Dhamaal 4 (2026): Indra Kumar s gives the film energy despite weak payoffs

The treasure-hunt setup sends Guddu, Adi, Lallan, and Manav scrambling through another century-old fortune, their greed colliding in familiar slapstick chaos. The reunion is warm, but the comedy engine sputters well before the 143-minute runtime crawls to its finish.

Ajay Devgn Anchors the Ensemble, But the Material Tests His Comic Range

Devgn’s Guddu remains the identifiable anchor, his deadpan delivery cutting through the noise when the script allows it. He works best in the group confrontation sequences, where his exasperation feels genuine against the escalating madness.

Yet the role demands little beyond what he has already done in two prior entries. The script never pushes him into fresh comic territory, leaving his performance competent but deeply familiar.

Arshad Warsi and Riteish Deshmukh Carry the Banter, Jaaved Jaaferi Keeps the Continuity

Warsi’s Adi continues to be the franchise’s principal comic engine, his timing sharp even when the jokes land flat. His banter-driven exchanges with Devgn provide some of the film’s few genuinely funny beats.

Deshmukh’s Lallan supports the central trio dynamic with reliable energy, though his character arc remains static. Jaaferi’s Manav anchors the continuity from earlier entries, his presence a comforting nod for franchise loyalists even when the writing gives him little to do.

The expanded supporting roster, including Ravi Kishan, Sanjay Mishra, and Sanjeeda Sheikh, signals commercial ambition, but their roles lack definition in the available material. Their casting suggests a broader ensemble comedy, yet the screenplay never commits to giving them distinct comic identities.

Direction and Screenplay: A Linear Chase With No Escalation

Indra Kumar’s direction keeps the film aligned with the franchise’s broad comic style, ensuring the ensemble pacing never drags into stillness. But the linear treasure-hunt structure prevents any real dramatic escalation, with each set piece feeling like a variation of the last.

The screenplay’s reliance on familiar franchise beats is its clearest flaw. Repetition replaces invention, and the second half reportedly becomes exhausting as the chase stretches thin. The setup works; the payoff does not.

Genre Execution: Comedy Built on Chaos, Not Craft

The film uses ensemble banter as its primary comic device, with slapstick and physical chaos driving the set pieces. The treasure-hunt sequences push the group into repeated predicaments, confrontations built on greed and misunderstanding, but the pattern grows stale quickly.

There is no single standout scene that redefines the comedy, nor a moment that justifies the extended runtime. The group rivalry dynamics function adequately, yet they never reach the sharpness of the original Dhamaal or the leaner Double Dhamaal.

For a comedy, the film’s biggest problem is that it stops being funny long before it stops being loud. The chaos is constant, but the laughs become sparse as the chase wears on.

Audience Reception and Box Office: A Commercial Hit With Critical Caveats

India TV rated the film 3 out of 5, noting the ensemble cast as a major draw while flagging the overextended plot. The IMDb audience score of 4.6 from 87 votes reflects a more skeptical viewer base, with complaints centered on repetition and recycled formulas.

The box office tells a different story. Sacnilk reported a ₹14 crore India net on opening day, and by late August, the film had amassed ₹230.07 crore worldwide gross with ₹167.78 crore India net, numbers that earned it a “Hit” verdict despite the mixed critical response.

Sacnilk’s tracking showed a strong opening-weekend trend, confirming that franchise familiarity remains a powerful draw for family audiences. The film’s commercial success proves the brand’s durability even when the comedy itself feels worn.

For viewers who loved the earlier entries, the reunion alone may justify the ticket. For those expecting fresh writing or inventive humor, this fourth outing offers little beyond nostalgia.

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The Verdict: A Nostalgic Reunion That Overstays Its Welcome

The ensemble chemistry remains intact, and the broad commercial setup is easy to follow, but the repetitive treasure-chase structure undermines the film’s comic potential. I found myself checking the runtime more than once, which is never a good sign for a comedy.

Watch it if you are a franchise loyalist or want a no-brainer family outing. Skip it if you value tight writing and fresh gags over familiar faces doing familiar things.

Dhamaal 4 earns a middling 2.5 out of 5, a reunion that warms the heart but never ignites the laughter.

For a tighter comic thriller, check out Qaid review.

If you prefer sharper ensemble dynamics, Naina verdict offers a different kind of tension.