Director: Indra Kumar
Rating: ***
Released in theaters today, July 10, 2026, Dhamaal 4 returns to prove that Bollywood's favorite bulletproof comedy franchise is as stubbornly hilariously as ever. Director Indra Kumar reclaims his favorite playground, scaling up the trademark, leave-your-brain-at-home adventure into a 143-minute riot of non-stop situational chaos.
Reuniting the classic gang with a few new eccentric additions, the film proudly chooses to double down on mindless slapstick and nostalgia over highbrow logic.
The Story & Script
The screenplay, penned by Paritosh Painter, Balvinder Singh Suri, and Bunty Rathore, feels like a massive, comfort-food tribute to the 2007 original. This time around, the madness centers on a century-old hidden treasure belonging to a legendary figure known as Shaitaan Singh. The crucial map to this absolute fortune is locked away in the highly faulty, chaotic memory of Prithvi (Upendra Limaye).
The real fun begins when the secret slips out, sparking a breathless, madcap race across wild environments to reach a mysterious island. The script brings back the iconic running gag of the giant, hidden "W," but with an outrageous twist: the symbol appears upside down, leaving the greedy, bumbling ensemble frantically arguing whether they are looking for a "W" or a massive "M." From haunted mansion doorbells giving electric shocks to unintended pirate encounters and wild jungle disasters, the story functions purely as a vehicle for rapid-fire situational comedy.
Direction & Screenplay
Indra Kumar fully understands what the audience wants from a Dhamaal film. He completely avoids the trap of preachy subplots or trying to ground the film in structural reality. The screenplay moves at a relentless, breakneck speed in the first half, packing in tons of sharp, self-referential jokes and Easter eggs that long-time fans will instantly catch.
While the second half does stretch its 2 hours and 23 minutes runtime slightly with a few repetitive chase sequences on the island, the pure volume of laugh-out-loud lines prevents the momentum from fully dropping.
Performances
Arshad Warsi & Jaaved Jaaferi: The absolute heartbeat and comic spine of this franchise remain undefeated. Their effortless, electric chemistry as Adi and Manav is spectacular. Jaaved’s signature wide-eyed, naive stupidity perfectly counters Arshad’s exasperated, scheming street-smarts.
Ajay Devgn: Entering the mix with absolute swagger and screen-dominating presence, Devgn plays the straight-faced orchestrator of the group with incredible comedic timing.
Sanjay Mishra: Mishra steals every single scene he is in. His iconic, deadpan line delivery and unique dialogue rhythm yield some of the biggest roaring laughs in the theater.
Riteish Deshmukh: Riteish slips right back into his classic, hyper-reactive comedy zone, matching the frantic energy of the original boys step-for-step.
The New Additions: Ravi Kishan, Upendra Limaye, and Vijay Patkar provide exceptional regional flavor and chaos, while Sanjeeda Shaikh, Esha Gupta, and Anjali Anand inject a highly welcoming, fresh charm into the otherwise male-dominated, chaotic treasure hunt.
Technical Craft & Sequels
Visuals & VFX: The film is visually bright, colorful, and glossy. While some of the CGI elements during the island's wild animal and pirate-themed set pieces look a bit cartoonish, it actually works in favor of the film’s stylized, comic-book nature.
The Mid-Credits Surprise: Make sure you don't leave your seats immediately when the curtains roll. The film closes out with an incredibly clever, laugh-out-loud teaser sequence that directly confirms Dhamaal 5 is already in the pipeline, setting up a hilarious preview for the next installment.
Final Verdict
Dhamaal 4 is a wholesome, unapologetic, and incredibly fun family entertainer that delivers exactly what it promises. It doesn't aim for cinematic perfection or deep underlying messages; it simply wants to make you laugh until your stomach hurts. Anchored by the legendary chemistry of Arshad and Jaaved, and powered by Sanjay Mishra's brilliant comic timing, it is the perfect carefree theatrical escape to share with your family and kids this weekend.
