Dhadak 2 Trailer Is Out: Can Love Truly Rise Above Social Barriers?

"Poora naam?", a seemingly simple question posed by a college lecturer in the opening scene of the Dhadak 2 trailer, carries the weight of centuries of societal bias. It's not just the first name that people seek. It’s the surname, the marker of caste, that often becomes a loaded inquiry. A question that even decades later continues to echo across classrooms, workplaces, and families in India.

Love Beyond Casteism

Casteism remains one of India's most deeply ingrained taboos. While some express frustration over caste-based reservations, others live through the harsh, everyday realities of systemic discrimination. Dhadak 2, a spiritual sequel to the 2018 film Dhadak, dives into this very divide, weaving a poignant love story set against the backdrop of caste-based oppression.

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Neelesh (Siddhant Chaturvedi) and Vidhi (Triptii Dimri) fall in love during their college years. What begins as a simple, heartfelt romance—a boy meets a girl, they fall in love, and eventually marry—soon finds itself torn apart by the barriers of caste.

The trailer delicately transitions from the charm of young love to the brutal realities of discrimination. Neelesh is ostracised for entering college through a reserved seat; his batchmates push him to the back rows, both physically and socially. One line strikes a nerve: "The fight for dignity is greater than the fight for hunger." It's not just about education; it's about reclaiming humanity.

Neelesh, who wishes only to study and live peacefully, is caught in a vortex of hatred. The trailer shows him being assaulted for his relationship with Vidhi and painfully confiding that living with his identity means being reminded every day that people like him are not seen as human.

In a symbolic scene toward the end, a young girl tries to plant melon seeds in a small pot already holding another plant. Her father gently tells her, "Har paudha apni jagah pe ugta hai. Ek ko doosre mein mila doge, toh dono mar jaayenge." ("Every plant has its own place. If you mix them up, they’ll both die.")

Directed by Shazia Iqbal and backed by Dharma Productions, Dhadak 2 is a remake of Mari Selvaraj’s acclaimed 2018 Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal. The film is set to release in theatres on August 1. Notably, several scenes and dialogues addressing caste-based discrimination were reportedly removed or altered following directives from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).