Dhadak 2 director Shazia Iqbal opens up on film’s journey: 'Disaster' tag was heartbreaking, Netflix gave it new life

Dhadak 2

When Dhadak 2 released in theatres earlier this year, the Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri-starrer opened decently but quickly slowed at the box office, wrapping up with just ₹29 crore.

Critics praised the film, but online chatter was far less kind. Many declared it a flop within a day of release.

Months later, the tide has shifted. The romantic drama quietly landed on Netflix and suddenly began trending, not just in India but in places like the UK, Mexico, and Japan.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, director Shazia Iqbal admitted the change in response has been overwhelming. “I don’t have a lot of followers (on Instagram). Still, I have about 20 DMs per hour. Siddhant called me last evening and said this feels bigger than the theatrical release—and yes, it does.”

The heartbreak of the “disaster” tag

For Shazia Iqbal, the narrative surrounding Dhadak 2 was harder to bear than the numbers. “Honestly, it was heartbreaking,” she said. “Our film was massy, entertaining, with songs and all the tropes, but without compromising the story. It was never meant to be a niche festival film. Yet people began calling it a disaster overnight.”

The director also pointed to the timing of its release. The film arrived sandwiched between big projects like Saiyaara and Son of Sardaar 2, limiting its reach. “If you go on the internet, you’ll only see—flop, disaster. But I don’t think we did badly business-wise,” she insisted.

OTT gave Dhadak 2 a second chance

Shazia Iqbal shared that colleagues and fellow filmmakers had predicted the film would find its audience later. “So many filmmakers told me this film will rise on OTT. And that’s what happened. Everyone is saying it’ll be a cult film eventually,” she said with some relief.

The director added that Dharma Entertainment backing the film was itself a big win. “For indie filmmakers like us, the fight is always about where to bring money from. Having Dharma’s clout gave us reach. My filmmaker friends keep telling me, ‘You did this with a big production house, this doesn’t happen.’”

Today, Dhadak 2 is streaming on Netflix, pulling in fresh conversations and—perhaps finally—getting the recognition its makers hoped for.

Also read: Kangana Ranaut stuns in royal look as she returns to ramp as showstopper- See pics

FAQsQ1: Why was Dhadak 2 called a disaster at the box office?
Dhadak 2 collected only ₹29 crore and clashed with bigger films, leading many to label it a flop despite positive reviews.

Q2: How has Dhadak 2 performed on Netflix?
Since its OTT release, Dhadak 2 has trended in countries like the UK, Mexico, and Japan, reaching a much wider audience.

Q3: Who directed Dhadak 2 and what is it about?
The film was directed by Shazia Iqbal and is a remake of Pariyerum Perumal. It tackles casteism while telling a love story.