Ajay Devgn's Dhamaal 4 Starts Well, Satish Kaushik's AI Return Leaves Fans Emotional

Bollywood has been witnessing a major theatrical release almost every week, and this Friday, the spotlight belongs to Dhamaal 4 , headlined by Ajay Devgn . Released in theatres today, the comedy entertainer has received mixed reviews from critics but has managed a solid Day 1 collection of Rs. 15.5 crore net at the Indian box office, exceeding expectations based on its advance bookings.

Trade experts note that Dhamaal 4 has followed a trend similar to Akshay Kumar's Welcome to the Jungle , which also opened stronger than its advance sales suggested, thanks to impressive walk-in audiences and strong collections from mass centres. With bookings witnessing a healthy jump on Saturday, the film is now eyeing a very good opening weekend.

Directed by Indra Kumar , Dhamaal 4 revolves around the hunt for Shaitaan Singh's century-old hidden treasure , with multiple gangs racing to claim the fortune. Prithvi (Upendra Limaye) is the only man who knows the secret map leading to the treasure, making him the prime target of pirate leader Adhoora (Ravi Kishan) . Meanwhile, Guddu (Ajay Devgn), Adi (Arshad Warsi), Manav (Jaaved Jaaferi), Lallan (Riteish Deshmukh), Paaro (Anjali Anand), and Rosy (Sanjeeda Sheikh) join the chaotic chase, hoping to become billionaires, resulting in a series of hilarious misadventures.

The film's first half has emerged as its biggest strength. While the storyline offers little that is new, the fast-paced comedy keeps audiences entertained with several laugh-out-loud moments. The pre-interval sequence featuring the entire gang hanging from a cliff while arguing over the treasure has particularly struck a chord with viewers. Another standout comic stretch involves Jaaved Jaaferi's character unintentionally injuring Sanjeeda Sheikh repeatedly, while Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Mishra's ghost encounter also delivers genuine laughs. Among the cast, Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh and Anjali Anand have received praise for their performances.

However, the second half has drawn mixed reactions. As the narrative shifts towards the adventure and treasure hunt, the comedy takes a back seat. Critics feel the screenplay loses momentum, with predictable twists, repetitive sequences and a slower pace preventing the film from maintaining the energy established before the interval. The treasure hunt itself lacks enough exciting moments, and the songs, barring the recreation of Bella Ciao , fail to leave a lasting impact.

Technically, the film scores with its quirky background score and effective cinematography by Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary , though the visual effects are inconsistent, with green screen work becoming noticeable in a few scenes. Indra Kumar's direction delivers an enjoyable first half but falls short of sustaining the madness throughout, although the emotional touch in the climax has been appreciated.

Despite the mixed response to its second half, the film's biggest talking point has undoubtedly been its heartfelt tribute to late actor Satish Kaushik . The makers have recreated his beloved Bata Bhai character using advanced AI and CGI technology , bringing the veteran comedian back to the screen in a special sequence that has left audiences emotional.

Instead of relying on archived footage, the team digitally recreated Satish Kaushik using artificial intelligence and visual effects, making the tribute feel fresh and respectful. The surprise appearance has generated massive buzz on social media, with many fans calling it one of the most memorable moments in the film. Several viewers have praised the makers for honouring the legendary actor in a way that celebrates his timeless comic legacy.

Adding to the excitement, Dhamaal 4 reportedly concludes with a tease for Dhamaal 5 , hinting that the popular comedy franchise will continue.