Review of Dhobi Ghat (2010) by Asif K — 05 Feb 2011

Dhobi Ghat (Mumbai Diaries) is the story of four people from very different backgrounds, whose worlds intersect and leave them forever altered. As they find themselves drawn into compelling relationships, the city finds its way into the crevices of their lives, separating them even as it brings them closer... Fragments of their experience - seen through a naïve video diary, black and white photographic images and painting - form a portrait of Mumbai and its people, bound together as they journey through longing, loneliness, loss and love.

Well an indie movie from Bollywood, strange but true. thanks to Aamir khan. after Peepli Live and Lagaan before, you have this kind of high expectations from his movie. this movie being directed by first timer and Aamir's own wife Kiran Rao is an example of simple yet complex moving and satisfying drama which avoids a high dramatic story but have soft humor and a tone of melancholy. I had a very high expectations from this movie and I was satisfied. this movie is for sure not for everyone, not everyone's cup of tea. bollywood fans in general aren't kind of prone to this kind of movie, but they should try to take some interest in it. it lacks songs and full on dance performances and all the cliche masala. but it is indeed one of the best movie of this year.people may find it boring and very hard to digest but I like these kind of movies.

Very good effort by director Kiran Rao, I am very pleased by her work. I am loking forward to her future in film making. she is a new discovery. she directs, handles and drive this movie in an accurate and good way. screenplay is excellent, might feels somewhat stretched towards the end but very engaging and lovely. story is very good. the 3 or 4 main characters and their own stories kind of collides with each other shown in very good way in perfect proportion which is superb. the character of Yasmin is so affecting. well handled story, screenplay. editing is good, very good.

Shot in Mumbai in a good way and I love it. perfect cinematography, good art and costumes direction. acting is good too, perfect. Kriti Malhotra as Yasmin is amazing, an exact simple village girl portrayal. she is so perfect and natural and pure believable. love her. Aamir Khan as this kind of dark character is really good. he is very good. others were good too like Prateik and Monica. acting wise an excellent movie.

A well acted multilayered portrayal of big city Mumbai is an effecting drama, go see it.