Delhi Belly is one of those films that, at first glance, may not have much going for it. Yet, with its hilarious and still-quoted dialogues, on-point music, and a no-frills approach to storytelling, it is anything but mundane. Moreover, with Imran Khan, Kunaal Roy Kapur, and Vir Das in the lead roles, it’s not hard to see why Delhi Belly has the sort of cult following it has amassed over the past decade.
A “TL;DR” Review of Delhi Belly (2011)
- Story — 4.5/5
- Acting — 4/5
- Music — 3.5/5
- Direction — 4/5
Must Watch: Yes!
Delhi Belly (2011) Review — A Deep Dive
Fueled by wit, humour, and a series of misadventures, Delhi Belly is a rollercoaster ride of absurdity and comedy, testing the limits of friendship and survival in an urban setting. All of this gives it a very fresh vibe, even though a comedy of errors fraught with danger is a narrative that has been explored in cinema for far too long.
The trio of Khan, Kapur, and Das is an excellent casting choice, especially since Khan — who has often been typecast as a romantic lead — has brought out his edgy side in Delhi Belly in a way that it is hard to imagine anyone else play the repressed Tashi with such finesse. In fact, all lead actors have done justice to their characters.
Speaking of the cast, Shenaz Treasurywala and Poorna Jagannathan (who really stood out in the film) have also put on a great show, and Vijay Raaz is sheer perfection as the gunda who wants his diamonds.
To be frank, there is hardly anything to critique in this movie, even if it contains profanity or abusive language, which isn’t a big deal at all. If anything, it adds to the rustic milieu the film is going for and works in its favour. It’s not unnecessary, and even if it were, the dialogues are written and delivered so aptly that there is nothing offensive about it.
In other words, without that gaali-galoch, Delhi Belly would not been the comedy gem it is today.
The music of Delhi Belly also deserves a shoutout. I always love it when Indian films break the “Bollywood formula” of incorporating expansive songs in the movie for mere entertainment value, and Delhi Belly has songs that are still much loved even today. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that numbers like Bhaag D.K. Bose had a chokehold on the youth when the first film was released, and its music still holds up today.
When all is said and done, if you want a cheeky film that keeps you laughing all the way through, then Delhi Belly needs to be on your watchlist.
Delhi Belly Plot Overview 
In Delhi Belly, three hapless roommates — Tashi, Nitin, and Arup — find themselves entangled in a chaotic mess after accidentally swapping a package containing smuggled diamonds with one filled with stool samples. As they navigate through the bustling streets of Delhi, they encounter gangsters, corrupt politicians, and relentless goons, all hot on their trail.
With their lives at stake and time running out, the trio must outsmart their adversaries while dealing with their own personal dilemmas.
