ABCD 2
ABCD 2 (stylized as ABCD 2; released internationally as Any Body Can Dance 2) is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language 3D dance drama film directed, co-produced, and choreographed by Remo D'Souza.[1][2] It serves as a spiritual sequel to the 2013 film ABCD: Any Body Can Dance, focusing on themes of perseverance, friendship, and redemption through dance.[1] The story centers on Suresh (Varun Dhawan), a talented dancer from Mumbai, and his childhood friend Vinnie (Shraddha Kapoor), who lead the street dance crew Mumbai Stunners.[3] After being accused of plagiarizing moves from a Filipino troupe at a national reality dance competition, the group faces public humiliation and disbandment.[3] To redeem themselves, Suresh recruits the reclusive, alcoholic former champion choreographer Vishnu (Prabhu Deva) to train the team for the World Hip-Hop Dance Championship in Las Vegas.[3] Despite challenges including financial betrayal by Vishnu, injuries, and intense competition, the troupe perseveres, ultimately reaching the finals where they deliver a memorable performance, though they do not win.[3] The film features a supporting cast including Raghav Juyal as the crew's comic relief member, Parth Bhalerao, and international dancer Lauren Gottlieb as Olive, a key addition to the team.[2] Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and UTV Motion Pictures under the banner of Star Studios, with Siddharth Roy Kapur as a key producer, ABCD 2 was released on 19 June 2015 in both 2D and 3D formats across India and select international markets.[1] The soundtrack, composed by Sachin–Jigar, became a major commercial hit, with songs like "Sun Saathiya" and "Bezubaan" topping charts and contributing to the film's energetic vibe through fusion of Indian and hip-hop styles.[2] Shot extensively in Mumbai and Las Vegas, the production emphasized high-energy choreography, drawing inspiration from real-life Indian dance crews competing internationally.[4] Critically, ABCD 2 received mixed reviews, with praise for its spectacular dance sequences and performances by Dhawan and Kapoor, but criticism for a formulaic plot and pacing issues in the first half.[4] Commercially, it was a blockbuster, grossing ₹105.74 crore nett in India and over ₹161 crore worldwide, marking the highest opening weekend for a Bollywood film in 2015 at ₹46.16 crore nett.[5] The success solidified Remo D'Souza's reputation in the dance film genre and boosted the careers of its young leads, while highlighting Bollywood's growing appeal in 3D dance spectacles.[6]Production
Development
Following the commercial success of the 2013 dance film ABCD: Anybody Can Dance, which grossed approximately ₹60 crore worldwide, director Remo D'Souza announced plans for a sequel in September 2013, confirming his return to helm the project under the Disney banner.[7][8] The announcement highlighted the film's focus on elevating the dance genre with international elements, building on the original's 3D format and ensemble choreography.[9] Script development began shortly thereafter, with D'Souza collaborating with screenwriter Tushar Hiranandani to craft a narrative inspired by the real-life journey of the Mumbai-based dance crew Fictitious, founded by Suresh Mukund (the basis for the lead character).[10][11] The story drew from their struggles and triumphs in competitive dance circuits, emphasizing themes of perseverance without significant alterations to the core events, as D'Souza noted the authenticity of the source material.[12] Dialogues were penned by Mayur Puri, ensuring a blend of emotional depth and high-energy sequences.[13] Pre-production advanced in 2014, with the official title ABCD 2 (also stylized as Any Body Can Dance 2) confirmed during early planning stages, alongside a decision to film in native 3D to enhance the visual spectacle of dance routines.[14] The estimated budget was set at approximately ₹65 crore (US$8.6 million), reflecting investments in choreography, visual effects, and international shoots.[15] Producers Siddharth Roy Kapur and Ronnie Screwvala, through UTV Motion Pictures (a Disney India subsidiary), oversaw the project, leveraging their prior collaboration on the original film to secure resources for a global scope.[16] A key aspect of pre-production involved planning sequences set in Las Vegas, where the fictional dance competition unfolds, requiring coordination for location scouting and permissions in the United States to capture authentic urban and performance venues.[17] D'Souza highlighted logistical hurdles in obtaining approvals for crowd scenes and street performances, which necessitated partnerships with local authorities and extended preparation to align with the film's narrative of an Indian crew competing abroad.[18] These efforts underscored the sequel's ambition to portray cross-cultural dance aspirations, with lead roles envisioned for performers like Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor to anchor the ensemble.[19]Casting
The casting for ABCD 2 marked a shift from the ensemble of non-professional dancers in the original 2013 film, with director Remo D'Souza emphasizing the selection of performers who possessed both strong acting credentials and dance proficiency to carry the narrative-driven sequel.[20][19] Varun Dhawan was the first lead announced in May 2014, cast in the central role of Suresh "Suru" Mukund, a talented street dancer leading a Mumbai-based troupe inspired by real-life choreographer Suresh Mukund.[21][11] Shraddha Kapoor joined shortly thereafter, confirmed by September 2014 first-look reveals, portraying Vinita "Vinnie" Sharma, Suresh's love interest and fellow dancer in the group.[22][23] To populate the supporting roles, D'Souza drew heavily from India's dance reality television scene, particularly alumni of shows like Dance India Dance, prioritizing individuals with proven choreography and performance experience.[19] Prabhudheva reprised a key position from the first film as Vishnu, the troupe's mentor figure and guru, providing continuity while guiding the younger dancers.[24][25] Dharmesh Yelande, a Dance India Dance champion, was cast as Dharmesh "D," a core ensemble member showcasing intricate hip-hop routines.[26] Raghav Juyal portrayed Raghav "Crocxz," another troupe dancer known for contemporary styles, and Sushant Pujari played Vernon Monteiro, drawing from the real Fictitious Dance crew's co-founder.[26][27][11] Auditions for additional ensemble dancers involved hundreds of participants, many scouted from reality TV backgrounds, to ensure authentic group dynamics without relying solely on non-actors as in the predecessor.[20] The new leads represented a deliberate refresh for the franchise, replacing the original's focus on choreographer cameos with established stars capable of emotional depth alongside physical demands, though Prabhudheva's return and brief appearances by original collaborators like Ganesh Acharya maintained ties to the first installment.[28][24] To prepare, Dhawan and Kapoor underwent several months of intensive dance training under D'Souza's supervision, with Kapoor specifically dedicating around six months to master diverse forms including hip-hop, krumping, and lyrical styles, building on her prior experience.[29][30][31] This regimen, lasting 3-6 months for the principals, emphasized synchronization for the film's competition sequences and elevated the ensemble's overall precision.[32]Filming
Principal photography for ABCD 2 began on August 31, 2014, in Mumbai, where the production team captured interior scenes in local studios and outdoor sequences across the city. The shoot progressed to international locations in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the film's key competition sequences, with the U.S. schedule concluding on December 31, 2014. Overall, filming spanned about five months, wrapping up in early 2015.[33] The film was lensed in 3D to enhance its high-octane dance visuals, with cinematographer Vijay Kumar Arora utilizing a dynamic, roving camera setup to emphasize the fluid and energetic movements of the performers. Editing duties fell to Manan Sagar, who prioritized seamless integration of the choreography to maintain the production's rhythmic pace.[34][35] Capturing the high-energy dance shots presented logistical challenges, as the sequences demanded precision and stamina, often requiring multiple takes to synchronize the dancers' actions under the 3D rig. Aerial elements in some routines involved wire work to achieve elevated perspectives, adding complexity to the stunt coordination in Las Vegas.[4] The production encountered minor on-set incidents, including injuries during intense choreography rehearsals; lead actress Shraddha Kapoor sustained a muscle pull while practicing a split, and co-star Varun Dhawan suffered a back strain during a performance segment. These were addressed through physiotherapy and rest, ensuring no delays to the schedule.[36][37]Story and characters
Plot
ABCD 2 follows Suresh (Varun Dhawan), a talented street dancer from Mumbai, who faces public humiliation after being falsely accused of plagiarizing dance moves from a Filipino troupe during a national reality dance competition.[3] Determined to prove his innocence and talent, Suresh reforms the Mumbai Stunners dance crew, including his childhood friend Vinnie (Shraddha Kapoor) and other members, and recruits the reclusive, alcoholic former champion choreographer Vishnu (Prabhu Deva) to train them for the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in Las Vegas.[3][1] The narrative unfolds in three key acts. The first act centers on the reformation of the Mumbai Stunners amid personal and societal struggles in India, highlighting their initial setbacks and unbreakable spirit.[38] The second act shifts to rigorous training sessions under Vishnu and the challenges of preparing for international travel, including financial betrayal by Vishnu, limited resources, and internal dynamics, before he returns to the team. The third act builds to the high-stakes competition in Las Vegas, where their skills and unity are put to the ultimate test; they reach the finals and deliver a memorable performance but do not win due to a mishap.[3][4] Central themes include perseverance in the face of adversity, the strength of friendship and teamwork, and the transformative power of dance as a means of self-expression and redemption. Subplots explore budding romance between Suresh and Vinnie, as well as individual journeys of overcoming doubt and betrayal, all woven into the group's collective pursuit of vindication.[39] The story emphasizes honor and loyalty, portraying dance not just as entertainment but as a path to personal and communal growth.[4] Presented in a semi-musical format, the film integrates high-energy dance sequences that advance the plot and character development, blending drama with rhythmic performances shot in 3D. Running 154 minutes, it maintains a fast-paced rhythm driven by these choreographed numbers.[40] The team's journey culminates in moments of profound personal achievement and strengthened bonds, underscoring the idea that dedication can triumph over obstacles.[1]Cast
The cast of ABCD 2 features a mix of established actors and professional dancers, emphasizing authentic performance in the film's dance-centric narrative. The leads portray members of the fictional dance crew "Mumbai Stunners," with roles highlighting their choreography skills.[26]| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Varun Dhawan | Suresh "Suru" Mukund |
| Shraddha Kapoor | Vinita "Vinnie" Sharma |
| Prabhu Deva | Vishnu |
| Dharmesh Yelande | Dharmesh a.k.a. "D" |
| Lauren Gottlieb | Olive |
| Punit Pathak | Vinod |
| Raghav Juyal | Raghav "Crocxz" |