Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions may be best known for its blockbuster romance and grandeur, but over the past decade, the banner has carved a parallel legacy—one rooted in powerful storytelling, real characters, and socially relevant narratives. With Dhadak 2 now on the horizon, the studio is continuing its commitment to content that connects beyond the surface.
Indian cinema has long held a special place for intense, emotionally charged love stories that linger in memory beyond the credits. From the tragic final moments of Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981) to the rebellious spirit of Sairat (2016), these films have shaped generations’ understanding of on-screen romance.
Ek Duuje Ke Liye
The early 80s brought Ek Duuje Ke Liye, a cultural phenomenon tracing the doomed romance of Vasu and Sapna. Directed by K. Balachander and starring Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri, the film ended in a shocking double suicide that left audiences stunned. Its legacy continues to influence tragic love stories in Bollywood even today.
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
In the late 80s, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak launched Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla with a modern Indian retelling of Romeo and Juliet. The film combined youthful charm with devastating consequences and became an instant classic among Indian love stories.
Sairaat and Dhadak
Sairat shifted the narrative in 2016 with its gritty, unfiltered portrayal of caste-driven conflict in rural Maharashtra. Directed by Nagraj Manjule, the Marathi blockbuster stunned viewers with its realism and emotional intensity.
Its success paved the way for a Hindi adaptation in 2018, as Karan Johar’s Dhadak introduced Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter. Though the remake softened some of the original’s social critique, it retained the essence of forbidden love and found commercial success with its soundtrack and striking visuals.
Dhadak 2
Now, Dhadak 2 picks up the mantle. Directed by Shazia Iqbal and backed by Dharma Productions, Zee Studios, and Cloud 9, the film stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri in a love story that promises to be bolder, deeper, and more politically layered. The recently released trailer offers glimpses of an inter-caste romance brewing within a law school backdrop, where passion clashes with privilege, rebellion, and rising social unrest.
In an interview with Variety, Shazia Iqbal said the film “questions privilege, the idea of rebellion, and the cost of love in the modern day.” While Dhadak 2 is not a direct sequel in terms of story, it carries forward the thematic DNA of its predecessor. It is said to be spiritually inspired by the Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal, known for its hard-hitting portrayal of caste discrimination and educational struggle.
The film’s first song Bas Ek Dhadak, composed by Amit Trivedi, has struck an emotional chord online. A second track, Preet Re, is also gaining praise for its simplicity and depth. Siddhant and Triptii’s crackling chemistry is being called one of the film’s strongest assets.
In interviews, both actors have opened up about how the roles challenged them. Siddhant credited a mix of hard work and fate for landing the part, while Triptii called it his “career-best performance.” Off-screen, the two share a friendly rapport, with Triptii recalling playful fights and emotional rehearsals that pushed them to connect deeply with their characters.
The film is officially slated for theatrical release on August 1, 2025. To clear certification, Dhadak 2 underwent 16 cuts from the CBFC related to caste references, religious remarks, and depictions of violence, but retained its core narrative and emotional gravity.
As the songs climb music charts and anticipation builds, Dhadak 2 poised to add another powerful chapter to Bollywood’s long legacy of love stories that aren’t afraid to end in heartbreak—or spark a conversation.
(Also read: My Name Is Khan To Dhadak 2: How Dharma Productions Has Quietly Built A Legacy Of Strong Narratives)
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