Movie Name: Khufiya
Rating: 🌟 🌟 🌟 ☆ ☆ (2.5/5)
Starring: Tabu, Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Ashish Vidyarthi, Navnindra Behl and Others
Directed by: Vishal Bhardwaj
Cinematography: Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi
Music Score: Vishal Bhardwaj
Editor: A. Sreekar Prasad
Producer: Vishal Bhardwaj, Rekha Bhardwaj
Release Date: 5th October, 2023
Related Links: Trailer
Streaming Link: Netflix
🎬🌟 Khufiya Movie Review 👍 or 👎 🎥🎨
You can recognize a Vishal Bhardwaj film by its distinctive watercolor-like frames. ‘Khufiya,’ adapted from Amar Bhushan’s book ‘Escape to Nowhere,’ boldly asserts at the outset that it draws inspiration from two real-life stories. Let’s dive in to discover what awaits us.
Story Glimpse:
An operative of the Indian spy agency known as R&AW is assigned to track down a mole who is selling defense secrets while grappling with her dual identity as a spy and a lover.
Technical Aspects:
- Casting: Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Azmeri Haque Badhon shine as the film’s core talents, each unique in their own right. Tabu captivates with her enigmatic presence, while Gabbi emerges as a rising star in Vishal Bhardwaj’s projects. Azmeri Haque Badhon excels at creating palpable tension in every scene, leaving a lasting impression.
- Ali Fazal has a few standout moments but struggles with an inconsistent character arc. Ashish Vidyarthi delivers as expected, and Navnindra Behl, while occasionally hammy, adds unintentional humor
- Direction: Vishal Bhardwaj demonstrates his forte once again – crafting a enigmatic tale infused with Shakespearean nuances (even featuring his leading lady engrossed in an Agatha Christie novel in a scene), all tied together with profoundly intimate poetry. Nevertheless, it seems as though Vishal is emulating his earlier works, which possessed a distinct and original voice.
- Music: Gulzar masterfully pens the lyrics ‘Jab tera khayal aata hai mujhe, ashko se vazu karta hoon main’ in ‘Na Hosh Chale,’ a song originally intended for Rangoon but saved for a more fitting purpose. While it surpasses Rangoon’s expectations, I believe Vishal could have saved it for a later release, as its impact doesn’t quite match the haunting beauty of the song. Additionally, a few of Rahul Ram’s songs appear somewhat forced.
- Cinematography: The familiar yet captivating investigation is embraced by Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi’s atmospheric cinematography, adding just the right touch of intrigue to certain sequences.
- Editing: Bringing on A. Sreekar Prasad (known for Talvar and Pataakha) as the editor may not have been the most prudent decision, as the handling of the ‘non-linear’ tone isn’t seamless, and the film could have benefited from trimming a few minutes.
Highlights:
- Stellar Cast: The film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Tabu, Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Azmeri Haque Badhon, who deliver credible performances.
- Source Material: ‘Khufiya’ is adapted from Amar Bhushan’s book ‘Escape to Nowhere’ and draws inspiration from real stories, promising an engaging plot.
Downsides:
- Unfulfilled Potential: Despite its promising premise and cast, ‘Khufiya’ falls short of reaching its full potential, leaving viewers expecting more.
- Lack of Tension: Espionage stories typically thrive on tension, which is notably absent in ‘Khufiya,’ making it feel less gripping than expected.
- Derivative Feel: The film appears to imitate Vishal Bhardwaj’s earlier works, lacking the distinct voice and originality found in his previous films like ‘Haider.’
- Lengthy Runtime: ‘Khufiya’ stretches over 2 hours and 30 minutes, with several scenes that could have been edited to enhance the pacing.
Final Verdict: “Cast Shines, Story Falters“
