Movie Name : Kaalidhar Laapata
Streaming Date : July 4, 2025
Streaming Platform : ZEE5
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Abhishek Bachchan, Mohammed Zeeshan, Ayyub, Daivik Bhagela, Nimrat Kaur
Director : Madhumita
Producer : Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, Nikkhil Advani, Umesh KR Bansal, Pragati Deshmukh
Music Director : Amit Trivedi
Cinematographer : Gairik Sarkar
Editor : Gairik Sarkar
Related Links : Trailer
In 2019, a Tamil film called K.D. released and went on to become a huge hit. Now, the same story has been adapted into Hindi as Kaalidhar Laapata, with Abhishek Bachchan playing the lead role and Madhumitha returning to direct. The film is currently streaming on ZEE5 and is available only in Hindi. Here’s our review.
Story:
Kalidhar (Abhishek Bachchan) is a middle-aged man suffering from memory loss who often sees things that aren’t real. His family, more interested in his property than his well-being, abandons him at the Kumbh Mela and files a missing person complaint during the event. A man named Subodh (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) is tasked with finding him. Meanwhile, Kalidhar wanders off and finds himself in a new place, where he meets and befriends an orphan boy named Ballu (Daivik Baghela). The film follows how their bond develops and what ultimately happens between Kalidhar and the family that left him behind.
Plus Points:
Slice-of-life films are a familiar genre for Indian audiences, and this one comfortably fits into that space. While it doesn’t try to break new ground, the film delivers moments that make you smile, laugh, and feel emotional. That emotional simplicity is the strength of Madhumitha’s direction, and she handles it with restraint and warmth.
Abhishek Bachchan is fine in the role of Kaalidhar. He doesn’t overplay it and stays within the boundaries of the character, delivering a natural performance. In emotional scenes, especially, he manages to connect and bring some depth to Kalidhar.
The real heart of the film, though, lies in Daivik Baghela’s performance as Ballu. He is confident, grounded, and instantly likable. He commands a good portion of the screen time and makes every scene count with his understated performance.
The scenes between Kalidhar and Ballu are some of the best in the film. Their first meeting, their conversations about Kalidhar’s unfulfilled dreams, and their emotional exchanges about parting ways are written and performed with genuine warmth. These are the kind of moments that give the film its emotional weight.
The dialogues, too, are a highlight. They are simple and accessible, but they carry emotional depth and leave an impression.
Minus Points:
While Kaalidhar Laapata is pleasant and emotionally steady, it doesn’t offer much novelty in its narrative. The story is predictable, and the screenplay follows a fairly linear path without any real surprises. The director clearly wants to deliver a feel-good film rather than one packed with drama or twists, but the middle portion drags a bit and could have been tighter.
The ending is where the film slightly stumbles. It is emotionally safe and expected, but it doesn’t land with the kind of impact it should have. A more satisfying resolution, especially for both main characters, might have left the audience with a stronger emotional payoff.
Abhishek is sincere, but there’s a sense that the character could have been elevated further with a more emotionally immersive performance. While he does well, a more nuanced actor might have brought out the full potential of Kalidhar. Nimrat Kaur, who plays Meera, and a few other supporting characters are not given enough material to leave a lasting impact.
Technical Aspects:
Madhumitha does a competent job as both director and writer, but the film doesn’t recreate the charm of the original. The background score by Tajdar Junaid is subtle and fits the tone of the film. The songs by Amit Trivedi are used thoughtfully and support the emotional flow. Gairik Sarkar, who handles both cinematography and editing, gives the film a pleasant visual tone. The production values are clean and suitable for the story being told.
Verdict:
On the whole, Kaaldihar Laapata is a decent slice-of-life drama. The bond between Abhishek Bachchan and Daivik Baghela provides the emotional center, and their scenes together are worth watching. But the film’s predictability, emotionally safe ending, and a few underwritten characters hold it back from becoming something truly memorable. Still, if you’re in the mood for a heartfelt film that leaves you with a smile and a tear or two, this one is worth your time.
123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team