Dhobi Ghat Movie Review

There is no place for middle ground here - you either love Dhobi Ghat, or you hate it. Either way, you can't really ignore it.

I loved it, people. Hindi cinema is finally growing up. What's interesting is this movie isn't just about Aamir Khan, the superstar. The movie follows the lives of four people - Arun, Munna, Shai, and Yasmin.

The Cast

Arun is a reclusive painter, played to the hilt by Aamir. He gobbled up the part, easing into character like he were living it his entire life. Be it the careless way he makes his scrambled eggs, or the giddy happiness he feels when he looks at his work of art, Aamir is the master.

Munna is the dhobi, played by Prateik Babbar. The son of legendary actress Smita Patil, he does his mom proud. Endearing at times, curiously grown-up and matter-of-fact at others, Prateik is inching his way into Bollywood. He showed you don't need to bare your teeth to prove you are angry, or shed copious tears to prove you are sad. With a subtlety that most mainstream actors of today cannot dream of, Munna's role overshadows everyone else's.

Shai and Yasmin have been played by Monica Dogra and Kriti Malhotra respectively; Monica is like a breath of fresh air, and Kriti is, well, the lovely girl next door who no one can do without.

The Story

Unfortunately, I cannot write about the story without inadvertently spouting some spoilers - suffice it to say that Dhobi Ghat is the story of these four people, the story of a brief period in all of their lives. A brief period when their lives are entangled. Do they become better people afterwards? You are the judge. Do their lives change? Yes sir, very much.

The movie is completely based in Mumbai, doesn't have a single song, doesn't have a break, and wraps up in less than 100 minutes. Chew on that, Karan Johar and Bhansali.

I said the same thing about Inception, and I will say the same of Dhobi Ghat - don't miss it.