“Dream Girl 2” Review : Double the insanity, double the confusion.

Dream Girl 2 enters as the anticipated successor to its 2019 predecessor, retaining most of its original cast with a clear intent to challenge gender norms more boldly. This 2023 installment gains a distinctive edge from this endeavor. However, it occasionally grapples with its two-hour-twenty-minute runtime, despite the continuous influx of characters. The many characters don’t quite help the narrative, however possibly makes the film seem over crowded.

Karam (Ayushmann Khurrana) and his father (Annu Kapoor) embody the struggles of the middle-class. Their dilapidated haveli, heavily mortgaged, serves as their abode. Karam, a high school graduate grappling with unemployment, faces limited prospects beyond engaging in a devotional dance for Mata Rani. Pari (Ananya Panday), a lawyer, stands by him, even as her father (Manoj Joshi) demands financial security before their union.

Here’s where the spectacle unfolds. In the previous installment, Khurrana employed his distinct high-pitched voice to induce laughter. This time, however, he ventures further. This time he completely morphs into a woman. Yes, Karam embraces cross-dressing, utilizing oranges as makeshift breasts (evoking memories of Rishi Kapoor and Gufi Paintal in ‘Raffoochakkar’), alongside layers of makeup to conceal his facial hair.

Various sequences of mistaken identities and the resulting complexities is what forms a large chunk of the film. In fact, that is the film. Singh once again assumes the role of the best friend, now entangled in a love story with Sakeena, a Muslim girl, giving rise to several ‘Gadar’ references (a Sikh guy-Muslim girl dynamic, you get it?). A commendable aspect of ‘Dream Girl 2’ is its depiction of characters from diverse religious backgrounds intermingling in a high-budget Bollywood production. This stands out especially considering the often-limited representation of Muslims in mainstream cinema. Sakeena’s father (Paresh Rawal) shatters stereotypes with his open-mindedness, while her aunt (Seema Pahwa) navigates her affections for a younger man. Her brother (Abhishek Bannerjee) carries a concealed heartache. The film amalgamates elements reminiscent of classic Muslim social films with the subversive spirit characteristic of popular Hindi cinema.

Delving into the intricacies of this ensemble proves to be a substantial task, particularly when the narrative intersects with the nightclub owner (Vijay Raaz) who becomes infatuated with Pooja – Karam’s female alter ego. Amid these intertwining’s, the film periodically returns to Khurrana’s character and his ‘true love’, Pari. Ananya Panday’s role offers limited scope, yet she exhibits growth in scenes that demand subtlety. She definitely has potential. One can make out that she does slightly improve with each film.

Overall, “Dream Girl 2” has its moments, but similar to the predecessor, it occasionally finds difficulty sustaining momentum, especially during moments of self-righteous monologues that underscore its liberal, socially-conscious stance. Go for it if you want some fun with friends and family! It’s definitely a one time watch!

3 out of 5 stars.