Genre: Musical/Romance
Release Date: 2013
Language: Hindi
Aashiqui 2 (translated as Romance 2) is a 2013 Hindi-language Indian romantic musical drama film directed by Mohit Suri. It was produced by Mukesh Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt, Bhushan Kumar, and Krishan Kumar under the banners of Vishesh Films and T-Series Films, with Mahesh Bhatt serving as the presenter. A spiritual successor to the 1990 classic Aashiqui and loosely inspired by A Star is Born (1937 and 1976 versions), the film features Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor in the lead roles. Supporting performances come from Shaad Randhawa, Mahesh Thakur, and a cameo by Salil Acharya.
Set in the early 2010s, the story follows the intense romantic relationship between Rahul Jaykar, a struggling musician battling alcoholism, and Aarohi Keshav Shirke, an aspiring singer who becomes his protégée. Their love story is tested by Rahul’s personal demons and volatile behavior.
Production and Release
The film faced skepticism from critics and audiences, doubting if it could match the success of the original Aashiqui. Production began in 2011, with filming taking place in Cape Town, Goa, and Mumbai, on a budget of ₹18 crore (US$2.2 million). Despite initial doubts, Aashiqui 2 released on April 26, 2013, and became a major box-office hit. It grossed over ₹109 crore (US$13 million), making it one of the highest-earning Hindi films of 2013 and marking the breakthrough for both Kapur and Kapoor in the industry.
Soundtrack Success
The soundtrack, composed by Mithoon, Ankit Tiwari, and Jeet Gannguli, became an instant sensation, with tracks like “Tum Hi Ho”, “Sunn Raha Hai”, “Chahun Main Ya Naa”, and “Milne Hai Mujhse Aayi” dominating music charts. It is often regarded as one of the finest Bollywood albums of the decade. Later, the movie was remade in Telugu as Nee Jathaga Nenundali.
Plot Summary
The film begins with Rahul Jaykar, a once-famous singer, performing at a concert in Goa. His career is in decline due to his alcohol addiction. After a confrontation with another artist, Rahul leaves the stage mid-performance and heads to a bar. There, he meets Aarohi, a simple bar singer with a soulful voice and dreams of stardom. Impressed by her talent, Rahul vows to make her a celebrated singer and advises her to quit performing in bars. Aarohi, inspired by his promise, returns to Mumbai to pursue her dreams.
Rahul helps Aarohi secure a music contract and trains her. She quickly rises to fame as a playback singer. However, Rahul’s struggles with alcohol resurface, fueled by public gossip about his dependence on Aarohi. This creates tension in their relationship, and despite Aarohi’s efforts to rehabilitate him, Rahul spirals further. Aarohi contemplates giving up her career to care for him, but Rahul insists she prioritize her dreams.
During a turning point, Rahul overhears Aarohi expressing her willingness to leave her career for his sake. Realizing that he has become a burden, Rahul decides to end his life to free Aarohi from his destructive influence. He dies by suicide, leaving Aarohi heartbroken.
Encouraged by Rahul’s manager, Aarohi decides to honor Rahul’s wishes by continuing her career. She signs autographs as “Aarohi Rahul Jaykar” as a tribute to him. In the closing scene, she watches a couple sharing a romantic moment in the rain, reminiscing about her own love story with Rahul.
Aashiqui 2 is remembered not only for its heartfelt storytelling but also for its timeless music and the poignant performances of its leads.
About Aashiqui 2 Movie in Details
Development of Aashiqui 2
In September 2011, Indian media reported that producers Mahesh Bhatt and Bhushan Kumar were interested in creating a sequel to the 1990 musical blockbuster Aashiqui. Bhushan Kumar approached Bhatt with the idea, and it was Shagufta Rafique’s melodramatic romantic script that convinced them the project had potential as a sequel. The decision to proceed was met with skepticism, as the original Aashiqui was hailed as one of the finest Indian musicals, and many doubted whether the sequel could produce a soundtrack that matched its predecessor’s iconic status. Bhatt addressed these concerns by promising that Aashiqui 2 would revive the era of melodious film music, much like the original had done 22 years earlier, while resisting the temptation to reuse the earlier film’s songs.
Initially, Madhur Bhandarkar was approached to direct the sequel, but he declined due to other commitments. By November 2011, Vishal Mahadkar, the director of Blood Money, was announced as the director. However, in a last-minute change, Mohit Suri replaced Mahadkar. Confirming this change, Bhatt stated, “Earlier we had finalized Vishal for the project. But now we have scrapped that idea and found a fresh one. We got Mohit to direct the film.”
Casting
The producers initially launched a nationwide talent hunt to discover new actors for the film, but this plan fell through. According to Mahesh Bhatt, “It was a disastrous talent hunt. We discovered that people lacked the courage to audition. Those who are amateurs went for audition … and people with certain talent were like why should we risk public rejection.” After the talent hunt was abandoned, Suri cast Aditya Roy Kapur in the male lead role after seeing his pictures and meeting him. Kapur’s persona aligned perfectly with the character’s requirements.
In June 2012, Shraddha Kapoor was signed to play the female lead. Bhatt confirmed the casting, citing Kapoor’s talent for handling the challenging role. Defending his choice to cast relatively inexperienced actors, Suri stated, “People said I couldn’t make a film with new actors and expect an audience to come in. But I was pretty sure I wanted Aditya and Shraddha to play my protagonists. My writer Shagufta Rafique and I saw them as the protagonists. Aditya and Shraddha may have had unsuccessful films before, but that never took away from their talent.”
Filming
Principal photography for Aashiqui 2 began in late 2012 with the lead cast. The film was shot in locations such as Goa, Mumbai, and Cape Town.
During a pivotal scene in South Africa, Shraddha Kapoor accidentally knelt on broken glass fragments while filming an emotional sequence where her character had to kneel on the floor and talk to Aditya Roy Kapur’s character. She required immediate medical attention but continued filming. Aditya Roy Kapur also faced challenges during a scene where the characters light Chinese lanterns in Cape Town; he sustained burns on his hand but completed the shoot without delays.
The production’s dedication and the challenges faced by the cast contributed to the emotional depth and authenticity portrayed in the film, making it a memorable cinematic experience.
Marketing and Release of Aashiqui 2
The first look of Aashiqui 2 was unveiled on 22 March 2013 and received a positive response from critics and audiences. In a departure from conventional Bollywood marketing strategies, the film’s songs were released prior to the theatrical trailer, helping to build anticipation. The first song, “Tum Hi Ho,” released on 16 March 2013, became an instant sensation, earning critical acclaim and amassing around 2 million views on YouTube within 10 days. Its popularity extended to trending on platforms like Twitter and YouTube, significantly contributing to the film’s marketing success.
On 3 April 2013, the makers released the film’s preview poster, featuring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor under a jacket in a rain-drenched street illuminated by a streetlight. This iconic image was replicated by the actors at the music release event, further engaging fans. The theatrical trailer, released two weeks before the film’s premiere, was similarly well-received.
Despite a limited promotional window of less than three weeks, the marketing strategy was creative and impactful. A music concert featuring performances by singers from the film’s soundtrack was organized to promote the film. Additionally, Aashiqui 2 jackets, inspired by the poster, were launched, and statues of the couple hiding under the jacket were placed in various theaters, creating a unique branding experience.
Initially planned for a Valentine’s Day release on 14 February 2013, the film’s release was postponed due to production delays. It eventually premiered on 26 April 2013, opening in over 1100 screens across India. However, the film did not release in major overseas markets like the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Box Office Performance
On its opening day, Aashiqui 2 collected approximately ₹52.5 million (US$630,000) and earned ₹179 million (US$2.1 million) during its first weekend. By the end of its first week, the film had collected ₹347 million (US$4.2 million).
Despite new releases, the film maintained its momentum in its second week, earning an additional ₹174 million (US$2.1 million) and taking its total to ₹470 million (US$5.6 million). In its third week, the collections rose to ₹635 million (US$7.6 million), marking the highest third-week collections of 2013 to that date. The consistent performance extended into the fourth weekend, pushing total earnings to ₹710 million (US$8.5 million).
According to Box Office India, Aashiqui 2 demonstrated exceptional box office trends, with fourth-week collections of ₹75 million (US$900,000)—surpassing all films released in the previous decade except 3 Idiots. The film earned ₹57.5 million (US$690,000) in its fifth week and concluded its domestic run with total earnings of approximately ₹780 million (US$9.3 million) by the sixth week.
International Performance and Lifetime Collections
Internationally, the film was released in select markets, including the UAE and Pakistan, where it collected US$150,000 during its opening weekend. Its worldwide gross reached ₹1 billion (US$12 million) by its fourth week.
During its entire theatrical run, Aashiqui 2 earned a total of ₹1.09 billion (US$13 million), cementing its status as a blockbuster. It became the highest-grossing film produced by Vishesh Films and the second-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2013.
Critical Response to Aashiqui 2
Aashiqui 2 received widespread acclaim for its performances, lead pair’s chemistry, and music, though some critics gave mixed reviews.
Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, declaring it “an absolute must-watch for romantics.” He praised the film for bringing “romance back on the Hindi screen – intense, pure, selfless, and heart-wrenching.” Adarsh lauded the performances, stating, “Aditya Roy Kapur’s depiction of the intense character is outstanding… [which] clearly demonstrates his potency as an artist of caliber and competence. Shraddha Kapoor is simply amazing, especially in the demanding moments of the second hour.” He also commended the “incredible chemistry” between the lead actors.
Indiatimes rated the film 3.5 out of 5, appreciating Mohit Suri’s direction for blending “old-world romance, high-drama, and well-crafted heart-breaking moments.” Similarly, Indo-Asian News Service gave it 3.5 out of 5, highlighting Suri’s “sincere and deep understanding of the dynamics that destroy love and trust between couples in the glamorous and competitive profession.” The review also acknowledged the film’s darker take on romance, comparing it to A Star Is Born and praising it for breaking away from the conventional Romeo & Juliet narrative.
However, some critics offered more tempered views. Writing for Hindustan Times, Anupama Chopra rated the film 2.5 out of 5 and noted that it fell short of its potential. She remarked, “It’s an interesting scenario and Suri and his actors set it up well.” While she critiqued the film overall, Chopra commended the performances, particularly Aditya Roy Kapur’s portrayal of Rahul’s anguish, calling it “earnest and broken.” She also highlighted Shraddha Kapoor’s performance as a standout, saying, “The real triumph here is Shraddha, whose porcelain face has a haunting vulnerability. She’s very good as the woman in the throes of a grand passion who believes that love will show the way.”
Despite some mixed reactions, Aashiqui 2 was largely celebrated for its emotional depth and compelling portrayal of love and sacrifice.