Director: Raaj Shaandilyaa
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Ananya Panday, Paresh Rawal, Annu Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, Asrani, Abhishek Banerjee, Manjot Singh, Seema Pahwa
 
Dream Girl 2 arrives on the scene four years after its predecessor, promising a fresh dose of quirky comedy. However, despite the best efforts of a talented ensemble cast, the film falls short of recreating the charm that made the original a delight.
 
The plot revolves around Karamveer (Ayushmann Khurrana), who must navigate a bizarre situation to marry his girlfriend, Pari (Ananya Panday). In an attempt to raise a hefty sum of money quickly, he adopts the persona of Pooja, a woman working as a dancer at a bar. What follows is a series of comedic situations as various characters pursue Pooja for different reasons.
 
Director Raaj Shaandilyaa attempts to inject new life into the familiar premise, but the narrative loses its way, resulting in a mishmash of characters and situations. The film touches upon mental health issues, but the treatment lacks sensitivity, reducing it to a casual mention of a 'rich person’s disease.' The introduction of multiple characters, including Shoukiya, Shahrukh, Abu Saleem, and Jumani, adds complexity but fails to enhance the overall storytelling.
 
Ayushmann Khurrana's performance is a highlight, as he skillfully switches between Karam and Pooja, excelling in dance sequences and situational comedy. However, the film struggles to make the most of his talents. Ananya Panday, in a limited role, faces challenges in maintaining consistency in her Braj Bhasha dialogue delivery. Annu Kapoor stands out among the supporting cast, while others deliver commendable performances.
 
The humor in Dream Girl 2 often feels forced, with some tracks stretching unnecessarily and diluting the overall pacing. The dialogue delivery and comic timing, essential for a comedy film, miss the mark at times. The music, composed by Meet Bros and Tanishk Bagchi, lacks memorability, save for the redux of "Dil Ka Telephone 2.0."
 
In conclusion, Dream Girl 2 relies heavily on familiar territory, straying into unnecessary comedic tangents. While it offers moments of entertainment and strong performances, it struggles to capture the quirky magic that made the original a success. Perhaps, in this sequel, the dream is not as enchanting as it once was.