There’s a certain nostalgia attached to chaotic comedies like Dhamaal and Dhol, films that thrived on absurdity, impeccable timing, and a tightly woven madness that somehow made sense. Toaster attempts to revisit that space, but instead of recreating the magic, it ends up reminding you just how difficult it is to get that balance right.
Directed by Vivek Daschaudary and produced by Patralekhaa, the film brings together a stellar ensemble including Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Archana Puran Singh, Seema Pahwa, Upendra Limaye, Abhishek Banerjee, and Farah Khan.
On paper, it has everything going for it. On screen, however, it struggles to come together.
A Quirky Premise That Promised Chaos
At the centre of Toaster is Ramakant, played by Rajkummar Rao, a miser whose life revolves around saving every possible rupee. Living in a society largely inhabited by elderly residents due to its low rent, his world is already peculiar enough.
Enter Shilpa, played by Sanya Malhotra, his wife, who is visibly tired of their monotonous life and finds solace in binge-watching true crime shows. This contrast between Ramakant’s penny-pinching ways and Shilpa’s craving for excitement sets up an interesting dynamic.
The plot kicks off with what seems like a harmless, almost ridiculous objective, Ramakant wanting to retrieve a toaster he had gifted at a wedding that never happened, simply to claim a refund. It’s absurd, it’s trivial, and it has the potential to spiral into something hilariously chaotic.
And it does, but not in the way you’d hope.
From Comedy to Confusion
What begins as a light-hearted comedy of errors soon takes a darker turn. In an attempt to steal back the toaster, Ramakant gets entangled in a situation that leads to the accidental death of his landlord, Glen. As if that wasn’t enough, a neighbour, Pherwani aunty, records the incident and begins blackmailing him.
This shift from quirky comedy to dark chaos could have worked, had it been handled with precision. Instead, the narrative feels scattered, unsure of whether it wants to be a slapstick comedy or a dark satire.
The result is a storyline that feels inconsistent, jumping between tones without fully committing to either.
Performances That Deserve Better
If there’s one department where Toaster doesn’t falter, it is its performances. Rajkummar Rao once again proves his versatility, slipping into the role of Ramakant with ease. His comic timing, expressions, and ability to embody eccentric characters remain impeccable.
Sanya Malhotra brings her usual charm and relatability, making Shilpa a character you instantly connect with. Her portrayal adds a layer of realism to an otherwise chaotic narrative.
Abhishek Banerjee, known for his sharp comic presence, shows glimpses of brilliance. His banter with Rajkummar Rao, in particular, hints at what the film could have been, a sharp, engaging comedy. Unfortunately, these moments are short-lived.
Veteran actors like Archana Puran Singh and Seema Pahwa add their own flavour, but the script doesn’t give them enough room to truly shine in their best possible way and makes it rather absurd.
A Script That Doesn’t Hold It Together
The biggest drawback of Toaster is its writing. The punchlines don’t land as effectively as they should, and the narrative lacks cohesion. What could have been a tightly packed comedy of errors ends up feeling like a series of loosely connected events.
There’s a sense that the film is trying too hard to juggle multiple characters and their antics without giving any of them the content they deserve. The humour, instead of building organically, often feels forced.
At times, Toaster feels less like a finished film and more like a work-in-progress, an idea that had potential but wasn’t fully realised.
The Missing Magic
Comparisons to films like Dhamaal and Dhol are inevitable, and unfortunately, not in its favour. Those films thrived on tight writing and well-timed chaos. Toaster, on the other hand, struggles to find that rhythm.
The madness is there, the characters are there, even the performances are there, but the glue that binds it all together is missing.
Final Verdict
Toaster is a classic example of a promising idea that doesn’t quite translate onto the screen. Despite a talented cast and moments of genuine humour, it falls short due to weak writing and an inconsistent narrative.
It’s not entirely unwatchable, but it certainly doesn’t live up to its potential.
Toaster tries to serve up a laugh riot but ends up delivering a half-baked comedy that leaves you wanting much more.
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
By: Anushka Singhal
