Directed by Shazia Iqbal and starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, Dhadak 2 finally hit the big screens last Friday with considerable buzz around it. The film was expected to generate strong box office numbers owing to its talented cast, emotional storyline, and the fact that it is the spiritual sequel to the 2018 hit Dhadak, which featured Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor. However, Dhadak 2 entered a competitive release week, clashing with two other notable films — Son of Sardar 2, which had a broader mass appeal, and Saira, a romantic drama featuring Ahaan Panday and Anneet Padda that has surprisingly been gaining traction even in its third week.

Despite receiving mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers alike, Dhadak 2 struggled to leave a strong mark during its opening weekend. It started off slowly on Friday and showed only a modest growth on Saturday. While Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi’s performances have been widely appreciated, it seems that wasn’t enough to draw large crowds to theatres.

Day-Wise Box Office Collection

Let’s take a look at how Dhadak 2 performed over its first three days at the box office:

• Day 1 (Friday): The film opened to a lukewarm response, earning ₹3.5 crore on its first day. This was significantly below industry expectations, especially considering the buzz around its release and the positive word-of-mouth from early viewers.
• Day 2 (Saturday): The movie experienced a slight growth of around 7.14%, collecting ₹3.75 crore. Although any increase is a good sign, the pace was still far too slow for a film of this scale and expectations.
• Day 3 (Sunday): According to early trend reports by Sacnilk, Dhadak 2 managed to collect ₹4.25 crore on its third day. This brings the film’s total weekend collection to ₹11.5 crore.

While there was a gradual increase in revenue over the weekend, it wasn’t enough to classify Dhadak 2 as a box office hit. For a film to succeed commercially in such a competitive environment, it needs to show either a strong opening or a solid growth trend — preferably both. Unfortunately, Dhadak 2 offered neither.

The Box Office Scenario: Competition Hurt Its Prospects

One major factor contributing to Dhadak 2‘s underperformance is the stiff competition it faced upon release. Son of Sardar 2, released on the same day, has already crossed ₹24 crore in just three days, more than double the earnings of Dhadak 2. The sequel to the original mass-action entertainer, Son of Sardar 2 appealed more to audiences in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, which played a key role in its impressive box office numbers.

Moreover, even Saira, a romantic drama that has already been running for more than two weeks, continued to attract audiences. On its third Sunday alone — its 17th day at the box office — Saira earned ₹8 crore, nearly double of what Dhadak 2 managed on its first Sunday. This clearly indicates that Saira has found emotional resonance with the audience that Dhadak 2 couldn’t establish, despite the thematic similarities in genre.

What Went Wrong for Dhadak 2?

Despite being backed by a promising director, solid performances, and a remake of the critically acclaimed Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal, Dhadak 2 failed to turn heads. Several issues might have contributed to its slow start and weak weekend performance:

1. Lack of Buzz Among the Mass Audience: While the film did generate interest in urban pockets and among cinema enthusiasts, it did not seem to capture the attention of the larger, mainstream movie-going crowd.
2. Limited Promotion and Outreach: Compared to its competition, Dhadak 2 had less aggressive marketing. In today’s content-saturated world, continuous visibility across platforms is key to drawing viewers to theatres.
3. Clash with Commercial Films: Releasing alongside Son of Sardar 2, a high-energy action-drama, may have significantly impacted Dhadak 2’s visibility and reach, especially in single-screen and smaller markets.
4. Genre Fatigue: Love stories, particularly in a serious and socially-conscious tone, have been less appealing to audiences lately unless they’re backed by unique storytelling or a strong emotional hook.
5. Underwhelming Opening: First-day collections set the tone for how the film is perceived. With Dhadak 2 starting slow, it struggled to build momentum through the weekend, despite critical appreciation.

Can Weekdays Save It?

Now, all eyes are on how Dhadak 2 performs during the weekdays. If it manages to hold its ground with steady numbers and minimal drop in collection from Sunday to Monday, there may still be hope for recovery. However, considering its current trend and the strong competition, it will be an uphill task.

The film will also need strong word-of-mouth to continue attracting footfalls, especially in metro cities where viewers tend to respond more to performance-driven, critically acclaimed cinema. Streaming rights and digital premieres may provide another window of opportunity for the film to find a broader audience, but as far as box office numbers are concerned, the chances of a strong comeback are slim.

Final Verdict: A Missed Opportunity?

With a talented cast and a socially relevant storyline, Dhadak 2 had the potential to become one of the defining romantic dramas of the year. But the tepid audience response and poor box office returns paint a different picture. It remains to be seen whether the film can sustain in the coming weeks, but as of now, it appears to be lagging far behind its competitors, both new and old.

For fans of Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, the film still offers a watch-worthy cinematic experience, especially for those who appreciate nuanced performances and layered storytelling. But from a commercial standpoint, Dhadak 2 currently falls in the category of underwhelming performers at the box office.

In conclusion, while Dhadak 2 may not be a complete failure — thanks to its performances and modest earnings — it is far from being a hit. Its journey ahead will depend heavily on audience support and weekday stability. Whether it gains momentum or fades away remains to be seen.

Also Read : Son of Sardar 2 OTT Release: When and Where to Watch the Film?

Frequently Asked Questions