Dhadak

Dhadak, a 2018 Indian Hindi-language romance film, is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed Marathi film Sairat, by Nagraj Manjule. Shashank Khaitan assumes the directorial role for this Bollywood retelling and it is produced by Dharma Productions and Zee Studios. The film marks the highly anticipated debut of Janhvi Kapoor, the daughter of the late iconic actress Sridevi, and serves as a showcase for Ishaan Khattar's talent, who has already captured some attention with his performance in his debut film 'Beyond the Clouds.'

Dhadak is a heart-wrenching tale of innocent first love set against the backdrop of Indian social class division, politics, and honor killings. Khaitan introduces his audience to the picturesque city of Udaipur in Rajasthan, India, where love transcends the rigid boundaries of social strata. The movie's title, Dhadak, means 'heartbeat', encapsulating the essence of this touching love story that makes several hearts skip a beat.

In the film, Janhvi Kapoor plays the role of Parthavi, a headstrong, free-spirited girl, the daughter of a local political strongman played by Ashutosh Rana. Ishaan Khattar essays the character of Madhukar Bagla, the son of a local restaurant owner, who falls head over heels in love with the feisty Parthavi. Their innocent infatuation for each other quickly blossoms into love, a love that is beautiful in its unassuming simplicity.

However, coming from different socioeconomic backgrounds, their love story is not free of turbulence. Parthavi's family, especially her father, Ratan Singh, is hellbent on protecting their status quo and perceives the match like a wound to their 'honor.' Shadowed by caste and economic divisions, the lovers fight against the outside world, yet their love never withers. The palpable chemistry between Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khattar is one of Dhadak’s heart-stealing aspects that makes it a compelling watch.

The film is a visual treat, beautifully capturing the vibrant backdrop of Rajasthan, and it also presents the stark life in Kolkata, where the story takes an unexpected turn. Furthermore, Dhadak's musical score is a noteworthy aspect. Composed by the talented duo Ajay-Atul, the music beautifully complements the narrative of the film. Tracks like "Zingaat" and "Pehli Baar" are particularly successful at capturing the carefree spirit of youth and first love.

In Dhadak, Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khattar deliver moving performances. Ishaan Khattar, as Madhukar Bagla, is absolutely charming, charismatic, and sensitive. His performance imbues the character with innocent charm, vulnerability, and resilience. Janhvi Kapoor, in her debut role as Parthavi, is stunning and convincing. Despite being her first film, she delivers an emotive performance, particularly convincing in the lighter, bubblier moments, capturing the varied shades of her character quite well. Meanwhile, Ashutosh Rana, as Ratan Singh, is excellent at embodying the antagonist, the stern patriarch safeguarding his family's honor.

Even though Dhadak is a remake, it stands its ground as a film that has its own distinctive space due to the director's ability to Indianise the original content and customize it to suit the Hindi audience. It is Shashank Khaitan's third film that deals with the subject of love in a small town setup, but Dhadak manages to make a special mark with its gut-wrenching love story. Thus, the film reflects a painful mirror of the tragic reality that still pervades Indian society and, at the same time, attempts to keep the flame of true love alive against scarring societal norms.

In sum, Dhadak is a poignant love story, brimming with raw emotions and the harsh realities of societal norms and the caste system in India. It steals hearts owing to the innocent chemistry between the leads, their commendable performances, its evocative musical score, and visually appealing cinematography. Its underlying tragic narrative, however, is a powerful statement against relation's socially divisive elements in contemporary Indian society.