Delayed for almost four years for various reasons, Dhadkan finally released on August 11, 2000, coinciding with the Independence Day weekend. It received positive reviews from critics upon release, and emerged as a major commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹26 crore worldwide. The soundtrack album emerged as the second best-selling album of the year after Mohabbatein.[7] this film is now achieved cult status, having gained a significant and passionate fanbase.
Anjali Chauhan Verma (Shilpa Shetty) is the only daughter of a wealthy businessman in love with Dev Chopra (Suniel Shetty). Dev is of humble means but Anjali's father reluctantly agrees to meet him. However he rejects Dev for apparent rudeness and uncivilized behavior. An attempt to elope with Dev is foiled. Her father emotionally manipulates her into an agreement to marry Ram Verma (Akshay Kumar) a man chosen by him. Dev is left heartbroken.
Anjali marries Ram and joins his household; a step-mother and step- siblings who detest him. Ram however loves his step-family with a pure heart. He gives Anjali time to find her space within the new family but she cannot return his affection.
Ram’s stepbrother tries to seduce Anjali and when caught accuses her of being the guilty party. But his eyes now open, Ram fully supports his wife and asks the step family to leave the home. Anjali falls in love with him.
Three years later at their wedding anniversary celebrations Dev, now wealthy, returns as a rival in business and in love . Anjali is stunned into silence. Dev, unable to see Anjali's fulfilled happiness tries to reach out to his first love. He cannot bear to hear her pleas to leave her be.
Dev Chopra, wretched with rejection, decides to ruin Ram Verma. With Ram’s step-siblings he manages to bring financial ruin to Ram and Anjali. When Ram hears Anjali talking to her father about Dev he reproaches Anjali for hiding her past. But she faints and it is revealed that she is pregnant. Anjali meets Dev Chopra for a poignant farewell. He returns all that he had taken and leaves his past behind. Music fills the spaces in between words throughout the narrative.
The music of the album has been composed by duo Nadeem–Shravan in the span of three years. "Dulhe Ka Sehra" sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was composed in 1997. The other songs were also recorded in 1997–98, with the exception of "Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein", which was recorded in 2000 at London. "Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Hai Dil Se" and "Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein" became legendary love tracks and "Dulhe Ka Sehra" a popular wedding song till date. The other successful songs are "Aksar Is Duniya Mein" and "Na Na Karte Pyaar". The song " Aksar Is Duniya Mein" was inspired from Lebanese song "Atshana", which sung Nazwa karam in 1999. The album was listed at second position in the yearly music charts. According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, around 4.5 million units were sold making it the second highest-selling album of the year after Mohabbatein.[8] The soundtrack was #73 on the list of "100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks of All Time", as compiled by Planet Bollywood
Dhadkan is an intense love story and director Dharmesh Darshan has handled it with the sensitivity it deserves ... Despite the flaws, one has to acknowledge the fact that Dharmesh Darshan succeeds in melting the heart at several places. The entire marriage song-sequence in the initial reels, prior to it the scenes involving Sharmila Tagore, Sunil's portions in the second half, clearly indicate that the director knows his job well. He relies more on close-ups to capture expressions, which is the hallmark of a seasoned technician.
Adarsh described Shilpa Shetty as the "life of the enterprise", adding that she "looks good, delivers her lines effectively and emotes with utmost conviction."He said Sunil Shetty's performance is one of his best, especially the scenes between Sunil and Shilpa are fabulous." He also remarked "Akshay Kumar shows vast improvement as an actor. He is very controlled and handles this difficult role with sincerity."[9]
Padmaraj Nair of Screen felt the film had a "nostalgic feel to it, what with the effect of watching social drama from the good ol' 60s." He added that the film was "fairly interesting in the first half, with its slick screenplay, But the director does seem to lose his grip towards the end, as the film climaxes rather tamely. It seems as if he developed cold feet as far as justifying the grey role of Sunil Shetty is concerned, and ends up portraying him on a positive note." He felt, performance-wise, Shetty "scores over the rest", while adding, "Shilpa gets the best role of her career and doesn't disappoint. Akshay Kumar, in the role of the cool-headed husband, is impressive." On other departments of the film, he concluded writing, "Nadeem-Shravan's music is the very lifeline of the film, and all the tracks are melodious and situational. Cinematography by W. B. Rao is outstanding."[10]
The film was released on 11 August 2000 at 250 screens.
Dhadkan had a worldwide theatrical release on August 11, 2000 during the Independence Day weekend and garnered predominantly positive reviews.[11] It emerged as a commercial success grossing ₹26 crore in global markets.The film’s music, composed by Nadeem – Shravan, went on to break records.[12]
Remake
This film was unofficially remade in Bangladesh in 2001, titled as Hridoyer Bandhon.
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