Review of “Dhamaka”: an action drama that is far from explosive | Movie reviews

Director Ram Madhavani’s action drama is based on the 2013 South Korean film “The Terror Live”.

The story opens with a montage of a happy married couple, Arjun Pathak (Kartik Aaryan) and his wife Saumya Mehra Pathak (Mrunal Thakur), and gradually the camera slides into the dismal interiors of the TRTV broadcast room. News, where we see a cranky Arjun, as the hapless radio host.

A lost call from one of his listeners, who confesses to blowing up a bridge after an unsuccessful conversation with him, brings Arjun back to reality. Being ambitious, he is renegotiating his position for the main Bharosa 24×7 niche on television as he attempts to monopolize the live broadcast of the terrorist attack. How Arjun engages with the disgruntled caller, whose tone changes from wise to harsh on the show as he terrorizes the city hoping for an apology from a minister, forms the crux of the story.

As the action drama unfolds in real time, there is a sense of an immersive experience, but its execution, laden with many cinematic freedoms, makes the entire exercise a wacky and unrealistic saga.

Plus, with its cinematic universe so tightly focused, the entire edit feels thin as cardboard and made for the stage. The narrative raises more questions than it answers as it tries to convince us that a disgruntled citizen would go to such lengths for a paltry apology.

By the time the plot hits the third act and the tension builds, the thrill factor of the film disintegrates. You realize that the film, which was essentially a game of morals on ethics, has now changed course when it preaches: “You won’t get a second chance in life, live for now.”

The only thing that shines in the film is the journalist’s disillusion and frustration, and it showcases the cutthroat business of the news. This revelation is a revelation for all those who avidly consume the news.

The film is an outright film by Kartik Aaryan. He’s very convincing, with his smug tackle succeeding in portraying a man quickly losing his moorings, but having to at least pretend he’s fighting well. However, you fail to connect with him on an emotional level.

Mrunal Thakur as Saumya is limited to playing the role of a journalist at the site of the explosion. Amruta Subhash is impressive as Arjun’s ruthless boss Ankita Malaskar. The other supporting cast just don’t add to the viewing experience.

Overall, the impact of Dhamaka is far from exciting.

Note: ** 1/2

Director: Ram Madhvani.

Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Mrunal Thakur, Amruta Subhash, Soham Majumdar, Vikas Kumar and Vishwajeet Pradhan.