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Dhadak backdrop

Dhadak

20 July 2018Hindi2h 18mPart 1 of the Dhadak series
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 11 scored reviews · 2 not rated

Khatter and Kapoor shine, but the film softens what Sairat made raw.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: lead performances of newcomers
  • Criticised: superficial treatment of source material

Audience

User score 4.8 out of 10 from 4 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 3 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 12 critics are saying

Critical reception for Dhadak is sharply divided, with the majority of reviewers finding it a diluted, surface-level adaptation that strips away the social realism and urgency of its source material, Sairat. The most consistent praise across reviews is directed at the lead performances of Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, with several critics noting they elevate an otherwise weak script. Common criticisms centre on the film's glossy, sanitised treatment of caste-based violence and its failure to deliver the emotional and social impact of the original. A minority of reviewers found it an acceptable standalone entertainer on the strength of its newcomers.

How the 11 scores spread

2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 12 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (13)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    The Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor film has neither requisite drama nor authenticity. Dhadak doesn't work, not as an official copy of Sairat, nor as a standalone Bollywood romance.
  2. Bollywood Life

    Film review ·

    Dhadak is a stellar debut for newcomers Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor. It also is a beautiful homage to the original Sairat. Janhvi and Ishaan are here to stay. Welcome to the mad world of showbiz.
  3. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Dhadak is the heartbeat of love! Supremely performed by Ishaan & Janhvi, this would go down in the list of remakes well made. Shashank Khaitan has another winner under his belt.
  4. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    While Parshya and Archi's love story in Sairat was made with great honesty, realism and depth, giving us a perspective of the deep rooted prejudices in our society, Dhadak touches upon them too, but it merely skims the surface. Perhaps more attention to detail and delving a little deeper into the subject, would have given the film an edge. The lead up to the climax creates palpable tension, and the ending is hard-hitting, leaving you with enough to think about. With all its strengths and weaknesses, Dhadak attempts to highlight some shocking truths about our society and for that it makes a worthy watch.
  5. Sify

    Film review ·

    Overall, the performances outdo the mediocrity of the script and keep the film afloat.
  6. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    The Shashank Khaitan directorial might be a much anticipated film of the season, but it is nothing more than a launchpad for two star kids.
  7. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    There are good tunes thrown in between but they don't serve the purpose as Dhadak, overall, barely skims beyond the obvious. At 137-minute duration, it's not as powerful as the original, but could be a good watch for audiences looking for decent fresh faces.
  8. India Today

    Film review ·

    With everything so glossed up, the climax does not hit you as hard as the original, even though it is literally delivered with a thud. If you are satisfied with a pale, insipid version of Sairat, go watch Dhadak.
  9. Rediff

    Film review ·

    As a remake of Sairat, Dhadak is a travesty. As a standalone, Dhadak is standard Bollywood boy-meets-girl drivel. As a showcase, Dhadak is a promise that will take some more effort to fully fulfil.
  10. India Today

    Film review ·

    With a more substantial and empathic script, Dhadak could have struck the heart. Instead it barely touches the surface.
  11. Komal Nahta's Blog

    Film review ·

    Dhadak is a good entertainer and will emerge victorious at the ticket windows. The outstanding performances of Ishaan and Janhvi could take the film to the 'A' class level too.

From our readers

Audience reviews (3)

4 ratings · user score 4.8

  1. Tejas NairJul 2018
    6/10

    All in all Dhadak is a well-executed romance drama that survives because of the crime quotient and the cast performance. It is a natural and important story that must reach more audience, which is why I am validating this remake. Despite its shortcomings, it succeeds in what it sets out to do, and for that, a weekend ticket price wouldn't be a waste. Go for it! If you understand Marathi, catch Sairat instead. TN.

  2. 5/10

    It's been a rather busy week on the professional front that I wasnt able to pen my thoughts about "Dhadak" that I had watched last weekend. I was rather interested to check it out after all it was the launch of Sridevi's daughter, Janhvi Kapoor & Shahid's brother, Ishaan Khatter. The trailer was quite good & the songs were rather catchy. giving indications that it had the substance to earn a decent initial. But will it be able to break even??? The film unfolds in Rajasthan where we have Madhukar (Ishaan) & Parthavi (Janhvi) fall for each other, oblivious of the fact her family were against their union since he belonged to an inferior caste. Parthavi's father Ratan Singh (Ashutosh Rana) uses his influence to register a fake rape attempt case on Madhu & his friends. However, Parthavi manages to turn the tables & rescues Madhu from the clutches of the police. But will the lovers be able to ever live in peace??? Karan Johar had bought the rights for the Marathi blockbuster "Sairat" & entrusted Shashank Khaitan to remake it in Hindi. This was the latter's third movie after the "Dulhania" series & definitely a challenge to match upto Nagraj Manjule's efforts. Well it seemed Shashank had the dilemma as to whether he should attempt something truly original or he felt that the audience wouldn't be able to digest the harsh reality portrayed in the Marathi version. Anywaz Shashank was rather too mellow in his screenplay & execution , which kinda denied the movie the impact that it could have made if he was faithful to the original script. On the technical side, both Ajay-Atul & John Stewart have done a praise worthy job with the music & BGM while Vishnu Rao's visuals were fine. Both Ishaan & Janhvi have done a decent job in their debut outing. Ishaan oozes charm & innocence and was an apt choice for the role. It would be unfair to compare Janhvi to her illustrious mother, the incomparable Sridevi. But even then Janhvi has done no harm to her name & has given a reasonably decent performance. There is no doubt that they are far from the finished product, but for starters they deserve an applause. The rest of the cast were average & didnt have much to do. Verdict: Even if you didnt watch "Sairat", you will still feel that Shashank definitely missed the opportunity to make a memorable love story along the lines of "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak". As per box office figures, it has managed to make a profit. In short, it's rather predictable; which means that the story as such might not interest you but the newbies has done a decent job. Rating: 2.25/5 Regards...Ben

  3. 6/10

    'Dhadak', despite the flaws central to the audiences, and being manipulative in every sense of word, is a winning love story all the way. Not only is it a thoroughly entertaining tale whicg encapsulates 'Sairat' by not making it too realistic, it dazzles and soars with a blas of colours. The lovers, Madhuk and Parthavi played by Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, are raw, subtle, hued and amazingly poignant. While Ishaan adds realism to Madhuk, making him as amazing as Parshya in 'Sairat', Janhvi adds to the film's sweetness as Parthavi, even when she isn't half bold. The film's second half is a winner all the way. It transcends smoothly the realities and although quiet diluted in nature, it does showcase woth real deep-delving the nature of hardships. It is extremely relatable out there. The downer comes from the passionate bits, where no lights seem to be turning on. All-in-all, Shashank Khaitan's 'Dhadak' is as well made as Sairat. Only, it has artifice that's far from the realism of the original.

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

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