Kaalidhar Laapata Review

Star Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Daivik, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, Nimrat Kaur
Director: Madhumita
Available On: Zee 5

The premise of Kaalidhar Laapata is simple, almost poetic. A man in his 40s, suffering from dementia, is abandoned by his family after they slyly acquire his thumbprints on important documents. But in a twist of fate, the family loses the very documents they sought and must now find the man they deliberately lost. This is a tale of loneliness, betrayal, and a desperate search for one last signature. Yet, despite its emotional potential, the film feels as lost as its protagonist.

Story Analysis :

The movie attempts to create a heartfelt connection between Kaalidhar (KD) and a young boy named Ballu, who was also abandoned. Their relationship, however, is a one-way street. Ballu, a mature giver beyond his years, takes it upon himself to care for the emotionally absent KD. He finds solace in making KD happy, but the reciprocal warmth is missing. KD remains too absorbed in his own mental struggles to even notice Ballu’s sacrifices, like quitting school. The story, which should have been a beautiful exploration of two lonely souls finding each other, becomes a monotonous depiction of one-sided care.

While the film struggles to engage, there are fleeting moments of grace. The background score occasionally manages to be unobtrusive, and some dialogues, particularly those delivered by the young Ballu, land with honesty and sincerity. The child actor, Daivik Baghela, is arguably the film’s only saving grace. His quirkiness and compelling delivery add a much-needed spark to an otherwise dull narrative.

Performances :

Abhishek Bachchan’s performance as Kaalidhar feels like a missed opportunity. He is an honest actor, and his struggle with a poorly written and executed script is palpable. The emotional weight the film aims for never materializes, leaving his character feeling half-baked and aimless. The same can be said for the rest of the cast. Even talented actors like Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub and Nimrat Kaur are wasted in poorly defined roles that go nowhere. Nimrat Kaur’s cameo, in particular, feels bizarre and disconnected from the main plot.

The film’s biggest failing lies in its direction. Director Madhusmita seems to have taken the original Tamil comedy-drama, Karruppu Durrai, and drained it of all its life. The Hindi adaptation is a depressing film that fails to connect with its audience. All the characters, emotions, and story arcs feel deliberately lost, mirroring Kaalidhar’s own desire to be “gumshuda.” The film seems to have a profound apathy towards its own narrative, and sadly, this feeling is transferred to the audience.

Direction :

Director Madhusmita adapts her Tamil film Karruppu Durrai — originally a lighthearted comedy-drama — into a bleak, dragging storyline. In the process, the humor and heart that could have elevated the story are lost. The result is a film where not just the protagonist, but also the emotions and plot, feel “Laapata” (missing).

Verdict: Watch or Not?

Skip it. Kaalidhar Laapata is a film that promises a soulful journey but delivers a lifeless, aimless narrative. The emotional core is missing, and even a strong performance from the young child actor isn’t enough to save this sinking ship. There are far more emotionally resonant stories to watch. This one, much like its title, is best left to be ‘laapata.’