Total Dhamaal movie review: Total Dhamaal is helmed by Indra Kumar.Total Dhamaal, starring Ajay Devgn, Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Javed Jaffrey, has hit the screens. The Indra Kumar directorial is the third installment of the Dhamaal franchise that began in 2007. Total Dhamaal is being touted as an adventure comedy that promises laughter, but it is yet to be seen how the film will be perceived by the audience.
The film’s big attraction includes the comeback of the iconic 90s jodi of Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit. The duo has worked in hit films like Tezaab, Beta, Ram Lakhan and Jamai Raja among others. Sonakshi Sinha features in the recreated version of “Mungda” in the film.
After the Pulwama attack, the makers decided to not release Total Dhamaal in Pakistan.
Our verdict
Indian Express' film critic Shubhra Gupta gave Total Dhamaal, a one-and-a-half-star review. She wrote, "About the only people who prevent you from strangling yourself is the forever-bickering couple played by Anil Kapoor (motabhai, husband) and Madhuri Dixit ( Marathi mulgi, wife). They have an easiness between them which comes of long years of working together, and watching Dixit, unburdened from the weight of looking glamorous, reminds you of the powerhouse she used to be. These two deserve a film of their own."
Also read: Total Dhamaal movie review: The Indra Kumar directorial is a string of random sequences
Total Dhamaal gets decent opening
Girish Johar, film trade analyst, tweeted, "With a wide release, #TotalDhamaal has good start atthe BO in range of 35 - 40% in early shows ! Mass Family Entertainer is expected to pick over the day & through the weekend ! @ajaydevgn @AnilKapoor @MadhuriDixit @Riteishd @ArshadWarsi @jaavedjaaferi @imsanjaimishra @pitobash."
Planning to watch Total Dhamaal? Watch its trailer here
Rakul Preet on Total Dhamaal
Our verdict
Indian Express' film critic Shubhra Gupta, in her review of Total Dhamaal, wrote, "Ajay Devgn brings his slo-mo stride to the plot. Err, what’s that? Total Dhamaal is nothing but a string of random sequences, shot in water and on land, desert and sky. Sanjay Mishra keeps saying ‘bro’: he doesn’t, in my hearing, say ‘yo’. Boman Irani vamps it up, in a sharp little moustache. Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jafferi twin, inhabit mostly flatness, making me wish for the hundredth time that these two sharp comic talents get a movie which gives them something, anything, to do, other than being chased by computer-generated vultures (yes, this happens)."
Also read | Total Dhamaal movie review: The Indra Kumar directorial is a string of random sequences
Arshad Warsi praised his co-stars Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit
Arshad Warsi, who has been part of all Dhamaal films till date, tweeted, "This is nothing compared to what the two legends @MadhuriDixit & @AnilKapoor have done in #TotalDhamaal"
Ajay Devgn said one needs to understand the audience to grow as an actor
Ajay Devgn told PTI, "They (audience) are changing and you (actors) have to change with time. Today the way my daughter thinks and I think is completely different. I try to grasp from what she is thinking.
"I try to learn what is the mindset and thought process of people today. Emotions are the same but the way we emote and they emote is different, they react to things differently. And we need to learn that for cinema and for ourselves."
Madhuri Dixit on doing comedy
Madhuri Dixit told indianexpress.com, "I love doing comedies. I believe it is a lot of fun, and I enjoy it. And once I knew that Indu ji (director Indra Kumar) was at the helm, everything else followed. And we have a lovely group with Ajay (Devgn), Anil ji (Kapoor), and the other actors. So there’s a comfort level, and I thought I’ll have great fun on the set."
Ajay Devgn shared a fun click from Total Dhamaal promotions
Asserting how Madhuri Dixit's presence in the film was one of its high points, actor Ajay Devgn tweeted a picture that has the diva along with co-actors Anil Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh and director Indra Kumar. Ajay captioned the image as, "Ek Madhuri Sab Pe Bhaari!"
Here's what fans said after watching Total Dhamaal
Ajay Devgn on Total Dhamaal not releasing in Pakistan
Ajay Devgn exclusively told indianexpress.com, "This is an aspect or a part of it. We need to show that we are with our nation and armed forces. And this is the only way we can show. Rest, people are doing their own thing. They have put sanctions on so many things. So, when everything will be put together, there will be a difference. It is not that our decision is going to make all the difference. It is everything put together."
Watch: Total Dhamaal song Mungda
Sonakshi Sinha has done a special song for Total Dhamaal, which is a recreated version of the iconic Helen number from 1978 film Inkaar.
Anil Kapoor on Total Dhamaal
Actor Anil Kapoor had told PTI, "I do films with the sole purpose of entertaining people. I am an entertainer, I like to make people laugh, cry, angry and connect with them. For me, doing drama, horror or patriotic film, making people cry is also entertainment.
"I like to engage audience. I don’t want to bore the audience. If it connects with people, I feel happy and if it doesn’t, I get sad too,” Kapoor said.
"For certain films you have to be spontaneous and instinctive and for some you have to do quite a bit of prep work. I am playing a Gujarati in Total Dhamaal so I had a dialect coach, he helped me. For every film it is different," Anil Kapoor added.
Also read: Total Dhamaal actor Anil Kapoor: Acting is about engaging audiences
Director Indra Kumar on reuniting with Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit
In an exclusive chat with indianexpress.com, director Indra Kumar said, "(It was) Like a blessing, as two immensely talented actors were coming together again. And others are also on board. So I felt we struck gold.
"They all improvised which was very good. We all accepted that. So things used to become easy for me with their own additions," he shared.
Also read: Total Dhamaal has many stars and so much masala: Director Indra Kumar
Trade analyst Sumit Kadel called Total Dhamaal an
Trade analyst Sumit M Kadel gave Total Dhamaal a three-star rating. He tweeted, "#TotalDhamaal is funny specially in Ist half. Its a no brainer fast paced family entertainer, lavishly shot & well performed by @ajaydevgn @MadhuriDixit @AnilKapoor @Riteishd & the entire cast. 2nd half is moderate & it could have been better. Overall Good film. Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️"
Sumit added in another tweet, "#TotalDhamaal has opened well at the box office with the occupancy of approx 30% in morning shows. Advance for the day is looking good specially in Single screen at mass belts."
Boman Irani thanked Suniel Shetty for his wishes
Total Dhamaal actor Boman Irani replied to Suniel Shetty's message wishing the team. Boman wrote, "Thanks a lot dearest @SunielVShetty. Will make sure you enjoy the wildest adventure ever! Love, always. "
Ajay Devgn also replied to Suniel Shetty with a tweet that read, "Thank you! It was #TotalDhamaal indeed!"
It's a houseful opening for Total Dhamaal!
Film distributor Raj Bansal tweeted, "@ajaydevgn #TotalDhamaal opens to packed houses all over. Its HOUSE FULL. @MadhuriDixit @sonakshisinha @eshagupta2811 @AnilKapoor @ArshadWarsi @Riteishd"
WATCH: In conversation with Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh
Madhuri Dixit on reuniting with Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn and Indra Kumar
Madhuri Dixit told indianexpress.com, "I love doing comedies. I believe it is a lot of fun, and I enjoy it. And once I knew that Indu ji (director Indra Kumar) was at the helm, everything else followed. And we have a lovely group with Ajay (Devgn), Anil ji (Kapoor), and the other actors. So there’s a comfort level, and I thought I’ll have great fun on the set."
Also read | Total Dhamaal actor Madhuri Dixit: I love doing comedies
Total Dhamaal actor Ajay Devgn on doing comedy films
Ajay Devgn recently sat down for an exclusive chat with indianexpress.com while promoting Total Dhamaal in New Delhi. He said, "Comedy is a genre which is universally liked. It is not an easy genre. You need to really work at it. We had a lot of fun on the set. We were laughing in the shots, but even for that, we need the timing right. It takes a lot of effort and energy."
Also read | Total Dhamaal actor Ajay Devgn: Comedy is not an easy genre
Suniel Shetty on Total Dhamaal
Suniel Shetty wrote on Twitter, "Having known most of you as dear friends, I’m sure so many pranksters coming together, HAS to mean #TotalDhamaal !! Wishing you all the very best!! @ajaydevgn @ADFFilms @AnilKapoor @Riteishd @MadhuriDixit @sonakshisinha @eshagupta2811 @bomanirani @ArshadWarsi @iamjohnylever."
Aftab Shivdasani on Total Dhamaal
"Looking forward to one of my favourite franchises ever with all my favourites @ajaydevgn @AnilKapoor @MadhuriDixit @Riteishd @ArshadWarsi @jaavedjaaferi @Indra_kumar_9 @iamjohnylever #sanjaymishra ! All the best for tomorrow #TotalDhamaal 🤩👏🏼💥." tweeted actor Aftab Shivdasani as he wished good luck to the team of Total Dhamaal.
Total Dhamaal box office prediction
According to film trade analyst Girish Johar, Total Dhamaal will earn Rs 13 crore on Friday. He said, “The film is toplined by stars like Ajay Devgn, Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi and Riteish Deshmukh and these are fantastic names to lure the audience. Also, Indra Kumar is a great director. The trailer has been received well too, so I believe it will have a good start at the ticket counters."
Also read | Total Dhamaal box office collection prediction: Ajay-Anil-Madhuri film to earn Rs 13 crore on Day 1
Filmmaker Indra Kumar on Total Dhamaal
In an exclusive chat with indianexpress.com, Indra Kumar said, "The previous Dhamaal films were funny and we have tried to maintain the same fun element in Total Dhamaal too. Its pace is so fast that you won’t even get time to think. It is a two-hour film with so many stars and so much masala. The film will fly like a wind."
Also read: Total Dhamaal has many stars and so much masala: Director Indra Kumar
'Offers zabarjast entertainment'
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh wrote about Total Dhamaal on Twitter, "#OneWordReview…#TotalDhamaal: FANTASTIC. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Offers zabarjast entertainment."
Total Dhamaal early review
In her review, Khaleej Times film critic Anita Iyer wrote, "What the film guarantees for two hours is clean entertainment - a film with dialogues that can be seen with your full family sitting next to you. It is paisa-vasool and won't fail to entertain you."
Ashish Chowdhry on Total Dhamaal
Ashish Chowdhry tweeted, "Wishin my #Dhamaal family massive love and humongous luck for #TotalDhamaal 😘 It's gonna be the best of the lot! Big hug @Indra_kumar_9 @ajaydevgn @AnilKapoor @MadhuriDixit @Riteishd @ArshadWarsi @jaavedjaaferi and team!! Missed ya"