It’s all about controlling costs. Aamir Khan has proved with Dhobi Ghat that even a class-appealing film can be turned into a profitable venture if made in a tight budget. He has reportedly spent Rs. 6 crore to produce Dhobi Ghat. He has expended an additional Rs. 5 crore to promote and release the film. His cost has totalled to just Rs. 11 crore because he hasn’t charged his company a single naya paisa for acting in the film.


Irrespective of its genre, an Aamir Khan production is looked forward to with super-enthusiasm. Films like LAGAAN, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR, JAANE TU YA JAANE NA and PEEPLI [LIVE] have redefined cinema and in their own small way prompted film-makers to think beyond the stereotype. That automatically raises the bar for AKP's new endeavor DHOBI GHAT.

Blessy Chettiar, film critic of DNA, wrote, "With Dhobi Ghat, Kiran Rao finally gives Mumbai a film that represents its true hues and tints." Mathures Paul of The Statesman gave the film 4 out of 5 stars noting that, "Dhobi Ghat is part atmospheric portrait, part video diary that has enough heart-breaking moments you don’t want to watch. But neither can you look away".

Mayank Shekhar of The Hindustan Times gave the film 3.5 stars stating, "Bombay, is the centre of this film’s attention. It’s probably the only city in the world where so many classes so closely merge into a common river of sorrows, beauty or hope: unaware of how each affects the other every day. This film is first-rate tribute; it’s visceral, I realise -- both clichés for compliments. Nothing more appropriate comes to mind."

Anupama Chopra of NDTV gave the film 3 stars,stating, "If you are willing to have patience, Dhobi Ghat comes together nicely. It has a poetry and melancholy that stays with you."