Total Dhamaal

[spslf]

Borrowing heavily from Stanley Kramer’s *It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World* (1963), director Indra Kumar’s *Total Dhamaal* delivers a slapstick comedy centered on a madcap treasure hunt. The story kicks off when a dying man (Manoj Pahwa) reveals the location of 50 crore rupees to a group of strangers, leading to a chaotic race to Janakpur zoo to claim the fortune. This eccentric bunch includes a bickering couple (Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit), disgraced firefighters (Riteish Deshmukh and Pitobash Tripathy), bumbling conmen (Arshad Warsi and Javed Jaffrey), and robbers (Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Mishra) who originally stole the money from a corrupt commissioner (Boman Irani).

The film thrives on broad comedy and absurd situations, with much of the humor derived from their misadventures along the way and inside the zoo. Unlike many contemporary comedies, the film steers clear of risqué jokes and toilet humor, making it suitable for family viewing. While the cartoonish climax is tailored for children, the CGI rendering of the animals feels outdated and uninspired.

The cast embraces the film’s escapist tone, delivering lighthearted performances.
- Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor’s reunion after 17 years showcases their enduring chemistry, especially in courtroom scenes that are charmingly humorous.
- Arshad Warsi and Javed Jaffrey reprise their Adi-Manav act with effortless comedic timing.
- Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Mishra shine as a quirky boss-sidekick duo, with their GPS sequence, featuring Jackie Shroff’s hilarious mawali Hindi voiceover, standing out.
- Riteish Deshmukh and Pitobash Tripathy also deliver laughs in their outrageous tall-building sequence.

However, the screenplay is uneven, with unresolved plot points and patchy editing. The visual effects lack polish, and the comedy often hinges on stringing together a series of outlandish gags rather than a coherent narrative.

Despite its flaws, *Total Dhamaal* achieves its goal of being a light, escapist comedy. If you enjoy absurd humor and are looking for a film to relax with, this one provides ample laughs for an undemanding movie night.