Kaalidhar Laapata (2025) Movie: Abhishek Bachchan’s Heartfelt Take on Family Abandonment Falls Short
Director Madhumita Sundararaman brings us a story that many Indian families will recognize but few discuss openly. Kaalidhar Laapata stars Abhishek Bachchan as a man facing every aging parent’s nightmare – being seen as a burden by his own children.
The film features Nimrat Kaur, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and young Daivik Baghela in supporting roles. Released straight to ZEE5 in July 2025, this drama attempts to shine light on how we treat our elders.
A Story Rooted in Reality
Kaalidhar’s world crumbles when he accidentally overhears his family discussing how to get rid of him. His developing memory problems have made him inconvenient, and his siblings see only one solution – abandonment.
Instead of confronting them, Kaalidhar quietly packs his belongings and disappears. His path crosses with Ballu, a street-smart orphan who becomes his unlikely companion. Their friendship forms the heart of this journey.
Bachchan Brings Depth to a Difficult Role
Abhishek handles Kaalidhar’s emotional journey with care, showing both his character’s pain and resilience. I appreciated how he avoided over-dramatizing the more melodramatic scenes, keeping his performance grounded.
Young Daivik matches him well, creating a believable bond between two people society has discarded. Their scenes together work because both actors understand that less can often mean more in emotional storytelling.
Mixed Results in Storytelling
Madhumita’s direction shows understanding of the subject matter, but her screenplay struggles with consistency. The first half builds tension effectively, but the second half loses focus and becomes repetitive.
I found myself wishing the film had explored Kaalidhar’s internal struggle more deeply. The road trip format provides good opportunities for character development, but many scenes feel rushed or incomplete.
Technical Elements Support the Story
The cinematography captures both urban and rural landscapes nicely, showing Kaalidhar’s journey from comfort to uncertainty. The music doesn’t intrude too much, though it occasionally becomes sentimental when subtlety would work better.
Production design reflects middle-class Indian family life accurately. The costumes and locations feel authentic, helping viewers connect with the characters’ world without distraction.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The film’s biggest strength lies in choosing a topic that needs discussion. Many viewers will see their own families reflected in Kaalidhar’s situation, making his story personally relevant.
However, predictable plot developments hurt the viewing experience. I could guess most story beats well before they happened, which reduced emotional impact. The film also relies too heavily on coincidences to move the story forward.
How Critics and Audiences Responded
Professional reviewers gave mixed reactions, with most praising the film’s intentions while criticizing its execution. IMDb users rated it 7.7/10, suggesting audiences connected with the emotional content despite story problems.
Bollywood Hungama awarded 2.5 stars, calling it well-intentioned but flawed. Other critics appreciated Bachchan’s commitment to the role while noting the script’s weaknesses limited his performance’s impact.
Worth Your Time?
Kaalidhar Laapata succeeds in starting conversations about elderly care in Indian families. The central relationship between Kaalidhar and Ballu provides genuine emotional moments that make the viewing experience worthwhile.
The film works best when viewed as a social drama rather than pure entertainment. If you enjoy stories that tackle real-world problems, even imperfectly, this one deserves your attention despite its flaws.
