Dhamaal 4 Telugu Review: Ajay Devgn’s Madcap Adventure Falters in Latter Half
Dhamaal 4 offers early comic highs but loses momentum in the second half, despite lively performances from Ajay Devgn and team.
(Image: Dumtika Editorial)
Director Indra Kumar, known for his flair in comedy franchises like Total Dhamaal (a decent hit), returns with Dhamaal 4. Ajay Devgn, whose recent outings have seen mixed results at the Telugu box office, headlines this ensemble, raising curiosity among audiences in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana who have enjoyed the franchise’s dubbed versions.
Did Indra Kumar replicate his earlier comic success? Could Ajay Devgn and team recreate the signature chaos? Did the film's music elevate the narrative? Does the adventure element match up to Telugu comedy capers? Let’s figure it out with a detailed analysis.
What is it about?
Dhamaal 4 revolves around a frenzied hunt for Shaitaan Singh’s legendary treasure. Ajay Devgn (Guddu), Arshad Warsi (Adi), Riteish Deshmukh (Lallan), Jaaved Jaaferi (Manav), Ravi Kishan (Adhoora), and others race against time and each other, with Upendra Limaye (Prithvi) holding the crucial map. The mad chase leads to a volley of comic mishaps and outlandish scenarios across India.
Performances
Ajay Devgn (Guddu) anchors the chaos with his trademark deadpan humor. Riteish Deshmukh (Lallan) and Anjali Anand (Paaro) deliver standout performances, infusing life into their roles. Jaaved Jaaferi (Manav) continues his lovable, bumbling act, while Arshad Warsi (Adi) brings energy but gets repetitive. Ravi Kishan (Adhoora) is convincing as the pirate leader. Sanjay Mishra and the supporting cast provide sporadic laughs.
Technicalities
Tanishk Bagchi and team’s music is underwhelming, except for a lively recreation of "Bella Ciao." The background score by Aditya Dev fits the zany mood. Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary’s cinematography captures the adventure’s scale, but Sanjay Sankla’s editing struggles with pacing, especially post-interval. Visual effects are inconsistent, with some green screen moments lacking polish.
Positives
- Engaging first half with energetic comic sequences
- Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, and Anjali Anand’s performances
- Pre-interval cliff scene delivers laughs
Negatives
- Second half loses momentum and fun quotient
- Predictable screenplay with repetitive gags
- Songs (barring one) fail to impress
- Weak visual effects in key scenes
Analysis
Indra Kumar sticks to his tried-and-tested formula, but unlike some Telugu comedies that blend adventure with humor (like Anando Brahma or Eega’s madcap moments), Dhamaal 4’s writing falters in the latter half. While the first hour is brisk and fun, the narrative runs out of steam, making the treasure hunt less engaging. The lack of novelty and uneven pacing prevent it from reaching the heights of its predecessors, or matching the inventive tone often seen in Telugu ensemble comedies.
Final Verdict
Routine Fun With Diminishing Returns Rating – 2.5/5
