Kuch Kuch Hotahai2': A Sequel to College Coolness?

It's been over a decade since director Karan Johar captivated audiences with his debut film 'Kuch KuchHotta Hai', starring the iconic trio of Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee and Kajol. The movie set new standards for college rom-coms, catapulting its leads to superstardom overnight.

Now, 14 years later, Karan Johar is back with 'StudentoftheYear2', an eagerly anticipated sequel that promises more of the same magic. Starring three fresh faces - Varun Dhawan, SiddharthMalhotra and Alia Bhatt - in lead roles, can this film live up to its predecessor's expectations?

The answer lies in Johar's masterful direction once again. Like 'Kuch Kachotta Hai', 'StudentoftheYear2' takes us back into the world of college life where friendships are formed, love stories unfold and dreams come true.

But unlike his earlier venture which focused primarily on campus politics and romance, this sequel delapsesslightlyontheselements to explore more mature themes such as social media addiction, peer pressure and self-discovery.

The movie follows the story of two friends - Rohan (played by Malhotra) who is part of an elite group called 'Cool Kids' at St. Teresa's College; while his best friend, Abhishek 'Abhi' (portrayed by Dhawan), feels left behind because he doesn't fit into their exclusive clique.

As they navigate through high school shenanigans and heartbreaks galore, Rohan falls head over heels for the beautiful Ananya Pandey who is new to town. But things get complicated when Abhishek develops feelings for her too!

Meanwhile, Johar also introduces us to another key character - Alia Bhatt as Janaki 'Janaki' D'Souza aka 'Jo' a tough-as-nails college principal whose strict demeanor hides an adorable soft spot inside.

Throughout the film's runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes (including credits), we witness Johar skillfully balance humor with pathos, drama with emotion. The director knows exactly when to bring out the laughs courtesy his talented cast - Varun Dhawan is a riot as Abhishek while Alia Bissimaas Jo; her chemistry with both lead actors leaves us in stitches more than once.

But what truly sets 'Student oftheYear2' apart from other college rom-coms is its attempt to address real issues faced by today's youth. From social media addiction and cyberbullying to peer pressure and self-acceptance, Johar tackles these topics with sensitivity without ever going overboard or becoming preachy.

In conclusion, while 'Student oftheYear2' may not match the iconic status achieved by its predecessor due to sky-high expectations; Karan Johar's latest offering still manages to entertain us thoroughly. With great performances from his lead actors and some much-needed laughs thrown into the mix - this sequel is definitely worth watching for all those who loved college rom-coms back in the day!

Rating: 3/5 stars

Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers about key plot points of 'StudentoftheYear2'. Readers are advised to watch the movie first before reading further.

Kuch kuch hota hai 2