Zee Studios and Emmay Entertainment’s Kaalidhar Laapata is the story of a 40-year-old bachelor who has early onset dementia.
Kaalidhar (Abhishek Bachchan) has become forgetful because of early onset dementia. His younger brothers, Manohar (Vishwanath Chatterjee) and Sundar (Priyank Tiwari), and sister-in-law, Neetu (Madhulika Jatoliya), are waiting for him to die so that they can sell the family property, which stands in his name, and repay their loans from the sale proceeds. Sensing that his dementia could be a good ground to leave him in the Kumbh mela so that he’d never find his way back home, the three take him to the mela. Before they can fully abandon him, Kaalidhar himself goes away to Bhojpur from Kumbh mela when he learns of their evil plan. Circumstances force the family to hunt for Kaalidhar but he is untraceable. Subodh (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) volunteers to track down Kaalidhar — for his own selfish motive. In Bhojpur, Kaalidhar befriends 10-year-old Ballu (Daivik Baghela) and establishes a loving bond with him. Ultimately, one day, Kaalidhar returns to his home. What happens thereafter? Do Manohar, Neetu and Sundar succeed in their evil designs?
Madhumita has written a very predictable story which bears a striking resemblance to the recent flop, Vanvaas. The screenplay, written by Madhumita and Amitosh Nagpal, is clichéd and fails to touch the heart in spite of being a family drama. The emotions simply don’t strike a chord in the viewer’s heart. Ballu’s disappearance in the climax does not sit well with the earlier part of the drama. The track of Kaalidhar’s ex-girlfriend, Meera (Nimrat Kaur), looks like a mandatory add-on. Amitosh Nagpal’s dialogues are very good at places.
Abhishek Bachchan delivers an inspired performance as Kaalidhar. Daivik Baghela has done well as Ballu. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub leaves a fine mark in the role of Subodh. Vishwanath Chatterjee is natural as Manohar. Madhulika Jatoliya is okay as Neetu. Priyank Tiwari is so-so in the role of Sundar. Nimrat Kaur is alright in a brief role as Meera. Priya Yadav lends average support as Kaalidhar’s sister, Gudiya. Richa Meena passes muster as Subodh’s wife. Abhay Arvind Kulkarni (as Kaalidhar’s friend, Ramlakhan), Abhishek Baburao Bachankar (as Chhotu), Manthan Sethia (as young Manohar), Ayush Gupta (as young Sundar), Kesar Gulwani (as young Gudiya) and the others are passable.
Madhumita’s direction is ordinary. There’s nothing to rave about in the script or its narration. Amit Trivedi’s music is not noteworthy. Geeta Sagar’s lyrics are meaningful. Rahul Shetty’s choreography is ordinary. Tajdar Junaid’s background music should’ve been far more effective. Gairik Sarkar’s cinematography is quite nice. Amin Khatib’s action and stunt scenes are functional. Ashwini Shrivastav’s production designing, and Rajesh Subhash Dagar’s art direction are so-so. Gairik Sarkar’s editing needed to be sharper.
On the whole, Kaalidhar Laapata is an ordinary fare for OTT. Had it released in cinemas, it would’ve flopped.
Released on 4-7-’25 on Zee5.
