Film Review: DHOBI GHAT (MUMBAI DIARIES)

DHOBI GHAT is an Intellectual Cinema. But... .

Please NOTE the following while you go to watch DHOBI GHAT:

* Its a out and out Kiran Rao film, who happens to be the intellectual Mrs. Aamir Khan.
* Kiran Rao herself being an Assistant Director earlier is making her debut with this Indian Documentary film.
* Its NOT a Bollywoodish film.
* Do not expect a romantic song, an action scene or a comedy in the film!
* No magic from Aamir Khan (Definitely not going to deserve a award for his performance)
* Aamir Khan is more like a character with minimal scope.
* With or without Aamir Khan, the film does not make any difference.
* Pratiek Babbar reminds you of all his mother (Smita Patil)'s arty films.
* Slumdog Millionaire once again? Yes.. with the way, the films narrative is. But not the way it is portrayed! But, Slumdog wooed the audience, Dhobi will boo... by the audience!
* And lastly, do not expect a Break, as you walk in to the theater to watch the film and walk out, only you realize, that its not Interval but The End.

There’s Munna (Prateik Babbar), a handsome young laundry boy (dhobi) who collects, washes and delivers clothes for middle class Mumbaites like Arun (Aamir Khan), a lauded artist whose oil paintings are no way as haunting as the mysterious package he finds in his new apartment. Then there’s Shai (Monica Dogra), an affluent American born investment banker on a sabbatical in Mumbai who meets and quickly becomes fascinated by Arun after spending the night with him. Finally there’s Yasmin (Kriti Malhotra) a newly married housewife who films an innocent video diary for her brother while sitting at home and yearning for her elusive husband. And most important is Mumbai, the city that never sleeps. It witnesses everything by giving shelter to the 4 characters and leading their journey through longing, loneliness, love and loss.

Having said all this: Its a intellectual film, but...only for those who love to give a stand ovation, applaud, get itself categorized as Critics Film and being labeled as ART Cinema. It doesn't try to thrill, titillate or shock; it is rather like a mellow, low-pitched and laid-back reading of a set of diaries.

P.S: As the film is about a DHOBI (Laundry), it also is a film that can be a Yawn-dry for some! Yes, Yawn and very Dry too! Well, for many who look forward to watch a Aamir Khan film, it can be also a GHATiya film, because what they expect, they do not get! Not a sensitive performance, nor a romantic hero or a action one nor a comic act which is Aamir Khan stamp (Taare, Idiots, Ghajini, Lagaan).

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic