Dhobi Ghat

Village Voice by

Had Rao chosen to foreground her tantalizing ideas instead of her instantly forgettable characters, Mumbai Diaries could have been more than the sum of its parts.

New York Daily News by Elizabeth Weitzman

From performances to pacing, nearly every element of Rao's debut is uneven. But her passionate vision of so much useless prejudice leaves a lingering impact.

Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas

It marks a subtle, assured and altogether distinctive feature debut for writer-director Rao and its radiant leading lady, rock star and stage performer Monica Dogra.

The Hollywood Reporter by Kirk Honeycutt

Easily one of the most dynamic cinematic portraits of that decaying, vibrant, impossible city ever made; it treats the city itself as a character.

New York Post by Lou Lumenick

Satisfying, well-acted drama.

Movieline by Michelle Orange

Rao's ultimate achievements - including a balanced, doleful tone and moments of city symphony elegance - are undercut by the arrangement of her characters into narrative castes that cross paths but can't quite connect.

Time Out by Nick Schager

Unfortunately, Mumbai Diaries addresses these weighty concerns with such delicacy that they barely make an impact, thus calling further undue attention to the creakiness of the warhorse plot.

The New York Times by Rachel Saltz

Ms. Rao gives the city an immediacy it doesn't usually have in films. But she has more feel for mood than for storytelling.

San Francisco Chronicle by Walter Addiego

Rao avoids high drama, and while there is humor, the film's tone is one of melancholy.