Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Archana Puran Singh, Upendra Limaye, Seema Pahwa and Abhishek Banerjee. Special Appearances: Farah K...
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Archana Puran Singh, Upendra Limaye, Seema Pahwa and Abhishek Banerjee. Special Appearances: Farah Khan & Pratik Gandhi
Directed by: Vivek Daschaudary
Toaster is the kind of film that
hooks you instantly with its delightfully bizarre premise and then dares to
stretch that absurdity to its limits. Directed by Vivek DasChaudhary and
produced by Patralekha, this dark comedy thriller leans heavily into situational
chaos, much in the spirit of writer Parveez Shaikh’s earlier works like
Ghanchakkar and Blackmail.
At the centre of it all is
Rajkummar Rao as Ramakant—a hilariously stingy man whose life spirals out of
control over something as trivial (and yet, to him, invaluable) as a toaster.
What begins as a simple mission—to retrieve a wedding gift after the ceremony
is called off—quickly snowballs into a chain of misadventures that grow
increasingly complicated and uncontrollable. The film thrives on this
escalation, building a narrative that is equal parts ridiculous and tense.
Rao is in top form, delivering a
performance that balances neurotic comedy with desperation. He captures
Ramakant’s obsessive frugality without turning him into a caricature, making
the character oddly relatable despite his extreme behavior. Archana Puran Singh
is equally compelling, matching Rao’s energy and grounding the chaos with her
seasoned comic timing. Together, they form the backbone of the film.
Sanya Malhotra, as Ramakant’s
wife Shilpa, brings warmth and unexpected spunk to the story. Her portrayal
adds emotional texture, ensuring the film isn’t just a series of absurd events
but also a story about a relationship being tested under pressure. Abhishek
Banerjee delivers an impressive turn as Glen, a drug-addict whose unpredictable
presence adds another layer of chaos to the narrative. Farah Khan’s surprise
cameo is a delightful addition—her natural comic flair injects fresh energy
into the film whenever she appears. The film also ends on a high note with a
delightful appearance by Pratik Gandhi in the final scene, leaving a lasting
impression.
Where Toaster falters,
unfortunately, is in its midsection. After a strong and engaging setup, the
pacing slackens noticeably, with the narrative meandering before regaining
focus toward the climax. While the final act does deliver some interesting and
unexpected twists, the journey to get there feels uneven. Tighter editing could
have significantly improved the film’s rhythm, especially given the inherently
fast-paced nature of its premise.
Technically, the film is a mixed
bag. The cinematography occasionally struggles to capture the tonal balance
required for a dark comedy, and the lack of a strong musical presence is
noticeable, though perhaps intentional given the genre. Still, sharper visual
storytelling might have elevated the film’s impact.
Ultimately, Toaster is a film
that feels more like “what could have been” rather than fully realising its
potential. Yet, despite its flaws, it manages to remain engaging, largely due
to its unique concept and strong performances. It’s an imperfect but intriguing
watch—one that keeps you invested even as it stumbles along the way.
By Pratik Majumdar (author: Love
Coffee Murder and 1975 The Year That Transformed Bollywood)
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