Dhadak 2 Releases Today, Faces Off with Son of Sardaar 2

A Bollywood Box‑Office Collision

On August 1, 2025, two high‑profile sequels—Dhadak 2 (starring Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri) and Son of Sardaar 2 (Ajay Devgn, Mrunal Thakur)—are releasing on the same day, setting up a major box‑office battle between romance‑drama and family‑comedy.

Background & Release Timeline

Dhadak 2

• A spiritual sequel/remake of the Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal (and thematic successor to the 2018 Dhadak), Dhadak 2 focuses on caste‑based discrimination entwined with a young love story directed by Shazia Iqbal and backed by Karan Johar, among others.
• Originally slated for November 22, 2024, it was postponed to February 21, 2025, and then again to August 1, due to CBFC clearances and production delays.

Son of Sardaar 2

• A standalone sequel to the 2012 hit Son of Sardaar, this Ajay Devgn–led comedy‑drama directed by Vijay Kumar Arora was initially scheduled for July 25, 2025, but strategically postponed to August 1 in response to the ongoing success of Saiyaara and to accommodate promotional buildup.
• The film features an ensemble cast including Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan, Deepak Dobriyal, Kubbra Sait, and marks the posthumous appearance of Mukul Dev.

Genre Divide & Audience Appeal

Dhadak 2 – Romance with Social Punch

• Heavy on emotion, Dhadak 2 revisits its predecessor’s youthful intensity but with sharper focus on caste injustices. Netizens are praising Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi for “raw, honest” performances. Many are calling it Dimri’s “best work yet.”
• Positioned to attract younger urban audiences seeking socially relevant storytelling mixed with romance.

Son of Sardaar 2 – Masala Comedy & Family Fun

• A comedy‑drama filled with Ajay Devgn’s trademark swagger, broad humour, and festive visuals, including a subplot featuring a chaotic village festival in Scotland chasing a mythical golden mango.
• Aimed at family audiences seeking light entertainment, slapstick, and star power. Known Bollywood veterans and comic relief abound. Suniel Shetty summarized it as a “laugh riot.”

Industry Strategy & Release Tactics

Postponing to Clash

• Son of Sardaar 2’s delay until August 1—originally set for July 25—was a calculated move to avoid competing with Saiyaara, which had exploded at the box office, grossing over ₹270 crore domestically.
• That shift, however, directly pitted it against Dhadak 2, triggering speculation about whether the films’ different genres might ease audience segregation or simply split screen space and footfall.

Screen Allocation: Uneven Footprint

• Son of Sardaar 2 was expected to go wide—targeting 3,500 screens across India—but because of residual holdovers like Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha, many exhibitors capped showings at ~35%, with actual screen count possibly as low as 2,500.
• In contrast, Dhadak 2 opted for a strategic rollout—focused on about 1,000 screens, especially in urban and multiplex markets, betting on word‑of‑mouth and selective saturation rather than diagonal dominance.

Promotion & Pre‑Release Buzz

• Social media goodwill marked a rare friendly rivalry: Mrunal Thakur publicly wished Team Dhadak 2, praising the “release week excitement,” and Triptii Dimri reciprocated with best wishes to Son of Sardaar 2.
• Dhadak 2’s trailer songs (especially “Bas Ek Dhadak”) and visuals have struck a strong chord, with many praising its atmospheric tone and emotional resonance.
• Son of Sardaar 2 unveiled multiple singles—the title track in early July, followed by “Pehla Tu Duja Tu”, “Nachdi”, “The Po Po Song” recreation, and others—helping maintain brand recall for established fans.

Opening Day Signals & Early Reception

Critical & Social Reactions

• Dhadak 2 is receiving broadly positive early reviews, especially from netizens lauding its social realism and emotional depth. The lead pair’s chemistry and portrayal of caste tensions are considered especially poignant.
• Early viewers and celebrities such as Suniel Shetty described Son of Sardaar 2 as a “laugh riot,” praising Ajay Devgn’s charisma and consistent comedic energy.

Box Office Out of the Gate

• On its opening day, Son of Sardaar 2 had a tepid start, impacted by competition not only from Dhadak 2 but also from the holdover success of Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha.
• Dhadak 2 is riding rising word‑of‑mouth, with more focused screen strategy, and pairing a socially conscious core with romantic appeal.

Comparison Table: Positioning Side by Side

Industry Implications: Clash Analysis

Strategic Timing & Risk

• Son of Sardaar 2‘s shift was meant to avoid Saiyaara, but inadvertently dialed up risk by overlapping with Dhadak 2. The trade‑off: promotional breathing room vs. more direct competition.

Screen Share Tug‑of‑War

• Exhibitor reluctance to give Son of Sardaar 2 dominant show timings — even as distributors demanded 60% share—may have crippled its opening potential. Many chains offered only ~35%. Meanwhile, Dhadak 2’s lower screen count let it avoid such contention.

Genre-Based Differentiation

• The films may have carved different audience paths: emotionally engaged youths vs. family viewers seeking escapism. This vertical segmentation could soften the blow of release overlap. But Saiyaara’s wave complicates both movies’ chances.

So, Who’s Betting on What?

• Expectations for Dhadak 2:
  • Strong urban multiplex performance.
  • If word‑of‑mouth sustains, expansion could pick up from day 3 onward.
  • Potential to outpace Son of Sardaar 2 in niche segments.
• Expectations for Son of Sardaar 2:
  • Box‑office performance heavily relies on festival‑holiday crowds and family footfall.
  • Comedic relief might attract audiences after emotionally heavy films—but limited screens could blunt its impact.
  • If Saiyaara remains dominant, SOS 2 may remain stuck in its shadow.

Final Thoughts: Clash of Tones & Stakes

The August 1, 2025 showdown between Dhadak 2 and Son of Sardaar 2 is far more than just two sequels dropping together—it’s a case study in strategic scheduling, screen politics, genre targeting, and audience alignment:

• Dhadak 2 bets on emotional resonance and topical relevance to forge its own pace.
• Son of Sardaar 2 leans on star power, festive fun, and comedic spectacle—but faces logistical bottlenecks.
• Behind them looms the Saiyaara juggernaut and Mahavatar Narsimha, which are still commanding theatres and eyeballs.

For industry watchers, trade insiders, and movie fans alike, this duel may reveal which formula—social substance vs. mass comedy—wins the new Bollywood battleground. Early word and reviews lean toward Dhadak 2 carving an emotional niche, while Son of Sardaar 2 might need steady weekend crowd pull and positive word‑of‑mouth to break free.

Post‑Release Outlook: What Comes Next?

• Weekend multipliers: For Dhadak 2, holding strong across Friday–Sunday may trigger expansions. If social engagement grows, it could widen geographically.
• Week‑long retention: Son of Sardaar 2 must rely on festival timing and intra‑family viewing patterns to sustain beyond day 2–3.
• OTT windows: While Dhadak 2’s streaming plans are yet to be confirmed, industry chatter suggests both films may head to digital later this year, though Son of Sardaar 2 is reported to be moving toward an OTT debut soon.

• Times Now
• Times Of India
• The Indian Experess