"Dream Girl 2" is a 2023 Indian comedy-drama film in the Hindi language. It was directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa and produced by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor under Balaji Motion Pictures. Serving as a spiritual successor to the 2019 film "Dream Girl," the movie features Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead role, supported by a talented ensemble cast including Ananya Panday, Paresh Rawal, Annu Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, Asrani, Abhishek Banerjee, Manjot Singh, and Seema Pahwa. The story revolves around a young man who assumes a female persona, leading to a series of comedic and chaotic situations.
Principal photography commenced in August 2022 and concluded in March 2023. The film hit theaters on August 25, 2023. While "Dream Girl 2" garnered mixed reviews from critics, it achieved commercial success, amassing ₹127.19 crores worldwide, securing its position as the tenth-highest grossing Hindi film of 2023.
Plot Summary:
The narrative follows Karamveer "Karam" Singh, a middle-class youth residing in Mathura, who moonlights as a Jagrata performer. With a unique talent for flawlessly mimicking a female voice, Karam's father, Jagjit Singh, is burdened by significant debts. In order to marry his love interest, Pari Srivastava, from an affluent family, Karam must secure a high-paying job and purchase his own home within six months. To expedite his earnings, Karam adopts the persona of "Pooja" and becomes a dancer at a bar owned by Sona Bhai, keeping Pari in the dark.
Karam's best friend, Smiley Dhillon, is smitten with Sakina, the daughter of the formidable Abu Saleem. To fulfill Abu's condition of marrying Sakina, Shah Rukh Saleem, Abu's son, must also find a spouse. Karam, now known as "Pooja," steps in as a pretend psychiatrist to assist Shah Rukh, who has been grappling with heartbreak. This leads to a chain of events, including a surprising proposal and a marriage that takes an unforeseen turn.
As the story unfolds, misunderstandings and secrets unravel, ultimately culminating in a grand ceremony that corrects the course of multiple lives.
Cast:
Ayushmann Khurrana as Pooja / Karamveer "Karam" Singh
Ananya Panday as Pari Srivastava
Paresh Rawal as Abu Saleem
Annu Kapoor as Jagjit Singh
Vijay Raaz as Saajan Tiwari alias Sona Bhai
Rajpal Yadav as Shoukiya
Asrani as Yusuf Ali Salim Khan
Manoj Joshi as Jaipal Srivastava
Seema Pahwa as Jumani
Manjot Singh as Smiley Dhillon
Abhishek Bannerjee as Shah Rukh Saleem, and others.
Music:
The film's soundtrack features compositions by Meet Bros, Tanishk Bagchi, and Arko, with background score by Hitesh Sonik. Notable tracks include "Dil Ka Telephone 2.0," "Naach," "Jamnapaar," "Mai Marjawangi," and "Piya."
Release:
Initially slated for release on June 29, 2023, the date was later adjusted to July 7, 2023, and eventually finalized as August 25, 2023.
Box Office:
As of September 4, 2023, "Dream Girl 2" has grossed ₹102.57 crore (US$13 million) in India, with an additional ₹13.37 crore (US$1.7 million) in overseas markets, totaling ₹115.94 crore (US$15 million) worldwide.