DHADAK (2018) IS A ROMANTIC BOLLYWOOD DRAMA DIRECTED BY SHASHANK KHAITAN, STARRING DEBUTANT JANHVI KAPOOR AND ISHAAN KHATTER. A REMAKE OF THE ACCLAIMED MARATHI FILM SAIRAT, DHADAK AIMS TO PORTRAY A STORY OF LOVE BATTLING THE ODDS OF SOCIAL DISPARITY AND HONOR-BASED PREJUDICE. BUT DOES IT LIVE UP TO THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF THE ORIGINAL? LET’S DIVE INTO THE FULL REVIEW.
OVERVIEW OF DHADAK
SET IN THE CULTURALLY VIBRANT CITY OF UDAIPUR, DHADAK EXPLORES THE ROMANTIC JOURNEY OF MADHUKAR (ISHAAN KHATTER), A LOWER-CASTE BOY, AND PARTHAVI (JANHVI KAPOOR), A WEALTHY UPPER-CASTE GIRL. THEIR BLOSSOMING LOVE IS MET WITH FIERCE OPPOSITION FROM PARTHAVI’S POLITICALLY POWERFUL FAMILY.
- DIRECTOR: SHASHANK KHAITAN
- PRODUCER: KARAN JOHAR (DHARMA PRODUCTIONS)
- RELEASE DATE: JULY 20, 2018
- GENRE: ROMANTIC DRAMA
PERFORMANCES
ISHAAN KHATTER AS MADHUKAR
ISHAAN DELIVERS A COMPELLING AND ENERGETIC PERFORMANCE, SHOWCASING EMOTIONAL DEPTH AND RAW INTENSITY. HIS PORTRAYAL OF MADHUKAR STANDS OUT AS ONE OF THE FILM’S STRONGEST ASPECTS.
JANHVI KAPOOR AS PARTHAVI
JANHVI’S PERFORMANCE, THOUGH DECENT FOR A DEBUT, OCCASIONALLY LACKS THE EMOTIONAL GRAVITY EXPECTED IN CRITICAL SCENES. HOWEVER, SHE SHINES IN LIGHTER MOMENTS AND HAS A CHARMING SCREEN PRESENCE.
DIRECTION AND SCREENPLAY
WHILE SHASHANK KHAITAN RETAINS THE CENTRAL NARRATIVE OF SAIRAT, THE SCREENPLAY IS NOTICEABLY TONED DOWN FOR A MORE MAINSTREAM BOLLYWOOD AUDIENCE. THE INTENSITY AND REALISM OF THE ORIGINAL ARE DILUTED, MAKING DHADAK FEEL MORE LIKE A GLOSSY LOVE STORY THAN A GRITTY SOCIAL COMMENTARY.
MUSIC AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
MUSIC BY AJAY-ATUL
THE SOUNDTRACK IS UNDOUBTEDLY A HIGHLIGHT. SONGS LIKE “ZINGAAT” (HINDI VERSION) AND “PEHLI BAAR” ARE CATCHY AND POPULAR, ALTHOUGH THE ORIGINAL MARATHI COMPOSITIONS ARGUABLY HAD MORE EMOTIONAL WEIGHT.
VISUAL APPEAL
THE CINEMATOGRAPHY BY VISHNU RAO BEAUTIFULLY CAPTURES THE PICTURESQUE LOCALES OF UDAIPUR AND KOLKATA. THE VIBRANT VISUALS COMPLEMENT THE YOUTHFUL ENERGY OF THE FILM.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS:
- STRONG DEBUT BY ISHAAN KHATTER
- STUNNING VISUALS AND VIBRANT CINEMATOGRAPHY
- CATCHY MUSIC AND APPEALING BACKGROUND SCORE
WEAKNESSES:
- COMPARATIVELY WEAK EMOTIONAL DEPTH
- JANHVI’S PERFORMANCE LACKS CONSISTENCY
- LESS IMPACTFUL THAN THE ORIGINAL SAIRAT
FINAL VERDICT
DHADAK IS A VISUALLY RICH FILM WITH A HEARTWARMING LOVE STORY THAT MAY APPEAL TO MAINSTREAM AUDIENCES. HOWEVER, IT STRUGGLES TO REPLICATE THE RAW POWER AND SOCIAL COMMENTARY OF SAIRAT. WATCH IT FOR ITS MUSIC, PERFORMANCES, AND PRODUCTION QUALITY, BUT DON’T EXPECT THE SAME EMOTIONAL RESONANCE AS THE ORIGINAL.
RATING: 3√5
WRITTEN BY A PASSIONATE FILM REVIEWER FOR FANS OF INDIAN CINEMA. ALL OPINIONS ARE ORIGINAL AND UNBIASED.