Our Take on Dhamaal 4 — A Treasure Hunt Lost in Translation
Another Dhamaal installment promises laughs and adventure, but does it deliver? We dive into the latest antics of the beloved gang and find more misses than hits.
About Dhamaal 4
- Platform: Netflix
- Release Date:
- IMDb Rating: 3/10
- Genres: Comedy
The Dhamaal boys are back for another treasure hunt, facing hilarious challenges in their quest for the Treasure of Life.
WatchThisFlix Review
By WatchThisFlix Editorial Team
## The Setup
“Dhamaal 4” lands on Netflix with the weight of its comedic predecessors and a familiar premise: our perpetually bumbling quintet – Adi (Arshad Warsi), Manav (Jaaved Jaaferi), Roy (Riteish Deshmukh), Boman (Ashish Chowdhry), and their perennial leader, Inspector Kabir Nayak (Sanjay Dutt) – are once again on the hunt for an elusive treasure. This time, it's not just about riches; it's the fabled "Treasure of Life," rumored to bestow eternal youth or unimaginable power, depending on which ancient scroll you believe. The film opens with the gang, having squandered their previous fortunes, living in various states of hilarious destitution. Adi is a struggling street vendor, Manav a failed influencer, Roy a con artist with more ambition than skill, and Boman, well, Boman is still Boman – endearing in his naivete but utterly useless. Kabir, now a disgraced ex-cop, stumbles upon a clue to this legendary treasure, bringing the gang back together for one last, desperate adventure. Their journey takes them across India, from bustling cityscapes to remote, ancient temples, all while evading a new set of eccentric villains and a rival treasure-hunting team determined to beat them to the prize. The stakes are ostensibly higher, the gags are meant to be grander, and the promise is a chaotic, laugh-out-loud ride.
## What Works
Let’s be honest, the strongest asset “Dhamaal 4” possesses is its core cast. The chemistry between Arshad Warsi, Jaaved Jaaferi, Riteish Deshmukh, and Ashish Chowdhry is undeniably the bedrock of the franchise. Even when the script falters, their established camaraderie provides fleeting moments of genuine warmth and an almost nostalgic comfort. There’s a scene early on where Adi and Manav, now sharing a cramped apartment, bicker over a plate of stale samosas. Warsi’s exasperated eye-rolls and Jaaferi’s childlike petulance are classic Manav-Adi dynamics, and for a brief moment, you’re reminded why these characters resonated in the first place. Riteish Deshmukh as Roy, the self-proclaimed mastermind who is anything but, still manages to land a few physical gags, particularly during a sequence where he attempts to hotwire an ancient vehicle and ends up setting off every alarm in a rural village. His facial expressions alone often carry more comedic weight than entire pages of dialogue. Sanjay Dutt, while given less to do than in previous installments, still exudes that effortless, gruff charm that makes Kabir a compelling, if often bewildered, leader. The film also attempts a few visually ambitious set pieces. A chase sequence involving an auto-rickshaw through a crowded marketplace, while over-edited, has moments of genuine kinetic energy. Similarly, the climax set within an elaborate, booby-trapped temple offers some decent production design, even if the execution of the traps themselves is predictable. The film occasionally taps into the meta-humor that the franchise has used effectively before, with characters making self-aware comments about their repetitive failures, which elicits a chuckle or two.
## What Doesn't
Unfortunately, “Dhamaal 4” suffers from a pervasive sense of creative exhaustion. The biggest flaw is the writing. The jokes often feel recycled, flat, or simply try too hard. There’s a distinct lack of the sharp, witty dialogue that made the original “Dhamaal” so memorable. Instead, we get an over-reliance on slapstick that lacks precision and timing, and groan-inducing puns that land with a thud. For instance, a running gag involving Boman accidentally setting off explosives feels less like a comedic escalation and more like a desperate attempt to fill screen time. The pacing is another significant issue. At 2 hours and 23 minutes, the film feels bloated and meandering. There are long stretches where the plot crawls, bogged down by unnecessary subplots and repetitive obstacles. The introduction of a new set of villains, a pair of cartoonishly evil siblings, adds little to the narrative beyond predictable antagonism. Their motivations are paper-thin, and their attempts at humor fall flat, often resorting to broad caricatures rather than clever writing. The emotional core, which even in a comedy can provide grounding, is completely absent. The relationships between the characters, once a source of genuine affection and frustration, are reduced to perfunctory interactions. We’re told they’re friends, but we rarely *feel* it beyond their shared quest for treasure. Even the famed treasure hunt, the very engine of the franchise, feels uninspired. The clues are too simple, the challenges too easily overcome (or conveniently ignored), and the ultimate reveal of the "Treasure of Life" is remarkably anticlimactic, leaving a sense of "that's it?" The film struggles to find a consistent tone, oscillating between broad farce, light adventure, and occasionally, surprisingly dark humor that doesn't quite fit. The visual effects are also noticeably inconsistent, with some green screen work looking jarringly out of place, detracting from any immersion the film might have hoped to achieve.
## Who Is This For?
This film is primarily for die-hard fans of the “Dhamaal” franchise who are willing to overlook significant flaws simply to see their favorite characters together again. If you grew up with the earlier films and have a strong nostalgic attachment to the cast and their comedic dynamics, you might find some fleeting enjoyment in seeing them on screen. It’s also for viewers who enjoy very broad, low-stakes slapstick comedy and don't mind a predictable plot. This isn’t a film that demands your full attention; it's something you could put on in the background while doing other things, occasionally glancing up for a familiar face or a mild chuckle. Don't go in expecting clever writing, intricate plotting, or groundbreaking comedy. It's best watched with a group of friends who are equally invested in the franchise's legacy, where the shared experience might elevate the material slightly. Expect a light, forgettable diversion – a cinematic equivalent of comfort food that has unfortunately gone a bit stale.
## Final Verdict
“Dhamaal 4” feels less like a vibrant continuation and more like a contractual obligation. While the enduring chemistry of its lead actors provides occasional sparks, it’s ultimately extinguished by a tired script, sluggish pacing, and a general lack of comedic inspiration. It’s a treasure hunt that yields very little treasure in terms of genuine laughs or memorable moments. Skip this one tonight; there are far more rewarding comedic adventures to be found on Netflix.
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