Dhobi Ghat is a brilliant Indian "Indie" film directed by Kiran Rao, wife of Bollywood star Aamir Khan (who plans an understated Arun in the film). It is about the intersection of four lives, much in the flavor of the Paul Haggis film Crash (2004). Breathtaking photography of Mumbai in all its decay and vibrancy is reminiscent of Slumdog Millionaire. As in much Indian literature (The God of Small Things is the quintessential exemplar), the protagonists are foiled by their class (or lack of). A one-night stand between the beautiful New York-investment banker Shai (Monica Digra) and the emotionally remote artist Arun never gets traction. At the same time, the dhobi wallah (clothes washer) Munna (Prateik), a poor boy with dreams of Bollywood stardom, falls hopelessly in love with the sophisticated Shai. The dhobi wallah compound is a well known tourist stop in Mumbai. In parallel, the postmodern essence of this movie is a film within a film. Arun moves into a flat in the Muslim section of the city, and discovers a video left in an armoire, belonging to the previous tenant. It is the diary of a videographer, whose piece opens the film, a young Muslim bride, Yasmin (Kriti Malhotra). Arun is transfixed by the videos and is inspired to paint based on what he discovers. As the videos unfold, he discovers her husband has been unfaithful, ultimately leading to a tragic ending. Unrequited love amongst characters with disparate roots is the theme. In the final scene, realizing he will never attain her, the dhobi runs to catch Shai's taxi to give her Arun's new address. Likewise, she crumbles the note.
