'Kaalidhar Laapata' review: Abhishek Bachchan is in top form in an imperfect, yet necessary film

Kaalidhar Laapata, starring Abhishek Bachchan, comes at a time in my life when the thought of a distant, ageing relative—unmarried, unwell, nearing the end of his life—keeps sporadically popping up in my mind. You cannot help but feel haunted by the image of someone who grew into a staunchly cynical old man because he was once manipulated and cheated by those close to him. That's an example of an unmarried man, mind you. What about the ones who were married off at a young age, because they were constantly harangued by, "You need someone to look after you in your old age."

But where is the guarantee? The promise? Not everyone is lucky. And once a certain man or woman wakes up to the harsh reality that someone's loyalty was short-lived, the people who once scared them with the possibility of dying alone are no longer around to provide emotional support.

I've not seen director Madhumita's original Tamil-language film K.D. (2019), of which Kaalidhar Laapata (streaming on Zee5) is a remake. I think not seeing it is an advantage in this case, because I can see it with a fresh perspective. I'm told the remake is slightly different, especially with regard to the characterisation of the protagonist, who, in the other film, was an 80-year-old man who doesn't look like a movie star like Abhishek Bachchan. Thankfully, we don't see the 'star' in Abhishek's portrayal of Kaalidhar. What we see is a helpless, sympathetic man who is badly in need of a hug. I mean, here's a man whose own brothers want to get rid of, to usurp all his assets. The only one who loves him genuinely is his sister.

I don't know about others, but Abhishek Bachchan's immensely moving presence as the middle-aged, memory-impaired character Kaalidhar is one of the actor's finest. Simply put, Kaalidhar is a strong reminder that one should not harbour expectations of a loved one keeping them company in their lowest, darkest hours. There is absolutely zero guarantee, a realisation that keeps bothering you once you get to your 30s (or after), more than before.

So, when it comes to a point where Kaalidhar is hit with the realisation that it's better to be alone than go back, the film introduces a child, an orphan named Ballu (Daivik Baghela has all the makings of a future star), who then becomes his most trusted companion. After all, they have something in common: They were both abandoned by people who were supposed to care for them. Despite his young age, Ballu seems wiser beyond his years, unlike Kaalidhar. Ballu has already accepted that the world is cruel, and he is confident that he'll survive on his own. We are not sure of the latter, and neither is Kaalidhar. The Kaalidhar-Ballu portions are some of the most emotional scenes in a film that's not without its shortcomings.

One, the supporting characters are not as fully developed as these two. There is a sense of inconsistency felt in the way Kaalidhar's brothers and a past love (Nimrat Kaur in a cameo, with a food element reminiscent of her role in The Lunchbox) are etched. However, actor Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub (he was excellent as the chief editor in Hansal Mehta's Scoop) manages to stand out with whatever he is given, although I wish he had more to do. Two, while Kaalidhar and Ballu are the most effective characters, the ones that stay with us the most, there are times when some of their behavioural choices don't make much sense, as though they were originally written for someone else.

Some may seek more emotional involvement in the film, and are likely to feel disappointed at its slightly detached quality—it's something I also pondered—but what if its choice not to linger longer on, say, a farewell moment (or two) is deliberate? Since the film also states that we should let go of someone without making a big deal, what if the choice not to make you too emotional is part of its design?

However, I must admit that the rushed quality in some scenes felt slightly jarring. The film seemed too eager to move from one situation to the next instead of giving some scenes the necessary breathing space. I liked the upbeat ending—it's the least you could do to make Kaalidhar happy—but it's also one that feels a bit... random. That said, I did not think this film wasted my precious time—rather, I found it comforting. It may be imperfect, but it is necessary.

Film: Kaalidhar Laapata

Director: Madhumita

Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Daivik Baghela, Nimrat Kaur, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub

Rating: 3.5/5

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