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.

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.

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.

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.

With a more substantial and empathic script, Dhadak could have struck the heart. Instead it barely touches the surface.

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.

Dhadak can be given a silver screen watch just for the sake of laudable performance by the duo Ishaan and Janhvi.