Director: Vivek Daschaudhary
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Archana Puran Singh, Upendra Limaye, Seema Pahwa, Farah Khan, Abhishek Banerjee
Where to watch: Netflix
Rating: 3.5 stars
Artists and filmmakers who always want to experiment with their craft have found OTT to be a blessing in disguise. This week’s release, Toaster, is a film crafted to bring that much-needed smile to your face. Whether it succeeds or ends up ‘toasting’ your brains is what we will analyse.
The film revolves around a simple and sweet couple: Ramakant (Rajkummar Rao) and his wife Shilpa (Sanya Malhotra). While Ramakant is a self-confessed miser who has no qualms or shame about saving every paise possible, his wife is just the opposite. At the same time, mind you, she is not a spendthrift.
One day when reluctant Ramakant and Shilpa attend the wedding of Shilpa's Guruji, they give the newlyweds a brand new toaster. But, for some unexpected reason, when the wedding gets called off, Ramakant reaches Guruji’s residence only to ask for his toaster back! He gets the shock of his life when he learns they have already donated the toaster to an orphanage.
The film gains its accelerated momentum when Ramakant lands up in the orphanage…. seeking his toaster. Little does he realise that this toaster could eventually become instrumental in a bunch of murders and deceits.
What is the connection between the murders and the toaster? Does Ramakant get his toaster back, and what was the reason for his desperate need to get it back? The answers to these and many other questions are revealed in the rest of the film.
Actors' performance
In a film where every actor is worth his/her salt, the master performer Rajkummar Rao stands out like a King Cobra with a raised hood! He delivers a masterclass in timing as he navigates a labyrinth of suspense and unexpected twists. Despite being an utter miser in the film, you still fall for his innocence and helplessness.
The spunky Sanya Malhotra’s brilliance in her character adds much-needed support to Rajkummar’s character. One would have wanted to see more of her though. The surprise element, however, is actress Archana Puran Singh, who proves she is much more than a show’s judge who gets paid to laugh! Her approach to her role is bound to shock many as she defies many norms in the film.
Besides this trio, other actors including Upendra Limaye, Seema Pahwa, Farah Khan and Abhishek Banerjee blend justly into their respective characters.
Direction, Music and Aesthetics
Full marks to the film’s director Vivek Daschaudhary, who after gaining experience with projects like Guns and Gulaabs, Gubbare and others, takes the giant leap of faith (and confidence) with Toaster… and passes the litmus test with flying colours. His sharp and eccentric approach to the film’s premise is one of the reasons that keeps the audience glued to their seats.
A pat on the back to the team of Parveez Shaikh (story, screenplay) along with Anagh Mukherjee and Akshat Ghildial (who also penned the film’s dialogues). This film stands as testimony to the fact that a simple premise can hold you on the edge of your seat for a couple of hours!
While the film’s cinematography (Jishnu Bhattacharjee) is decent, the editing (Chandrashekhar Prajapati) could have been slightly crisper, with trimming required in the second half (at a few places).
Even though the film’s music is above average, it does not hamper the film’s progress in any way. The film’s background score (Aman Pant) is taut and blends beautifully with the film’s narrative.
FPJ Verdict
Toaster masterfully balances high-stakes tension with laugh-out-loud moments, which ensures that you’re on the edge of your seat even while you’re chuckling! If you are a fan of whodunits or are looking for a sharp-witted entertainer, this genre-bending Toaster is an absolute must-watch!
