Dhobi Ghat, released in Jan 2011, is a Hindi film (there’s also an English version) directed by Kiran Rao in her directorial debut. The film stars Aamir Khan, Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra, and Kriti Malhotra.

Contrary to the opinion of some reviewers, I think the film moves rapidly, leaving a lot of things unspoken and left for the viewers imagination to fill. There are 2-3 different plots running in parallel, and the dark plot is of Yasmin. I don’t think any recent film maker has achieved such depth in their film.

This film is different and has an impact if you are willing to keep an open mind. Its not a song and dance movie. The movie felt more like a novel you are reading well past midnight. The endings are loose, with a purpose I guess, to let each viewer decide what they want to take away with them.

The movie is about people who come to Mumbai from across India, and their struggle to live in the fast city. Not everybody succeeds.  The movie shows how each person discovers something new in them. The movie also takes you into the heart of a young married woman, from the initial happiness to following despair to sudden final revelation.

Watch it with an open mind, and see what you would have done in such situations.  All actors have played their role very well. Thanks to Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan for making this movie. I appreciate it.

– Shankar