Toaster review: sparks fly, but the heat doesn't last
Bollywood comedies live or die on timing. And for most of its runtime, Toaster gets it exactly right. Rajkummar Rao plays a bumbling but endearing small-town electrician who accidentally starts a viral consumer rights movement after a cheap toaster nearly burns his rented flat. Sanya Malhotra plays his wisecracking, perpetually exasperated wife — and every scene they share together crackles with real comic energy.
The first half of Toaster moves at breakneck speed. Jokes land fast, the pacing is tight, and the absurdist situations escalate in genuinely inventive ways. A courtroom scene where Rao tries to cross-examine a broken appliance may be the funniest single sequence in a Hindi film this year.
Where the sparks fly
Rajkummar Rao reminds you why he is one of Hindi cinema's most versatile actors. He plays comedy the way he plays drama — completely committed, physically expressive, and utterly believable. His reaction shots alone carry several scenes. Sanya Malhotra matches him beat for beat, and their domestic banter feels lived-in rather than scripted.
The supporting cast adds genuine texture. The landlord played as a petty bureaucratic villain gets some of the sharpest lines. A recurring subplot involving a social media influencer documenting the toaster saga satirises consumer outrage culture with a light but accurate touch.
Where the heat doesn't last
The second half is where Toaster loses its charge. The film pivots toward a more conventional resolution — consumer wins, corporate villain exposed, domestic harmony restored — and in doing so, abandons the anarchic energy that made the first half special. The satirical edge blunts. The jokes grow broader and more telegraphed.
A subplot involving a TV news anchor feels grafted on from a different, more earnest film. And the climax, while emotionally satisfying, arrives too neatly for a film that spent 90 minutes revelling in chaos.
| Element | Verdict | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Sharp, inventive first half; conventional second | 3.5/5 |
| Rajkummar Rao | Career-best comedic work | 5/5 |
| Sanya Malhotra | Perfectly pitched, consistently funny | 4.5/5 |
| Screenplay | Strong setup, weak payoff | 3/5 |
| Music | Catchy, era-appropriate, never intrusive | 4/5 |
| Rewatch value | First half: yes. Second half: optional | 3/5 |
Should you watch Toaster?
Yes — especially if you have enjoyed previous Rajkummar Rao comedies like Bareilly Ki Barfi or Stree. Toaster does not reach those heights, but it delivers enough genuine laughs and enough genuine heart to justify 130 minutes of your time. Just keep your expectations calibrated: this is a very good first half in search of a second half that matches it.
