T-Series recently announced that the John Abraham-starrer The Diplomat, initially scheduled for release on March 7, will now hit cinemas on March 14. This sparked speculation about a potential clash with Dhadak 2, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, during the Festival of Colours. However, with only three weeks left for Holi, the promotions for Dhadak 2 are yet to kick off. According to Bollywood Hungama, the delay stems from the film being stuck at the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
A source revealed, “Dhadak 2 deals with caste issues and is meant to be a hard-hitting film. The Examining Committee (EC) of the CBFC appreciated the makers for addressing such themes. However, due to the sensitive content, they are deliberating over the appropriate rating and whether any scenes need to be cut.”A trade expert added, “The makers want to complete the censor process before starting promotions. They likely want to avoid announcing a release date only to face delays later. If they receive clearance soon, the film could still release on March 14. Otherwise, it might get postponed. A final decision should be made within the next 5-10 days.
”Interestingly, this situation has surprised many in the industry as the film is based on the 2018 Tamil hit Pariyerum Perumal, which faced no issues with the censors. An industry insider remarked, “If Dhadak 2 follows the same story, why is it being subjected to stricter scrutiny? The original film had no trouble clearing the censor board.”Former CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani also weighed in, stating, “In the South, films often pass easily, even those with excessive violence. The CBFC members in Mumbai have a more politically affiliated temperament, unlike the South, where members tend to have a liberal approach.”Now, all eyes are on whether Dhadak 2 overcomes its CBFC troubles in time for a Holi release, potentially setting up an exciting box-office clash with The Diplomat.
