Dhak Dhak is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language road adventure drama film written and directed by Tarun Dudeja and produced by Ajit Andhare, Kevin Vaz, Pranjal Khandhdiya and Taapsee Pannu under the banner of BLM Pictures, Outsider Films Productions and Viacom18 Studios.[2] It stars Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanjana Sanghi.[3] The film was released on 13 October 2023.[4] At 69th Filmfare Awards, the film received three nomination, including Best Actress (Critics) for Shaikh and Best Supporting Actress for Shah.[5]

Dhak Dhak
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTarun Dudeja
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySreechith Vijayan Damodar
Edited byManish Sharma
Music bySongs:
Jasmine Sandlas
Rishi Dutta
Osho Jain
Mohan Kannan
Anurag Saikia
Raghav–Arjun
Background Score:
Anurag Saikia
Production
companies
Distributed byViacom18 Studios
Release date
  • 13 October 2023 (2023-10-13)
Running time
137 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Plot edit

Four women set out for a road trip to the highest motorable pass in the world on their bikes on a journey of self-discovery. They take their motorcycles like large-winged birds to a gust of wind. They ride beyond the limits of their lives and to the heights of freedom.

Cast edit

  • Ratna Pathak Shah as Manpreet Kaur Sethi "Mahi"
  • Dia Mirza as Uzma
  • Fatima Sana Shaikh as Shashi Kumar Yadav "Sky"
  • Sanjana Sanghi as Manjari alias "Lali"
  • Hrriday Malhotra as Nishant Kakkar
  • Harshpal Singh as Prabjyot "Prabhi", Mahi's grandson and Sky's friend
  • Dheerendra Dwivedi as Shabbir, Uzma's husband
  • Kallirroi Tziafeta as Martha
  • Ozgur Kurt as Bernett
  • Poonam Gurung as Kung Fu Nun

Production edit

In May 2022, the film was announced by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and stars Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanjana Sanghi.[6][7] The principal photography of the film began in May 2022.[8] The filming took place in Greater Noida, New Delhi,[9] followed by Manali, Himachal Pradesh[10] before moving on to Leh, Ladakh,[11] and it was shot across 83 locations.[12] The filming was completed in 40 days and wrapped up in June 2022.[13]

Soundtrack edit

Dhak Dhak
Soundtrack album by
Jasmine Sandlas, Rishi Dutta, Osho Jain, Mohan Kannan, Anurag Saikia, Raghav & Arjun
Released13 October 2023 (2023-10-13)[14]
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length27:55
LanguageHindi
LabelZee Music Company
Singles from Dhak Dhak
  1. "Dhak Dhak - Title Track (Re Banjara)"
    Released: 6 October 2023[15]
Track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Akhiyan Criminal"Jasmine SandlasJasmine SandlasJasmine Sandlas3:01
2."Dhak Dhak - Title Track (Re Banjara)"Kundan Vidyarthi, Baba Bulleh ShahRishi DuttaSunidhi Chauhan, Jatinder Singh3:53
3."Sadke Sadke"Osho JainOsho JainRashmeet Kaur2:28
4."Miltay Hain Na"Mohan KannanMohan Kannan, Aditya PushkarnaMohan Kannan3:57
5."Safar Pe Chale"Avinash ChouhanAnurag SaikiaAmit Trivedi3:14
6."Woh Tara"Raghav, ArjunRaghav, ArjunShannon Donald, Shashaa Tirupati3:48
7."Udd Udd"Gurpreet SainiShruti PathakShruti Pathak3:00
8."Farzi Duniya"Kundan VidyarthiRishi DuttaShruti Pathak, Shivangi Bhayana4:34
Total length:27:55

Reception edit

Reviewing the movie, Sajesh Mohan of Onmanorama wrote, "embarking on a journey to Khardung La on Royal Enfield Bullets is a promise of adventure in itself. Yet, director Tarun Dudeja, in his debut film, takes it a step further by forming an all-women biker gang. This ride turns into an unforgettable pilgrimage with the charming and evergreen Ratna Pathak Shah as Mahi, Dia Mirza as Uzma, Fatima Sana Shaikh as Sky, and Sanjana Sanghi as Manjari. Tarun, collaborating with co-writer Parijat Joshi, assembles this group of riders from the bustling streets of Delhi. It's a world where the trials and tribulations of Mahi, Uzma, Sky, and Manjari all converge on a single theme—the experience of being women in a prejudiced and predatory patriarchal society."[16] A critic from Bollywood Hungama rated the film 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Dhak Dhak is a well-intentioned genuine effort laced with some fine performances by the leading ladies. But due to a weak second half and negligible buzz, the film will suffer at the box office."[17]

In a less positive review, Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express wrote "The Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza starrer is a patchy effort." But she added, "Dhak Dhak’ starts off with many of the expected tropes playing out in a movie of this kind. Very different women, from different walks of life. Troubled past. Conflicted present. All looking for a way out, a way forward. Bumps on the road. Breakdowns of men and machines. And finally, that most elusive, precious element, the connection which binds us despite our differences."[18]

In a slightly negative review, Prathyush Parasuraman of Film Companion said, "Road Trip to Nowhere" with "inane and predictable" plot elements in the second half.[19]

Sequel edit

A sequel Dhak Dhak 2, has been confirmed by actress Sanjana Sanghi, who played the character of Manjari. Sanjana shared the news on her social media.[20]

Accolades edit

Award Ceremony date Category Recipients Result Ref.
Filmfare Awards 28 January 2024 Best Actress (Critics) Fatima Sana Shaikh Nominated [21]
Best Supporting Actress Ratna Pathak Shah Nominated
Best Story Parijat Joshi and Tarun Dudeja Nominated
Best Debut Director Tarun Dudeja Won

Notes edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Dhak Dhak (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Taapsee Pannu announces a new film Dhak Dhak". filmfare.com. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Dhak Dhak: Dia Mirza, Ratna Pathak Shah ride bikes in salwar-kurta". Hindustan Times. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Taapsee Pannu's production 'Dhak Dhak' to release on October 13". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Nominations for the 69th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2024 with Gujarat Tourism: Full list out". Filmfare. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Dhak Dhak: Taapsee Pannu announces road trip film starring Ratna Pathak Shah, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Dia Mirza and Sanjana Sanghi". The Indian Express. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Dia Mirza, Ratna Pathak Shah, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanjana Sanghi star in Taapsee's Dhak Dhak". India Today. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  8. ^ "'Bit the bullet'". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Dia Mirza shoots for Dhak Dhak wearing burqa in 47 degrees in Noida, shares pic as she hugs Fatima Sana Shaikh". Hindustan Times. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Sanjana Sanghi opens up on working with Taapsee Pannu in Dhak Dhak, says 'female energy is pulsating on set' | Exclusive". India Today. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Dhak Dhak stars Dia Mirza, Ratna Pathak, Fatima Shaikh, Sanjana Sanghi ride from Delhi to Khardung La, set record". India Today. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Sanjana Sanghi: We thought there was a woman ghost writer". Mid-day. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Team Dhak Dhak shoots at world's highest motorable pass Khardung La". Hindustan Times. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Dhak Dhak (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) on Apple Music". Apple Music. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Dhak Dhak - Title Track (Re Banjara) (From "Dhak Dhak") - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  16. ^ "'Dhak Dhak': A biker film with heart, humour". OnManorama. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Dhak Dhak Movie Review". Bollywood Hungama. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.     
  18. ^ "Dhak Dhak movie review: The Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza starrer is a patchy effort". 13 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Dhak Dhak Review: Road Trip to Nowhere". 13 October 2023.
  20. ^ "CONFIRMED! Dhak Dhak to get a sequel; Sanjana Sanghi speaks on reviving Manjari". Bollywood Hungama. 19 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Winners of the 69th Filmfare Awards 2024". Filmfare. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.

External links edit