Movie ka premise sunnte hi mast nostalgia hit karega. Remember the first time you watched ZNMD and YJHD? Huddled closely with your group, saath mein hasna, saath mein rona? Ever since I have been comparing every other dosti waali movie to the classics. But Madgaon Express mannn. Prolly the first such movie that I have watched without making any comparisons. The movie serves punchline after punchline and almost ALL of them land. With its gripping storyline, quirky actors and hilarious punchlines, this movie is the perfect watch with your BFFs! (Ab don’t come to me asking ‘BFFs kaha se laun?’)
Plot
3 friends from different backgrounds from Mumbai dream about going to Goa. Unke liye Goa jaana was like flying close to the Sun. But jaise Icarus ka kata, inka bhi kat’ta hai. Isiliye main kehta hoon, sab plan karke ghoomne jaao. Par nahi, koi sunega tab toh??? So when Dodo makes multiple spontaneous decisions for the entire group, he very hilariously lands them in a drug circle between 3 gangster groups, and bas, ho gaya kaand shuru. Running through the sand from the police, nose bleeding from cocaine, and a bag full of cash, yeah I think that pretty much sums up the plot, but good lord the execution is so top-notch.
Performances
There were 3 things I loved the most about this movie- Pratik Gandhi, Pratik Gandhi..and, Pratik Gandhi. Very few actors can make you laugh without delivering any dialogue, and Pratik is one of them. The quick switches between a momma’s boy and Rambo cracked me up so bad lmao. Never knew Pratik was this versatile man! If you’ve watched Mirzapur, you’ll know Divyenndu has great comic timing. And he nails it here too– bro is crazy good as Dodo, the middle-class family ka beta who has a fake social media persona just to ‘fit in’ with the crowd. Avinash Tiwary is the only sane one (all Tiwarys are smart, mujhe hi dekh lo hehe). He’s like that chidhi hui mother who constantly tries to smack some sense into his friends while also battling to get out of the mess. Apart from them, the OGs Chhaya Kadam as Kanchan and Upendra Limaye as Mendoza are just out and out hilarious. Not ONE dull moment with them. Overall, kaafi W performance! There’s also a vv fun cameo in the film, and I’m sure you guys are gonna love itttt.
Direction and Writing
With Kunal Kemmu’s directorial debut, one thing is especially clear, he takes ROFL very seriously. The best part about the writing is that it is just so witty. No forced jokes, just real, organic comedy. Yes, some moments do get pretty over-the-top, but I really didn’t care just cuz of the amount of fun I was having. Also, the direction man. Kunal’s directorial style reminded me so much of the Welcome and Hera Pheri days (no I’m not making comparisons, it just made me feel nostalgic, that’s all). Also, the movie just goes berserk after the interval break, and I am not complaining at all! Overall, witty writing combined with the cast’s spot-on comic timing really does the job for ‘Madgaon Express’.
Screenplay and Cinematography
Let me tell you, if you don’t watch the movie laughing, and shouting the guts outta you in the theatre, you’re prolly just a rock in a human’s shape. Out and out hilarious, and not one moment of boredom. There are hardly any dragged scenes, and more importantly, the movie isn’t just about laughs. You do see some emo moments, you know, wholesome bromance and stuff. And that keeps you connected to the characters and feel for them. Each frame is shot beautifully, capturing Goa in all its beauty… and well… its crime. Not a big fan of the dance numbers though. Weren’t really needed in the first place, and on top of that they’re just mid.
Bhai istg don’t you dare miss this movie *clocks gun*. I’ve seen such a good comedy Bolly film after ages, isliye bol raha hoon. Go w your friends (but not with the one who cancels plans last minute) and have one hell of a time with them. Can’t wait to watch it all over again!
