Madgaon Express, released on March 22, 2024, is a gleeful cinematic joyride that barrels onto the screen like a train packed with laughter, heart, and pure unfiltered fun. Marking Kunal Kemmu’s directorial debut, this comedy gem takes a simple premise—three childhood pals finally living their Goa dream—and turns it into a riotous adventure that’s as refreshing as a sea breeze off Madgaon’s coast. Produced by Excel Entertainment, it’s a love letter to friendship and chaos, and it’s hard not to get swept up in its infectious energy.

The trio at the heart of this romp—Dodo (Divyenndu), Pinku (Pratik Gandhi), and Ayush (Avinash Tiwary)—are a delight from the word go. Divyenndu is a comedic firecracker as Dodo, the scheming slacker whose wild ideas spark the film’s madness; his timing is impeccable, turning every misstep into a laugh-out-loud moment. Pratik Gandhi, shedding his Scam 1992 seriousness, shines as Pinku, delivering physical comedy and deadpan zingers with equal flair—his drugged-out dance scene alone is worth the ticket. Avinash Tiwary’s Ayush rounds out the group with a grounded charm, his straight-man coolness the perfect foil to the others’ antics. Together, they’re a three-headed blast of camaraderie, making you wish you were part of their gang.

Kemmu’s script is a treasure trove of clever gags and witty one-liners (“Itne participants hain, sirf humari maut ka lucky draw baki hai!”), and his direction keeps the pace zippy at 144 minutes. The story kicks off with the boys boarding the titular train, only to stumble into a drug-laced mix-up involving gangsters, cops, and a gun-toting fisherwoman, Kanchan Kombdi (Chhaya Kadam, stealing scenes with her swagger). It’s a rollercoaster of mishaps—think Dil Chahta Hai meets The Hangover, with a desi twist—and the film revels in its own silliness, tossing in nods to Excel’s classics like “Sajna Ji Vari Vari” that hit all the nostalgia chords.

The supporting cast adds to the party: Upendra Limaye’s menacing yet hilarious Mendoza Bhai, Nora Fatehi’s sassy Tasha, and a cameo-packed lineup that keeps the surprises coming. Visually, it’s a treat—Jishnu Bhattacharjee’s cinematography captures Goa’s sun-soaked chaos, while Mithoon and Ankur Tewari’s soundtrack, with bangers like “Baby Bring It On,” keeps the vibe electric. Sure, the crime angle stretches a bit thin in places, but the sheer fun of it all—cross-dressing shootouts, psychedelic beach raves—makes it easy to forgive.

Madgaon Express is a blast of fresh air in a Bollywood landscape heavy with biopics and actioners. It’s not trying to change the world—just give you a good time—and it succeeds with flying colors. I’d give it a hearty 3.5 out of 5 stars: a side-splitting joyride that reminds you why movies with friends, for friends, are the best kind. Hop on board—you won’t want to get off!