Kunal Kemmu’s sharp writing plays a pivotal role in Madgaon Express‘s blend of comedy and drama, but it’s safe to say that a Dil Chahta Hai it’s not.
There’s a line from 3 Idiots where Dubey ji, the librarian, says to Virus:
That’s the first impression you get when you watch Madgaon Express, the directorial debut of Kunal Kemmu, whose acting work credits include Mr India, Zakhm, Kalyug, and Go Goa Gone. The story of Madgaon Express features three friends journeying to Goa for a vacation.
For a second, you rub your eyes to ensure you’re not watching a cocktail of Dil Chahta Hai meets Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The movie features Pratik Gandhi, Divyenndu, Avinash Tiwary, Nora Fatehi, Upendra Limaye, and Chhaya Kadam. During the film’s promotion, Kunal shared that the movie pays tribute to his initial trip to Goa via the Madgaon Express, emphasizing that journeys by road or rail offer richer experiences than flying.
Things become more apparent when you realize that the film has been produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment, a brand that has literally written the rule book on friendship. As far as inspirations go, it’s not a bad goal to aspire to.
Does Madgaon Express capture the essence of those earlier classics? Let’s find out.
What’s the Story of ‘Madgaon Express’?
Pinku (Gandhi), Ayush (Tiwary), and Dodo (Sharma) have been friends since their school days. Like many young people in India, constrained by limited budgets and strict parents, their dreams of a Goa vacation were never realized. Once Pinku and Ayush moved overseas, leaving Dodo in a rut, things went from bad to worse. To compensate for his lack of success, Dodo maintains connections through social media, crafting a fabricated online image to impress his affluent friends. His deception risks coming to light when Pinku and Ayush plan a visit to Mumbai, prompting Dodo to propose the long-delayed trip to Goa as a diversion.
Also Read: Why Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha is Considered a Modern Cult Classic
What Works in ‘Madgaon Express’?
The movie breaks the mold with its authentic humor and originality in an industry often criticized for its formulaic comedies. While the film excels in its smartly crafted dialogues, delivered with perfect timing by a talented cast, it is ultimately Divyenndu who leads from the front. After his role as Munna Tripathi in Mirzapur, Divyenndu once again excels as a charismatic trickster with flawless comedic delivery. Pratik Gandhi also garners laughs as he transforms from a timid character into a fearless figure in comedic, drug-related mishaps. Avinash Tiwary, who last wowed us with his serious role in Sikanda ka Muqaddar, anchors the group with his comparatively grounded performance. Upendra Limaye was humorously misnamed throughout the film, and Chhaya Kadam contributed notably to the film’s entertainment with their engaging performances. But the surprise package was Norah Fatehi who more than held her own with a very laid back and underplayed performance that landed just right.
The movie has many great situational scenes that are unique and funny. One such scene happens at the railway station when Dodo, unable to afford flights, presents it as an authentic travel experience, leading to a comedic mishap with switched bags. This sets off a series of comic adventures involving heavy drinking, drug mishaps, and encounters with criminals and police. Marathi actors Upendra Limaye and Chhaya Kadam shine as comedic rival gangsters with a history. Another standout moment is Pinku, under the influence of cocaine, candidly discussing his interfaith relationship with Ayush on a secluded, sun-drenched beach.
What Doesn’t Work?
Have you ever experienced that tingling feeling in your nose that hints at a sneeze that refuses to come? That’s how some of the gags and jokes feel as you hold your breath, waiting for the punchline. Madgaon Express sometimes suffers from overindulgence in slapstick humor, disrupting its otherwise smooth flow.
The late inclusion of a gunfight and a showdown lacks the cleverness seen in early films by Priyadarshan. Kunal Kemmu, an avid movie fan, nods to a broad range of cinema influences, from his own Go Goa Gone to The Hangover trilogy and The Godfather. One gets the feeling that in his haste to tick all the boxes, Kemmu sometimes overemphasizes scenes, with some visual concepts not landing well, such as poorly executed fantasy dance sequences.
The film’s pacing also falters at times, with extended scenes and abrupt narrative shifts. One such instance involves Dodo creating an extensive social media facade to draw his friends’ attention and a comical brawl at a fish market where he and Pinku disguise themselves as fisherwomen, further extending the film’s length.
Final Verdict
While it might be tempting to view Madgaon Express as a modern take on Dil Chahta Hai with a focus on drugs, it doesn’t quite reach that mark. Farhan Akhtar’s film skillfully depicted the evolution of male friendships with depth and emotion, while Madgaon Express, despite moments of genuine emotion, remains predominantly a lively comedy similar to Todd Phillips’ style. Its characters, humorously portrayed by Gandhi, Sharma, and Tiwary, deliver sharp camaraderie, yet the film falls short of deeper emotional connections.
We give it a solid 3.5 out of 5.
