Anurag Kashyap is showering praises on the recently released film Dhadak 2, directed by Shazia Iqbal, drawing comparisons to the work of legendary filmmakers such as Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt and Yash Chopra. Kashyap described Dhadak 2 as "an extremely brave and powerful film" and "a punch in the gut". He lauded Iqbal for "holding a mirror to us of what India really is outside of our bubble".
Kashyap highlighted the film's unflinching honesty in addressing casteism and classism, mirroring the realities of India. Dhadak 2 explores the challenges and humiliation faced by Nilesh, a Dalit law student, after he falls in love with Vidhi, a classmate from an upper-caste family. Kashyap noted that his driver, who accompanied him to the screening, was deeply moved by the film. He urged audiences to watch Dhadak 2 and experience its emotional intensity.
Dhadak 2, which was released on August 1, is considered a spiritual sequel to the 2018 film Dhadak. Dhadak 2 is a remake of the Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal. The film stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles. Dhadak 2 earned ₹3.35 crore nett on its first day.
Kashyap believes that Dhadak 2 revives the era of socially relevant mainstream cinema, which he feels has been forgotten. He stated that the film captures conversations that are often avoided and brings back the kind of meaningful storytelling that was once the hallmark of mainstream Indian cinema.
In a separate event, director Mohit Suri celebrated the resounding success of his latest film, Saiyaara, in a heartwarming and unconventional way. Instead of a typical Bollywood party, Suri organized a food distribution drive at the Shree Mukteshwar Devalaya temple in Juhu, Mumbai.
Saiyaara, which was released on July 18, has become a box office phenomenon, nearing the ₹300 crore mark in India. The film stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. It has captivated audiences with its emotional storyline, memorable music, and performances.
Suri's gesture of distributing food, including gulaab jamuns, to devotees and those in need was met with widespread appreciation. Fans and social media users lauded his humility and kindness. The act was seen as a way of sharing the joy of the film's success with the community.
Saiyaara's box office success has been remarkable, outperforming several major Bollywood releases. The film's global collections have surpassed ₹440 crore.