As laughter echoed through cinema halls, the recent release “Madgaon Express” made a surprising yet delightful impact, bringing joy and humor to the audience in a time when the genre seemed sparse on the big screen. Helmed by debutant director Kunal Kemmu, the film, featuring a stellar cast with Divyenndu, Pratik Gandhi, and Avinash Tiwary, has won wide acclaim for its engaging narrative and comedic excellence since its opening last week.
The movie’s success is notable amidst a backdrop where Bollywood has seen a significant reduction in well-crafted comedic content. Commenting on this auspicious timing, Kunal Kemmu shared that his motivation to write and direct “Madgaon Express” wasn’t due to a strategic targeting of the genre’s scarcity. Instead, it was a project that brought him personal joy and satisfaction. “I would be speaking out of turn if I said that I wrote the film because comedies weren’t being made,” Kemmu said. He added, “The industry goes through fads. Right now, it’s action; tomorrow, horror might work. If Madgaon Express had released when there were four comedies behind me, people would say, ‘Why do we need one more?’ I am lucky to come at a time when there has been a dearth of comedies. I just wrote a film that made me happy. I would’ve made it whenever I got the opportunity. I’m happy that there has been an appetite for it because if I have cooked food, I want hungry people,” he laughs, reflecting on the opportune hunger for comedy that his film has satisfied.
“Madgaon Express” brings to the screen a story that’s a cocktail of crime, cocaine, and comedy, set in the vibrant locale of Goa. The plot circles around three friends who find themselves at the heart of chaotic and laugh-inducing situations. As the film exceeded expectations and entertained sizable audiences, it has achieved box office success with collections nearing the Rs 10 crore mark, a testament to its positive reception amidst moviegoers.
The newfound acclaim as a director hasn’t slowed Kunal Kemmu down. Instead, it has stoked the fires of his creative energy. Kemmu, not resting on his laurels, has already penned a few more stories, which he is eager to morph into cinematic experiences. While the genres of these narratives remain a blend, one of them, he teases, is another venture into comedy – a sign that Kemmu may have found his comfort zone in making audiences laugh.
Kemmu, primarily known for his acting, has now proven his prowess in a new role behind the camera. “Writing is a constant thing in my life. It is my therapy,” he says, sharing insights into his creative process and the therapeutic angle it brings him. His ability to weave humor with storytelling is a skill that will likely see him create diverse stories that could continue to charm and entertain.
As “Madgaon Express” continues to gather accolades and heartily laughs, it marks a promising start for Kunal Kemmu’s directorial ventures. It reflects a resurgence of the beloved comedy genre in Indian cinema. With a perfect blend of timing, narrative, and delivery, Kunal Kemmu’s joy in creating “Madgaon Express” has translated into joy for an audience eager for feel-good cinema. The film has not only found its audience but has brought forth a refreshing wave of comedy precisely when it was most needed – when the world could use a little more laughter.
