A missing toaster sparks a bizarre chain of events leading to murder, chaos and comedy in this dark entertainer starring Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra
Review by Rajeshwari Kalyanam
Toaster is a dark comedy revolving around a miserly perfume shop owner Ramakant, played by Rajkummar Rao, who lives in a gated apartment complex in Borivali, Mumbai, surrounded largely by senior citizen neighbours. His life takes an absurd turn when he becomes obsessively involved in retrieving a toaster.
How he becomes involved with the toaster is an engagingly funny story. His wife Shilpa insists that he buy a toaster as a wedding gift. When the wedding gets cancelled, Ramakant, under the pretext of consoling the family, tries to get the toaster back. This sets off a bizarre chain of events, leading him into a murder situation.
Characters and Performances
Ramakant is a compulsive miser, to the extent of skipping breakfast just to eat at a neighbour’s house. Sanya Malhotra plays his wife Shilpa, a murder mystery enthusiast who is suspicious enough to begin her own investigation. She is innocent yet sharp, and unexpectedly brave.
Co-produced by Patralekhaa and Tarun Balu, the film benefits from Sanya Malhotra’s charming performance. Her character is thoughtfully written, giving her ample room to perform and elevate the narrative towards its climax.
What Works
A series of incidents push Ramakant deeper into trouble, where he risks being framed for murder or worse, being separated from the wife he deeply loves. Within this maze of mishaps, director Vivek Daschaudary and writer Parveen Shaikh consistently mine humour from darkness, a space where Rajkummar Rao thrives as both actor and producer.
Is the toaster ever found? What drives this relentless search for something so trivial? These questions form the crux of the film, turning a simple object into the centre of chaos, crime and comedy.
Verdict
If handled well, a story like this promises a wildly entertaining ride. Rajkummar Rao and his team come close to delivering just that. Toaster is a quirky, dark comedy that deserves a watch. The film is currently streaming on Jio Hotstar.
Rating: 3.0 out of 5
Where is Toaster streaming
The film is streaming on Jio Hotstar.
Who stars in Toaster
The film stars Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra in lead roles.
What is Toaster about
Toaster follows a miserly man whose attempt to retrieve a gifted toaster leads him into a series of chaotic events involving crime and suspicion.
