Nearly two decades after it first hit screens, the Dhamaal franchise is back with its fourth outing, and this Dhamaal 4 review checks whether director Indra Kumar still has the magic touch when it comes to serving up brainless, laugh-out-loud comedy. The hunt for a treasure hidden beneath the letter W began way back in 2007, and in 2026 that same chase has moved on to the letter M for its fourth chapter. Indra Kumar returns with his trusted old gang alongside a few new faces, and the result is the same chaotic, logic-free brand of humour the series has always been known for. The franchise has always leaned on its cult multi-starrer cast and carefree tone, and that tradition continues here as well. If you are willing to leave logic at home and walk into the theatre purely for laughs, this film is built exactly for you.
The Plot Still Revolves Around A Race For Hidden Treasure
Dhamaal 4 does not attempt anything serious or complicated with its story, instead sticking closely to the franchise's own signature formula. The film follows a bunch of odd, mismatched characters who get pulled into what looks like an impossible mission, driven less by necessity than by their own uncontrollable greed. The story takes a real turn once all these characters learn of a secret location or treasure that only one person can successfully claim. What follows is a full-blown cat and mouse chase, where misunderstandings, bizarre situations, wild animals and aerial stunts keep throwing up new twists. While the four original characters lean on lessons from their past adventures, a fresh set of villains and fresh obstacles make this journey trickier and more entertaining than before. The entire film revolves around this madcap chase, keeping audiences guessing right until the end about who will finally walk away with the treasure.
Ajay Devgn's Restraint Meets The Trio's Comic Chaos
The film's biggest strength is its powerhouse cast and the chemistry between them. Ajay Devgn plays a leader or mastermind figure this time around. His serious, composed demeanour, paired with sharp comic timing, genuinely lands on screen. Without ever overplaying his hand, Ajay Devgn holds the film's light, breezy tone together rather effectively.
On the other side, the franchise's real backbone, the trio of Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Javed Jaffrey, once again proves they remain unmatched when it comes to comedy. Riteish Deshmukh's goofy energy and the brotherly bickering between Arshad Warsi's character Adi and Javed Jaffrey's character Manav drew the loudest laughs in the theatre. Scenes built around Manav's innocence and his odd little quirks in particular leave the audience in splits.
The Supporting Cast Pulls Its Weight Too
Among the supporting cast, Ravi Kishan and Sanjay Mishra dominate even their briefest scenes. Sanjay Mishra's signature dialogue delivery and Ravi Kishan's earthy, desi flavour give the film an extra edge. Upendra Limaye and Vijay Patkar also bring solid comic timing with a distinct Marathi touch. The female cast, Esha Gupta, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Anjali Anand, were not given much to actually do, but they still add to the film's glamour and keep its breezy mood intact. Brijendra Kala, even in a small role, manages his usual trick of putting a smile on the audience's face.
Direction: A Blazing First Half, A Sagging Second
Director Indra Kumar clearly understands exactly what Dhamaal audiences expect from him. He has tried to turn the film into a complete no-brainer family entertainer, and for the most part he succeeds. The first half moves at a brisk pace. The introduction of characters and the race between them kicks off so quickly that the audience never gets a chance to feel bored. The entertaining sequences and punchlines that follow keep the laughs coming steadily. Indra Kumar also revisits nostalgic moments from the earlier Dhamaal films at several points. However, his screenplay wobbles a little in the second half. Certain portions feel unnecessarily stretched, but the director's intent is clear throughout, he is not interested in adding any depth or nuance to the story, only in delivering pure entertainment, and on that specific promise he delivers.
Music And Cinematography Add To The Fun
Background score matters enormously in a comedy film, and in Dhamaal 4 the music elevates practically every funny scene. Whenever a character lands in trouble or pulls an amusing expression, the background score doubles the laughter. Two songs from the film, Saari and Chatni, had already gone viral on social media before release, and watching them play out on the big screen turns out to be even more fun.
On the cinematography front, the film looks rich and vibrant throughout. The jungle scenes, chase sequences and a few specific locations have been captured with real beauty and flair. The VFX during the climax does look somewhat weak and cartoonish in places, but given the film's comic, fantastical nature, audiences can easily overlook that. The editor keeps the first half tight, though the second half could have used a bit more trimming.
Where Dhamaal 4 Falls Short
Like every masala entertainer, Dhamaal 4 carries some clear flaws. For one, it brings nothing new to the table in terms of storytelling. Anyone who has watched the earlier films in this franchise will already have a fair idea of what is coming in the next scene. A few jokes and punchlines occasionally feel dated too. The second half slows down noticeably as it heads toward the climax, dragging the pace down for a stretch. On top of that, viewers hoping for logic or realism from this film are likely to walk away thoroughly disappointed.
The Verdict: A Switch-Off-Your-Brain Family Entertainer
Dhamaal 4 is not an Oscar contender, and it never pretends to be one. Its goal is simple and straightforward, to give theatre-going audiences full, value-for-money entertainment. For anyone looking to enjoy mindless laughs with the family, this film makes for a fairly reliable choice, and it also leaves the door wide open for audiences to start looking forward to Dhamaal 5.
