Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK : April 22: The latest film starring Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra, titled Toaster, directed by Vivek Daschaudhary, attempts to build an unusual crime thriller around an everyday household appliance, turning a simple toaster into the centre of a sprawling tale of greed, corruption, and moral decay.

Set against the backdrop of an economically strained middle-class household, the film follows the life of Ramakant, played by Rajkummar Rao, a frugal and anxious man who runs a small perfume business while constantly worrying about saving money in a rapidly expensive world. His wife, Shilpa, played by Sanya Malhotra, shares his middle-class struggles but often finds herself managing the consequences of his extreme penny-pinching habits.

The story begins with a seemingly trivial purchase—a toaster bought reluctantly as a gift for a wedding. However, when the wedding is unexpectedly called off, Ramakant attempts to retrieve the gift, only to discover that it has been donated to an orphanage. What starts as an innocent quest soon spirals into a dark chain of events involving crime, death, and blackmail.

The narrative progresses, the toaster becomes an unwitting witness to a web of suspicious circumstances. Ramakant’s desperate attempt to recover it leads him to a neighbour’s house, where a sudden death triggers further complications. The situation escalates when he becomes entangled with Glen, a drug-addicted young man connected to the deceased, portrayed by Abhishek Banerjee. A confrontation leads to accidental death, which is secretly recorded by another resident, setting off a cycle of blackmail that pushes Ramakant into increasingly disturbing situations.

What follows is a descent into moral ambiguity, where the protagonist finds himself trapped between law enforcement pressure and personal survival. The police investigation intensifies as the mysterious toaster appears to be linked to a larger, concealed scandal involving corruption and hidden wrongdoing.

While the film attempts to blend satire with crime drama, it struggles to maintain tonal consistency. The premise of building an entire narrative around a toaster is bold and unusual, but the execution often stretches credibility, with the storyline veering between dark comedy and exaggerated melodrama.

Rajkummar Rao, known for acclaimed performances in films such as Newton, Trapped, and CityLights, once again takes on a challenging role. However, his recent film choices have drawn mixed responses, with Toaster adding to a series of experimental commercial projects that have divided audiences. In this film, his performance oscillates between restrained intensity and forced comedic timing, which does not always land effectively.

Sanya Malhotra delivers a grounded and convincing performance as Shilpa, providing emotional balance to the chaotic narrative. Her portrayal remains natural and avoids unnecessary dramatization. Abhishek Banerjee, in a brief but impactful role, adds depth to the darker portions of the story, while Archana Puran Singh appears in a supporting role that adds a touch of familiarity to the ensemble.

Despite its ambitious concept, the film’s screenplay fails to fully capitalise on its intriguing premise. The narrative often becomes cluttered, and the satirical commentary on corruption and middle-class anxiety does not always translate into coherent storytelling. As a result, Toaster feels uneven, with moments of promise overshadowed by inconsistent writing.

The film attempts to present a metaphorical critique of systemic corruption through an absurd object, but the execution leaves much of its potential unrealised. With Rajkummar Rao’s recent string of unconventional roles continuing to spark debate, Toaster further raises questions about his evolving choices ahead of his upcoming biographical projects.