Posted By Ashwin Deshpande On 3 Oct 2025 Comments (0)
When Ayushmann Khurrana, a Bollywood actor celebrated for his unconventional choices, star stepped back into a cross‑dressing persona, the buzz about Dream Girl 2 surged across social feeds. The official trailer, unveiled on , confirmed that the spiritual sequel is directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa and produced by Ekta Kapoor together with her sister Shobha Kapoor under the banner of Balaji Motion Pictures. The film, registered as an Dream Girl 2India, promises a fresh dose of comedy while carrying the lineage of the 2019 hit.
Trailer Launch and What It Reveals
The two‑minute clip opens in the dusty lanes of Mathura, where a young man named Karam hustles to clear a mountain of debts left by his father. The voice‑over, punctuated by quirky background scores from Meet Bros and Tanishk Bagchi, hints that the solution comes in the form of a flamboyant alter‑ego, “Pooja.”
As Karam (played by Khurrana) dons a sari and adopts a high‑pitched voice, the trailer spirals into a series of misunderstandings—each more outlandish than the last. The comedy‑of‑errors template feels reminiscent of classic Hindi farces, yet the modern setting injects a fresh, urban vibe.
Plot Premise and the Comedy Hook
At the heart of the story is Karam’s desperate love for Pari (portrayed by Ananya Panday). Pari’s father imposes a rigid set of conditions for marriage—conditions Karam can’t meet without a miracle. When his father’s debts threaten to bankrupt the whole family, Karam’s only escape is to masquerade as Pooja, the very type of woman his father’s creditors would trust.
The premise taps into a timeless trope: a man pretending to be a woman to dodge trouble. What makes it compelling this time is the layered sub‑plot involving a local politician, a meddling aunt, and a set of mis‑directed WhatsApp messages that keep escalating the chaos. The result is a whirlwind of slapstick, mistaken identities, and a few heart‑warming moments that remind viewers why the original Dream Girl struck a chord.
Cast and Crew Highlights
Aside from Khurrana and Panday, the film boasts a veteran ensemble. Paresh Rawal returns to the screen as Karam’s wily uncle, while Asrani appears in a cameo, marking their first on‑screen reunion since Himmatwala (2013). The supporting lineup includes Annu Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, and Manjot Singh, each promised to deliver their trademark comic timing.
On the technical side, cinematography was handled by Sanjay K. Singh, whose use of vibrant colour palettes aims to reflect the film’s playful tone. The music direction, split between Hitesh Sonik, Meet Bros, and Tanishk Bagchi, produced chart‑topping numbers that already dominate streaming playlists.
Production Timeline and Release Shuffle
Principal photography kicked off in August 2022 in the outskirts of Delhi, later moving to the studios of Mumbai. The shoot wrapped in March 2023, giving post‑production a tight five‑month window. During that period, the film’s release slot toggled multiple times: initially slated for , then moved up to , later pushed to , before finally landing on after a public announcement on . Industry insiders attribute the shuffle to a clash with other big‑budget releases and a strategic push to secure a lucrative weekend.
The production budget, according to trade reports, hovered around ₹350,000,000 (approximately $4.2 million). This mid‑range figure reflects the modest scale of set construction—most scenes were shot on location rather than expensive studio builds—yet still allowed for high‑quality VFX needed for certain disguise sequences.
Box‑Office Performance and Critical Reception
When Dream Girl 2 finally opened its doors on August 25, it rode a wave of curiosity generated by the trailer’s viral memes. The opening day netted roughly ₹20 crore, and the film crossed the ₹100 crore mark within ten days. By the end of its theatrical run, domestic and overseas collections summed to about ₹140 crore, earning it the spot of the eleventh‑highest‑grossing Hindi film of 2023.
Critics, however, were divided. While Filmfare praised Khurrana’s timing and the ensemble’s chemistry, The Hindu criticized the script for leaning too heavily on dated slapstick tropes. Film scholar Dr. Ananya Mishra noted, “The movie taps into a nostalgic brand of comedy, but it also raises questions about gender representation in mainstream Bollywood.” Despite mixed reviews, audience word‑of‑mouth kept the film’s seats filled well beyond the typical two‑week window.
Digital Release, Marketing and Social Buzz
Just over two months after its theatrical debut, the film premiered on Netflix on . The streaming launch was accompanied by a unique social media campaign: dedicated Instagram and Twitter handles for the fictional character “Pooja” posted memes, behind‑the‑scenes snippets, and interactive polls. This strategy not only kept the film in public conversation but also introduced it to a younger demographic that consumes most content online.
According to a Netflix spokesperson, the title logged more than 12 million household views in its first week, contributing to a noticeable spike in the platform’s Indian comedy genre metrics.
Why It Matters for Bollywood’s Comedy Landscape
The success of Dream Girl 2 underscores a broader shift: audiences are eager for light‑hearted fare that blends traditional humor with modern sensibilities. For producers like Ekta Kapoor, the film validates the gamble of revisiting a beloved concept while injecting fresh talent such as Panday.
Moreover, the film’s cross‑dressing premise—while potentially fraught, is handled with a comedic rather than a trans‑political lens—continues a long Bollywood tradition of gender‑bending roles, from Chennai Express to Mrs. Chatterjee Se Sangat. How future comedies navigate this space will likely be informed by both the box‑office numbers and the cultural conversations sparked by Dream Girl 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the multiple release date changes for Dream Girl 2?
The film’s producers cited clashes with other high‑budget releases, last‑minute post‑production tweaks, and a strategic decision to secure a profitable weekend in August. Announcements on April 24, 2023 clarified the final date as August 25, 2023.
How did the trailer’s social media campaign influence audience expectations?
By creating Instagram and Twitter profiles for the fictional persona ‘Pooja’, the marketing team generated meme‑ready content that went viral. This not only amplified curiosity but also built a community that followed the film’s jokes before it even hit theaters.
Who are the main cast members and what roles do they play?
Ayushmann Khurrana stars as Karam, a debt‑ridden lad who masquerades as ‘Pooja’. Ananya Panday plays his love interest Pari. The supporting cast includes Paresh Rawal as Karam’s uncle, Asrani in a cameo, and veteran comic actors such as Rajpal Yadav and Vijay Raaz.
What were the box‑office numbers and how did critics respond?
The film amassed roughly ₹140 crore worldwide, landing it among the top‑earning Hindi movies of 2023. Reviews were mixed: while many praised Khurrana’s timing and the ensemble’s chemistry, some critics felt the script relied on outdated slapstick and raised concerns about gender representation.
When can international viewers watch Dream Girl 2?
The movie premiered on Netflix on October 20, 2023, with English subtitles available. It is currently streaming in most regions where Netflix operates, making it accessible to a global audience.