Rajkummar Rao’s latest dark comedy, Toaster, has landed on Netflix India, and it took no time in sparking a massive wave of chatter across review platforms and social media.
While the film arrived with high expectations, marking the debut project of Rao’s own production house, Kampa Films, the early verdict from the audience is a mixed bag, leaning toward the chilly side. Fans seem divided on whether this dark comedy is a “zabar-toast” entertainer or just a burnt piece of bread.
Although viewers seem to agree on one thing, and it is the stellar supporting cast. Sanya Malhotra, playing Shilpa, has been widely praised for bringing a much-needed spark to a script that many feel is sketchy.
Equally impressive is Abhishek Banerjee, who delivers a fun, chaotic performance that has become his trademark. A noticeable section of the viewers also believes that Banerjee has outperformed the leading man, Rao.
Along with veteran actors like Seema Pahwa and a quirky cameo by Farah Khan, the ensemble is being hailed as the film’s saving grace. Many fans feel these actors did the heavy lifting, keeping the momentum alive even when the plot began to sag.
The biggest point of contention remains the leading man himself. Rajkummar Rao plays Ramakant, a man so pathologically stingy that he risks his life to reclaim a wedding gift after the ceremony is cancelled. While some viewers found his portrayal effortless and anchored, a significant portion of the audience is feeling the “Rao fatigue.”
Many feel Rajkummar is stuck in a loop of playing the “typical middle-class loser” or the relatable, quirky small-town man, and this scenario makes his performance in Toaster feel recycled or rehearsed.
The movie’s tone has also split the room. To its supporters, Toaster is a lean, mean dark comedy that balances absurdity with menace. To its detractors, it is a complete cringe comedy that drags a thin joke far beyond its limits.
Toaster seems to be a film that almost works. For now, it remains a curious experiment that shows Rajkummar Rao is still a dependable performer, even if the audience is starting to ask for a change of pace. It is turning out to be a toast that has plenty of black spots on its edges. Stay tuned for more updates.
Here are some of the early reactions from the viewers to Toaster on Netflix India.
15 minutes of #Toaster on Netflix and m done… boring film…
— . (@Raj_Vikram_S) April 15, 2026
Rajkumar Rao ka new movie Toaster on Netflix is a good one time watch,makes you laugh here and there
— The_Yuvi (@TheYuvi3) April 15, 2026
@NetflixIndia @netflix India needs to fire their producers or whoever selects the films what they should produce.
Of late most original Netflix India movies have terrible plots & poor scripts – Toaster is a recent example. Even their offerings from bollywood is also below par.
— Partha Basu (@ParthaB67224) April 15, 2026
A promising dark comedy that never quite lands—Toaster ends up being more chaotic and cringe than clever, with weak writing and missed potential. #Toaster pic.twitter.com/Cke9dZ78us
— Neeti Roy (@neetiroy) April 15, 2026
#SanyaMalhotra in #Toaster is too good…her role is well etched and she enhances it with her performance. Looking forward to #SundarPoonam and all her future ventures… pic.twitter.com/JP24SIJCoj
— Fenil Seta (@fenil_seta) April 15, 2026
Unpredictable, entertaining and effortlessly fun — #AbhishekBanerjee is a whole vibe in #Toaster pic.twitter.com/wnEijwNB1C
— Amar Singh Rathore (@amarsr_1990) April 15, 2026
Can someone send an annual supply of DESI GHEE to @RajkummarRao so that he stops exploiting the issue & accept relatable roles? #Toaster is Cringe.
This is not Cinema. No one in today’s generation gets down to this level. Imaginative! Ok! Entertaining? NO pic.twitter.com/9y6nDgIf7H— Pooja Rathi (@poojadahiya1874) April 15, 2026
Quirky, engaging and absolutely entertaining, Loved Abhishek Banerjee in Toaster ✨ pic.twitter.com/Mi53NKpGrZ
— Sonali Naik (@oneanonlysonali) April 15, 2026
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