Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has showered immense praise on Karan Johar’s latest production, “Dhadak 2,” calling it a “punch in the gut” and comparing its social relevance to classics by legendary directors like Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt.
Anurag Kashyap Applauds “Dhadak 2”
Anurag Kashyap took to Instagram to express his admiration for “Dhadak 2” and its debutant director, Shazia Iqbal. He highlighted the film’s bold narrative, which bravely tackles caste and class discrimination in India.
Kashyap specifically lauded the film for reflecting “what mainstream cinema was meant to be,” a powerful statement from a director known for his strong social commentaries.
Reviving Socially Relevant Mainstream Cinema
In his detailed post, Kashyap noted that “Dhadak 2” successfully captures “the conversation that we avoid on a day to day basis.” He lamented how mainstream Indian cinema often shied away from socially relevant themes, relegating them to independent art-house films.
He drew parallels to the golden age of Hindi cinema, when renowned filmmakers like Raj Kapoor, Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, and Yash Chopra seamlessly wove social messages into popular movies. Kashyap believes “Dhadak 2” brings this crucial aspect back to the forefront of commercial cinema.
Inspired by South Indian Cinema
Kashyap also pointed out that socially conscious mainstream cinema continues to thrive in South India, particularly in Tamil cinema. “Dhadak 2” is, in fact, an official remake of the acclaimed Tamil film “Pariyerum Perumal.”
“Pariyerum Perumal” tells the compelling story of Nilesh, a Dalit law student, and his relationship with an upper-caste classmate, Vidhi, and the subsequent harassment he faces from her family.
Anurag Kashyap praised the makers of “Dhadak 2” for adapting the original without losing its powerful essence, delivering a truly impactful cinematic experience.
A “Punch in the Gut” Experience
To emphasize the film’s emotional impact, Kashyap shared a personal anecdote. He mentioned that his driver of 16 years, Narayan ji, who watched the film with him, wept at the end and hasn’t stopped talking about it since.
This personal testimony underscores the film’s ability to resonate deeply with its audience and provoke important discussions. Kashyap called it an “extremely brave and powerful film” from Dharma Productions.
Initial Box Office Performance
“Dhadak 2,” starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, opened at the box office with Rs 3.5 crore on its first day. It earned an additional Rs 3.75 crore on its second day, bringing its total domestic collection to Rs 7.25 crore.
- Anurag Kashyap praised “Dhadak 2” for its bold handling of caste and class discrimination.
- He compared its social relevance to classic films by Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt.
- Kashyap highlighted “Dhadak 2” as a return to socially relevant mainstream cinema.
- The film is a successful adaptation of the acclaimed Tamil movie “Pariyerum Perumal.”
- Its emotional impact was profound, with Kashyap noting it was a “punch in the gut.”
The strong critical acclaim from figures like Anurag Kashyap suggests “Dhadak 2” might leave a significant mark on the ongoing conversation about social issues in Indian cinema.
