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Now, Bollywood, which is on a desperate mode to change tracks and shed its image of serving up soulless and mindless entertainment, has come up with its latest offering, Dhadak 2 (some sort of caste series from Dharma Productions’ stable?), which released today in theatres.

Forbidden romance

This remake of Pariyerum perumal is picking up mixed reviews. It stars Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi in a story revolving around “forbidden romance”. That pitch itself tells its own tale, we are back to two young lovers running away from warring families, but all will be well after a few songs and hardships.

Some reviews are largely slamming the movie describing it as another “ruined” remake of a great film. Others point out that it lacks courage to be a “sharp, fearless commentary” on caste. It is criticised for not having a “focus” with many sub-plots, which robs it of its soul.

One viewer on social media found the film lacked focus and said, “Dhadak 2 is bold in theme but messy in execution. Too many subplots, not enough heart – powerful message, weak delivery. Rating: 2.5 Stars.”

Inconsistent

The film’s biggest flaw is its inconsistency, said one reviewer, which robs the story of its soul. “Neelesh’s (Siddant Chaturvedi) suffering is so fragmented that it rarely hits hard. The few moments that do land, his pet being killed by upper-caste goons, his senior’s suicide, Neelesh’s humiliation at the hands of Vidhi’s cousin, and his father being publicly stripped, are scenes that genuinely tear you up, but the tension is not sustained,” writes one reviewer.

Instead of making a “powerful political statement”, the narrative is diluted. Is it because the filmmakers fear censorship or controversy?

In Pariyerum Perumal, Kadhir’s slow unravelling towards anger comes after he is heaped with many humiliations, some of which make the audience squirm in their seats. Here in typical Bollywood style, everything seems to be over-cooked and served up in an unpalatable fashion.

Lacks conviction

At the end of the day, there is lack of conviction. The story is told probably because Bollywood just wants to redeem itself or trying another route to counter its string of losses.

In an interview, the heroine Triptii said that the director Shazia Iqbal has tried to make the story a little different from the original Tamil film. “She said do not take anything from ‘Pariyerum Perumal’ because I want the story to be fresh,” said Triptii. However, reviewers felt that the director does follow the original closely.

Good points

However, Bollywood cannot resist making it about another doomed romance that has to be rescued. There is a glitzy song and dance number here as well. Though, Chaturvedi wearing a darker make-up, effectively plays a young man suffocating under the weight of caste shame and oppression, while Triptii Dimri as Vidhi, has more agency than Anandhi in Periyarum perumal. She aggressively fights back and asserts the need to fight for respect.

Shazia Iqbal also makes use of the colour blue throughout, as did the original Tamil film, aligning it with the Jai Bhim movement.

Portraits of Dr BR Ambedkar, Savitribai Phule, and Jyotirao Phule also find a dignified presence in the visual narrative. The film tries hard to mirror the brutal truths of caste oppression, but ultimately stops short of saying anything truly bold. Can a heartfelt monologue magically undo centuries of injustice? one reviewer asks.

Yet, audiences are stirred but not disturbed like the Tamil film made audiences feel.

‘Dhadak 2’ has its heart in the right place and boasts compelling performances, but it typically stops short of being an unapologetic film it had the potential to be.