Dhamaka (धमाका)

"Dhamaka (धमाका)"

Watched Hindi movie Dhamaka. 

This film is directed by Ram Madhvani. Written by Puneet Sharma & Ram Madhvani. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Amita Madhvani & Ram Madhvanir. Music by Vishal Khurana. Cinematography Manu Anand. The film stars Kartik Aryan, Mrunal Thakur, Amruta Subhash, Sohum Majumdar, Aeklavya, Vikas Kumar, Vishwajit Pradhan, Priya Tandon, Anuj Gurwara, Aishwarya Chaudhary. The film runs for 1 hour 44 minutes and was released in Nov 2021. I watched it on Netflix on 26th Nov 2021 with Aditi.

Kartik Aaryan, currently demoted from prime time anchor to radio jockey, gets a call from a person who blasts a bomb on sea link. The terrorist will talk only to Kartik. He claims to be one of the workers whose friends lost life while repairing the sea link. He wants apology from minister. 

This movie exposes the ugly side of news industry where drama rules the roost and TRP is the only yard stick. Real news and truth don't matter. What's right is immaterial. Emotions are only for exploitation.

Kartik gives a good performance. He portrays the insincere as well as sincere side well. Mrunal does well in a small role and is assigned as guest artist. Amruta plays Aryan's boss and ruthless media personality. Vikas looks like a cop. Others don't have any meaningful role. 

Cinematography could have been much better. Cinematographer had a good opportunity with blast on a bridge, bridge falling, car falling, blast on a high rise, sniper etc. But the Cinematography is basic, like a low budget movie. 

A number of things are not rational, most of it being the destruction of Aryan's studio where, after blast, the table is overturned, furniture is destroyed, building is damaged but telephone remains on cradle, chord is not severed, camera remains functional etc.

It's a thriller. Director doesn't let his grip loose and keeps the adrenaline rushing. He is aided by decent story and good acting. He keeps the audience engaged. The movie builds up nicely and then suddenly crashes due to ending. Ending is the worst part of this movie. Why does Kartik take that action? It is completely in contrast with previous scene between him and Mrunal. What was the director trying to convey? Or did he run out of ideas to conclude the movie?

Director is probably trying to convey that life doesn't give you a second chance, but is it true?

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