Warning: Since I loved this film my review is very long. Please forgive me; but once I started I couldn’t stop!
Raj Kumar Santoshi is famed for his hard-hitting masterpieces. His directorial abilities range from a socially relevant Damini to a historically relevant The Legend Of Bhagat Singh; from a romantic Pukar set in an army backdrop to a powerfully emotional Lajja about the age-old problems women face in the society; from the classic comedy Andaz Apna Apna to a poignant Ghatak. His movies always imbibe applause-worthy dialogues and sterling performances, and almost always include a message to take home and ponder about. A roller-coaster ride filled with some shocking twists and turns, Khakhee adds another feather to his burgeoning cap!
Jab Tak Lahoo Tan Me Bahe Man Me Sada Asha Rahe…..: The Gist
DCP Anant Srivastav (Amitabh Bachchan) is sent on a mission to Chandangarh to capture a terrorist Ansari and transport him to Mumbai. To achieve this, he selects a team of five police officers, which includes himself, Inspector Shekhar (Akshay Khumar) and Sub-Inspector Ashwin (Tushaar Kapoor). It is there that they meet Mahalaxmi (Aishwarya Rai) who, DCP suspects, is in danger and hence tags her along as a security measure.
But there is someone who doesn’t want them to succeed – an intelligent enemy, with no conscience and a hidden personal hatred towards DCP Srivastav. Soon DCP finds out that his faceless enemy is Angre (Ajay Devgan), his ex-colleague and a corrupt cop who was debarred from the police force by him. Angre, always a step ahead, makes Srivastav’s job extremely difficult and discouraging. However, does Angre succeed in defeating his old foe? Moreover, the distraught DCP also figures out that the entire mission was a sham, pieced by politicians and fraudulent cops alongside Angre. Who are these accomplices? Does Srivastav prove his mettle? These questions and more are answered in the three-hour thrill-ride named Khakhee.
Aisa Jadoo Dala Re…..: The Performances
Some trivia:
· Ghayal won Sunny Deol his first, and only, National Award.
· Pukar won Anil Kapoor his first, and only, National Award.
· Ajay Devgan won a National Award for The Legend of Bhagat Singh.
Extracting stellar performances from his star-cast is second nature to RKS! I firmly believe that, during the year of K3Gs and Lagaans, the best female performances were seen in his thought-provoking Lajja. After watching Khakhee I can firmly declare that, in the year of MHNs and Hum Tums, the best male performances are clustered in this movie!
It is impossible, and even pointless, to pick one hero who stole the show. Amitabh, Akshay, Tushaar, Ajay – each hits bull’s eye in their respective roles, and no other actor could have replaced any one of them.
Talent Tho Hai…..Tushaar Kapoor
A month ago, I would have scoffed at anyone who claimed that Tushaar is a good actor! With average looks and zero charisma he is not the ideal candidate for a movie as prestigious as Khakhee. But the insightful RKS looked beyond his looks and star power to see an untapped talent, waiting to bloom.
With Khakhee, one can finally declare that Tushaar – the actor – has arrived. He does a good job as the sincere rookie, Sub-Inspector Ashwin. There is not a single scene in which he overacts, and his voice modulation and expressions are well done. Sometimes, he successfully conveys the deepest emotions – be it sorrow or anger – through silence, which is an achievement for any performer.
Scenes Kapoor excels in:
When he relays the news of his friend’s death to his friend’s wife.
The climax with Angre.
When he explains his desire to quit the force, after completing the Chandangarh Mission, to Inspector Shekhar.
Amazing To Hona Hi Tha……Ajay Devgan
Aamir is known for his perfection, Anil is known for his versatility, Salman is known for his style, Shah is known for his charisma, Sanju Baba is known for his brawn, and so on.
But the actor known for his intensity has to be Ajay Devgan. In Khakhee, RKS exploits this characteristic to the hilt, and shows that Devgan’s intensity is not limited to his eyes. In fact, dark glasses screen his eyes until the climax.
Yet, as the wicked Angre, Ajay displays extreme menace in the most indifferent body language; and transports the deepest hatred through the slightest murmurs. He elicits antagonism from the viewers through the most restrained negative performance I have ever seen.
After watching the movie I was surprised to recall reviews that sidelined his performance, calling it ‘boring’. Well, Bollywood is used to melodramatic villains who scream, “Kutte! Kameene! Teri Duniya Ko Main Aag Laga Doonga”, with pursed lips and a flaring nose to scare the hero; or those who laugh loudly as an evidence of their power and villainy.
On the contrary, subtlety is Angre’s forte. If he wishes to scare Srivastav, he simply plays a recorded tone of Srivastav’s wife and kids, which successfully does the job! He twists his lips into a sardonic smile, which is enough to communicate his wickedness and frighten the viewer.
An intricate understanding of the nuances of the character and utmost control over the performance is required to play the part of Angre to perfection. And who better than the passionate Devgan! He excels in every scene, adeptly enacting the cold-blooded, selfish Angre. It is a shame that critics, who prefer dramatic acting to a refined performance, overlook the best negative performance of the year.
Scenes Devgan excels in:
With his friend, his friend’s wife and kids just before their house explodes.
Each time he calls DCP Srivastav to scare him!
His last tryst with Mahalaxmi.
The encounter between DCP and Angre after DCP finds out his colleagues ugly truth!
With DCP, and the two constables in the house, when he asks them to slap DCP. The consequent monologue.
Angre’s last encounter with Inspector Shekhar.
The pre-climax, in front of the courthouse.
(Continued in the comments section.........)