Six years after the original film broached the topic of a significant age-gap romance in mainstream Bollywood, De De Pyaar De 2 attempts to deepen the narrative by introducing the family element. The sequel brings back the couple, Ashish (Ajay Devgn) and Ayesha (Rakul Preet Singh), but shifts the conflict from internal family judgment to a new set of hurdles: Ayesha’s supposedly “modern” and “liberal” parents, Rajji Khurana (R Madhavan) and his wife (Gautami Kapoor).

The central dramatic tension revolves around the parents’ shock and eventual acceptance of a future son-in-law who is their contemporary in age. While co-producer Luv Ranjan, who has penned the screenplay, shows a maturation in his storytelling—moving past the misogynistic undertones of his earlier works—the film still struggles to streamline its message. The movie attempts to celebrate supportive male characters and place women’s happiness at the forefront, suggesting a positive evolution in Ranjan’s portrayal of relationships.

Performances

Despite Ajay Devgn returning to his role as the aging protagonist, it is unequivocally R Madhavan who elevates the film. Playing the protective yet evolving father, Madhavan’s nuanced performance is cited as the standout element. His character arc—transitioning from paternal concern to ultimately respecting his daughter’s life choices—is the film’s most engaging thread. Devgn, by contrast, appears somewhat subdued, while Rakul Preet Singh maintains the spirited energy she brought to the first installment. The reviewer also noted a distinct lack of the spark provided by Tabu in the first film.

Critique and Verdict

The sequel falters in its execution, often feeling less like a cinematic feature and more like an overlong television sitcom. The obvious nature of the indoor sets and the dragging pace contribute to a sense of impatience among viewers. Though the film champions liberal values regarding unconventional relationships, the reviewer notes that the extended runtime required to resolve the central conflict highlights how resistant the mainstream audience might still be to such a concept. The film receives a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, with the final critique suggesting that for true progressive growth in Hindi cinema, the industry must tackle the far less common scenario of an older woman dating a much younger man.