Mumbai, July 12, 2025 – Filmmaker Karan Johar defended the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) at the ‘Dhadak 2’ trailer launch, stating the board was remarkably “understanding and compassionate” during its review of the socially charged film. The Bollywood sequel, starring Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi, tackles caste-based discrimination and initially faced several delays - first from a planned late-2024 release, then expected March 2025 debut, before finally securing a U/A certificate for its August 1, 2025 release.

Johar revealed that the film underwent 16 significant cuts to address political, caste, and emotional sensitivities, yet emphasized no compromise was made to its core message. He praised the CBFC’s approach, saying the board and makers were aligned in protecting the film’s sensitivity, and encouraged filmmakers to engage early and proactively rather than protest late.

Describing ‘Dhadak 2’ as more than just a romantic drama, Johar said the film “makes you wake up and think.” He affirmed that “cinema is the most powerful medium to drive change,” underscoring why thoughtful storytelling sometimes requires time and nuanced review.