'Kaalidhar Laapata' Movie Review: Abhishek Bachchan anchors an emotionally ambitious but uneven drama

"What if he brings home an expensive disease? Where will the money come from?" asks the sister-in-law, cold and matter-of-fact, in 'Kaalidhar Laapata', an emotional drama where Abhishek Bachchan plays Kaalidhar, a man grappling with dementia.

Directed by Madhumita Sundararaman, the film is a Hindi adaptation of the Tamil original K.D., and it traces the emotional journey of a middle-aged man who is discarded by his own family when he becomes a burden. Left to navigate a fading memory and an unforgiving world, Kaalidhar slowly rediscovers slivers of joy and purpose in the things he once loved.

The film strikes a deeply relatable chord: what happens to a man battling dementia in a world that doesn’t know how to care for him, let alone understand him? From the very beginning, it’s clear that 'Kaalidhar Laapata' is steering us toward heartbreak, and Abhishek Bachchan delivers a quietly devastating performance that makes every moment count.

By his side is Daivik Baghela as Bhallu, a spirited young boy who finds in Kaalidhar the father figure he never had. Abandoned as a baby, Bhallu clings to Kaalidhar, who becomes his entire world.

Where the film stumbles, however, is in its storytelling. While the core idea holds emotional weight, the narrative loses its spark once Kaalidhar and Bhallu set off on their journey. What begins as a promising exploration of companionship soon slips into predictability. Kaalidhar finds joy in life’s simplest pleasures, but as viewers, we sense too easily that this happiness is fleeting, making the emotional beats feel a bit too familiar.

The emotional confrontations between Kaalidhar and his family veer into slightly cliched territory, especially when he declares, "I did everything, only to be abandoned by my own family." It’s a line we’ve heard before, but Abhishek Bachchan breathes such sincerity into it that it still hits home. If you find yourself getting emotional, it’s not the writing that moves you, it’s Abhishek’s nuanced performance that does the heavy lifting.

Daivik Baghela beautifully complements Abhishek’s performance, bringing a disarming honesty to Bhallu. He’s a child, yes, but his maturity often makes you pause and wonder, How can someone so young be this perceptive? Bhallu is candid, wise beyond his years, and never tries too hard to be endearing. More than a typical father-son dynamic, his bond with Kaalidhar feels like genuine camaraderie; two unlikely companions holding each other up.

The second half leans heavily into emotional territory; Kaalidhar coming to terms with his family’s choices, reconnecting with a long-lost love, Bhallu’s education, and his reluctance to let go of their bond. While these moments are clearly designed to tug at the heart, they often feel scripted, almost as if lifted straight from a textbook on emotional storytelling. The intent is heartfelt, but the impact doesn’t always land as deeply as it should.

'Kaalidhar Laapata' is a film that means well, and thanks to Abhishek Bachchan’s moving performance and his chemistry with Daivik Baghela, it occasionally soars. But in trying to tick every emotional box, it loses some of its authenticity along the way. Still, beneath the slightly formulaic structure lies a tender story about forgotten people, unexpected friendships, and the fragile dignity of those simply trying to be seen. It's not perfect, but it’s a reminder that even in a world quick to discard the vulnerable, moments of connection can still shine through.