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Romantic drama

Dhadak (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Dhadak (2018) movie poster

Dhadak is a 2018 romantic drama directed by Shashank Khaitan, starring Janhvi Kapoor as Parthavi, Ishaan Khattar and Shridhar Watsar. It runs 2 hours 18 minutes and earned $10.6 million worldwide on a $4.8 million budget. Critics gave it 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10.

IMDb rating
4.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
27%
worldwide gross
$10.6M
Echo Score
40
Dhadak (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 18m (138 min)
Director
Shashank Khaitan
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
Hindi
Budget
$4.8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dhadak About?

The premise of Dhadak without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Madhukar and Parthavi, young lovers from different social classes, embark on a passionate romance in Udaipur. Their families' disapproval and deeply ingrained traditions create obstacles, forcing the couple to confront societal pressures and the potential end of their relationship. They risk everything as they fight to maintain their love against a backdrop of cultural expectations and the possibility of being torn apart by circumstance.

Dhadak Themes & Keywords

· 44 tags
  • one word title
  • remake
  • india
  • udaipur india
  • dream sequence
  • slapped in the face
  • competition
  • politician
  • electric fan
  • bare chested male
  • jumping into water
  • love
+32 more
  • slow motion scene
  • blood
  • college
  • classroom
  • singing
  • singing out of tune
  • bad singing
  • telephone call
  • kiss
  • father slaps his son
  • political candidate
  • political campaign
  • election campaign
  • gun
  • suicide threat
  • escape
  • chase
  • train
  • mumbai india
  • bus
  • nagpur india
  • uncle
  • kolkata india
  • church
  • mass
  • restaurant
  • glass of milk
  • wine
  • baby
  • long take
  • murder
  • honor
Cast & crew

Dhadak Cast & Characters

Janhvi Kapoor leads the cast as Parthavi, with Ishaan Khattar as Madhukar and Shridhar Watsar. Directed by Shashank Khaitan; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dhadak

· 9 more
Ratings

Dhadak Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dhadak 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in story & flow (25).

40 /100

Dhadak Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s mixed reception centers on performances and music, but its narrative shortcomings limit its impact. Critics widely note that the leads deliver earnest work despite uneven chemistry and that the soundtrack stands out. However, the plot feels sanitized and underdeveloped compared to the original, leading to a formulaic pace that undercuts emotional stakes. While some viewers find it watchable on its own merits, the film’s structural flaws prevent it from fully resonating.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of art and craft, the film offers visually appealing framing and polished production design but lacks narrative cohesion in its direction. Critics noted several well-composed scenes that highlight cinematography, yet these moments do little to elevate the overall storytelling style. Editing flows smoothly but does not support emotional intensity, resulting in a measured pace that undercuts dramatic build-up. The net effect is a competent but uninspired technical presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performances provide credible portrayals but deliver uneven chemistry. Some reviews praise each actor’s individual work, highlighting natural expression in key scenes, while simultaneous moments feel disjointed and scripted. Emotional beats often appear planted rather than arising organically, limiting the depth of interpersonal dynamics. Overall, the ensemble work is earnest but falls short of fostering compelling emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 25

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is marked by a predictable structure and sanitized treatment of key themes. Critics point out that the plot aligns closely with its source yet omits the original’s nuanced commentary, leading to a superficial portrayal of central conflicts. Pacing feels formulaic with transitions that lack dramatic urgency. Consequently, the film struggles to maintain engagement beyond familiar tropes and expected developments.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When assessing sensory experience, the soundtrack emerges as the film’s most notable element, delivering memorable melodies amid the visual presentation. Reviewers highlight soulful music that elevates key moments, though sound design beyond the songs receives little attention. The visual style offers consistent color palettes and clean design, but it does not break new ground. Overall, auditory strengths partially compensate for an otherwise conventional sensory palette.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    When it comes to rewatch factor, the film provides a serviceable one-time viewing but lacks enduring appeal for repeated experiences. Reviewers note it works on first viewing due to honest performances and a key musical highlight but offers minimal incentive for repeat watches. Predictability and underdeveloped emotional arcs limit lasting fascination. In sum, the rewatch value remains modest.

Plot

Dhadak Plot Summary

What happens in Dhadak from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Madhukar “Madhu” Bhagla, portrayed by Ishaan Khattar, is a young college student from a modest background. He unexpectedly triumphs in a competitive eating contest and is awarded the prize by the enchanting Parthavi Singh, played by Janhvi Kapoor, a strong-willed, affluent girl from a political family, who is studying at the same college. A moment of serendipity occurs when Madhu’s friend Purshottam, portrayed by Shridhar Watsar, stumbles upon Parthavi bathing in a serene lake and informs Madhu about her.

Full summary

The whole story of Dhadak, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Dhadak Box Office & Budget

Dhadak grossed $10.6 million worldwide on a $4.8 million budget, 2.2 times what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$10.6M

2.2× its budget

International
$10.6M
Budget
$4.8M
Videos

Dhadak Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Dhadak.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dhadak?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who wins a competitive eating contest at the beginning of the movie?

Details

Dhadak Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “Tiszteletbeli gyilkosság” and “跳动的心”.

Also known as
  • Tiszteletbeli gyilkosság
  • 跳动的心
  • 跳動的心

Seen Dhadak?

FAQ

Dhadak FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Dhadak, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dhadak?

Dhadak runs 2 hours 18 minutes (138 minutes).

When was Dhadak released?

Dhadak was released on July 20, 2018.

Who directed Dhadak?

Dhadak was directed by Shashank Khaitan.

More films by Shashank Khaitan

Who is in the cast of Dhadak?

Dhadak stars Janhvi Kapoor as Parthavi, Ishaan Khattar as Madhukar and Shridhar Watsar, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Dhadak make at the box office?

Dhadak grossed $10.6 million worldwide on a budget of $4.8 million.

How is Dhadak rated?

Dhadak has 4.6/10 on IMDb, 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71% on TMDB and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Dhadak have a post-credit scene?

No. Dhadak has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Dhadak in?

The original language of Dhadak is Hindi.

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