Aamir Production's film always comes up with a view that this film must be really good. So, expectations are always high and this time around Aamir already told in a interview that this film would appeal to only intellectuals or small section of audience. Well, the film does appeal but there are certain problems in the film which usually a Aamir film doesnt have.

The story is about 4 people, Shai(Monica Dogra), Munna(Pratiek Babbar), Arun(Aamir Khan) and Yasmin(Kriti Malhotra), how their lives get inter-connected when they get to know each other and what outcomes it leaves to their lives.

The main problem masses would have connecting to the film is the pace of the film which is very slow, almost reminds of Manorama 6 feet under. Good thing is that the film is just 90 mins long without a interval(which was first of a kind for me).

Kiran Rao as a director in her debut film does a commendable job. The way she has developed the narration, and ofcourse special mention to the editing which was top notch, amazing to see the way the 4 characters are interlinked through tiniest of possible ways. And not to forget, the 5th character Mumbai that is added into each character's story.

Cinematography is good. Dialogues are nice but since I saw hindi version so Dubbing made me not like some of the dialogues. Writing is very good, there is hardly any plot as such in the film.. yet to make the screenplay work means the job of writers was most important.

Only flaws in the film were the character sketches of Aamir Khan and Monica Dogra, especially Aamir Khan whose reactions in scenes with Monica Dogra are bit overplayed. Yet, the way he reacts while watching Yasmin cassettes is too good. While Monica Dogra's intentions as to why she is so curiously following Arun knowing he isnt interested in her, is something to be questioned. Also, the Mumbai character doesnt really get established well enough, it only plays a side role or a communicator to tell that all proceedings are happening at this place, quite tough to connect it with the 4 characters the way Kiran wanted it to.

The background theme used in the film is very good, it mainly comes during the final parts of the film.

Performances wise,

Pratiek Babbar shines in a very well written role. He was so natural and great to watch on screen.

Monica Dogra was good in expressions, hard to comment on her dialogues since it was total dubbing.

Aamir Khan was good in few scenes while okay in rest, not really convincing performance by him for a change.

Kriti Malhotra was the surprise package of the film, never expected her to make such a impact. She was so much like a normal person in real life. Her happiness, trying to be happy, feeling pain and the shocking thing was really well done by her.


Overall, Dhobi Ghat is a well made film. It is definately slow in pace, and also with few flaws but Pratiek and Kriti's performances and very good editing makes it a pretty good watch.


Rating : 3.30 Out of 5