Kaalidhar Laapata Review: Abhishek Bachchan Takes A Backseat As Daivik Bhagela Shines Bright

While Abhishek Bachchan performs competently, Daivik Bhagela shines in Kaalidhar Laapata. The direction and writing are weak, failing to deepen the emotional core.

Kaalidhar Laapata marks director Madhumitha’s Hindi debut, and instead of starting from scratch, she revisits familiar territory. The film is a reimagining (or let’s say, an "adaptation") of her 2019 Tamil film KD (Karuppudurai). Only this time, KD becomes Kaalidhar — and with that name change, a new OTT film is born.

While the attempt to retell the story in Hindi could have brought something fresh, the end result feels more like another OTT filler, custom-made for a direct-to-digital release on ZEE5.

Plot Summary

The story revolves around Kaalidhar, a man suffering from memory loss. His family, driven by greed for his property, abandons him, believing he won’t find his way back. However, when the property is suddenly needed, they realize Kaalidhar’s return is necessary.

Meanwhile, a police officer and his wife — desperate to have a child — believe that reuniting a missing person with their family might miraculously bless them with one. So, the officer takes up Kaalidhar’s case. During his journey, Kaalidhar meets a spirited orphan boy, and an unlikely bond forms between them. The film also includes a subplot involving Kaalidhar’s romantic past, which attempts to lend emotional depth.

Performance: Daivik Bhagela Steals the Show

If there’s one reason to sit through this film, it’s child actor Daivik Bhagela. His performance is heartfelt, natural, and often more compelling than the leads. His dialogue delivery, expressions, and screen presence truly stand out — he is undoubtedly the soul of the film.

Abhishek Bachchan delivers a competent performance, but it doesn’t push any new boundaries for him as an actor. There’s nothing particularly fresh in his portrayal, and it feels like an extension of roles he has done before. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub is underutilized and given very little space to shine. Nimrat Kaur is convincing in her limited role, but her character isn’t fleshed out well enough to leave a lasting impact.

Direction & Writing: Missed Opportunities

Madhumitha’s decision to retell her own story in Hindi could’ve opened the door to a deeper, more nuanced adaptation. Unfortunately, the writing here feels lazy, and the direction lacks spark. The emotional beats of the story — especially the love story and the family dynamics — aren’t explored with enough depth. Characters outside of Kaalidhar and the boy are barely developed, making most of the film feel undercooked.

Final Verdict

Kaalidhar Laapata is a passable one-time watch — primarily because of Daivik Bhagela’s endearing performance. Outside of that, the film struggles to find its footing. It feels like a project designed to fill an OTT slot rather than genuinely engage its audience.

If you're in the mood for a simple, emotional story and have nothing else on your watchlist, it might be worth a casual stream. Otherwise, you’re not missing much.

Bottom line: Watch it for the kid. Skip it if you’re looking for something new.