Dhadak trailer: Captivating colours, lovely Janhvi Kapoor-Ishaan Khatter romance defines this Sairat remake

It might be impossible to recreate the innocent magic and impact of director Nagraj Manjule's drama in Sairat (2016), but Shashank Khaitan's trailer attempts to offer a different take on the story. An official remake of the Marathi blockbuster which went on to earn Rs100 crore worldwide, Dhadak stars Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor in a colourful, but intense romantic drama.

Opening with the flirtatious interaction between Khatter's Madhu and Kapoor's Parthavi, the trailer captures the fresh romance that drove the original. As the young, unabashed and confident Parthavi, Kapoor looks effective in her presence. The actress seems to have the same ability with her eyes that defined her late mother, Sridevi. But it is Khatter who comes across as the more confident actor. Khatter has already made his debut internationally in the Majid Majidi film, Beyond The Clouds.

While Manjule's trailer for Sairat captured the more political undertones of his story, the romance of the two protagonists remain central to Khaitan's trailer. It is Madhu and Parthavi's struggle against the patriarchal casteist system, led by Ashutosh Rana's politician, and their eventual struggle in the city of Mumbai that leave an impact. While the politics features strongly in the latter half of the trailer, it remains to be seen if the film will deliver the same shock as the original.

Inevitably, Khaitan had to adapt the chartbuster, 'Zingaat', into the trailer. Set to the backdrop of a palatial Rajasthani haveli, the song captures Madhu and Parthavi dancing with gay abandon. Despite the tune remaining the same, composed by Ajay-Atul, it remains to be seen how the filmmaker integrates the Marathi 'Zingaat' into the Rajasthani ethos. The film will also make use of 'Yed Lagla' another chartbuster from the original, adapted for the Hindi audience.

Khaitan's film has elements of the usual Dharma Productions film with an array of colours, style, and elegant camera movement. The actors look beautiful, as do the settings. This is a contrast to Manjule's depiction of the imperfect, raw settings and characters which defined his film. Perhaps, that is where the challenge for Khaitan lies.

Dhadak is produced by Karan Johar, Zee Studios, Hiroo Yash Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and is set to be released on 20 July.