chaturvedi and Dimri’s performances lend honesty to a romance that gradually becomes tragic.
A Villain in the Shadows
Borrowing from Pariyerum Perumal, Iqbal introduces a chilling assassin character — portrayed masterfully by Saurabh Sachdeva — who stalks Neelesh from afar. This figure, cold and methodical, isn’t driven by money but by caste prejudice. His very presence heightens the film’s simmering tension.
The Rohith Vemula Connection
A subplot about student fellowships hits hard. The film subtly nods to Rohith Vemula, the Dalit PhD student whose death in 2016 sparked nationwide protests. In Dhadak 2, Neelesh fights to receive fellowship funds, highlighting the bureaucratic and caste-based challenges students like him still face. Vemula’s spirit lingers in the film, offering both inspiration and heartbreak.
A Misleading Title for a Strong Film
If there’s one major misstep, it’s the title — Dhadak 2. While the original Dhadak (2018) was a widely criticized remake of Sairat, it barely scratched the surface of caste. Dhadak 2, on the other hand, is far more fearless, authentic, and emotionally grounded. Grouping them together feels disingenuous, almost like packaging a movement into a franchise.
Final Verdict: A Film That Dares to Say More
Despite borrowing its skeleton from Pariyerum Perumal, Dhadak 2 has its own voice — one that feels urgent and necessary in today’s political and social landscape. Shazia Iqbal delivers a confident directorial debut, and Siddhant Chaturvedi brings surprising vulnerability and restraint to his role. This isn’t just a film about caste; it’s a mirror to society.
