"Kaalidhar Laapata," directed by Madhumita, is a Hindi-language drama film starring Abhishek Bachchan, Daivik Baghela, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub. The film premiered on ZEE5 on July 4, 2025. It is a remake of Madhumita's own 2019 Tamil film "K.D. (Karuppu Durai)".
The film revolves around Kaalidhar (Abhishek Bachchan), a middle-aged man grappling with memory loss and a sense of abandonment after overhearing his family's plans to leave him behind during a religious gathering. Heartbroken, Kaalidhar decides to leave on his own, embarking on a journey where he meets Ballu (Daivik Baghela), an eight-year-old orphan. The unlikely duo forms a bond and sets out on a road trip across India to fulfill items on Kaalidhar's bucket list, leading him to rediscover joy and purpose.
Abhishek Bachchan's performance as Kaalidhar is central to the film's appeal. He portrays Kaalidhar's vulnerability and maturity with subtlety. Daivik Baghela, as Ballu, brings a combination of confidence, perkiness, and warmth to his role. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub plays Subodh, a detective involved in Kaalidhar's story. Nimrat Kaur makes a special appearance as Meera.
Critics have noted the beautiful camaraderie between Abhishek Bachchan and Daivik Baghela, which makes the drama heart-warming and breezy. The film explores themes of friendship, memory, rediscovery, and dignity. Some reviewers have pointed out inconsistencies in the storyline and character development. However, the film's music, composed by Amit Trivedi, has been praised.
"Kaalidhar Laapata" is a touching, slice-of-life drama that ends on an uplifting note. It is a story about an unlikely friendship that brings warmth and laughter. The film is a decent watch, with Abhishek Bachchan's moving performance shouldering the film's appeal.
