Khakee is one of those movies, which try to portray reality. And, to an extent, they are successful too, but surely not entirely. Same has happened in Khakee. It has left questions in my mind. You can say I am being paranoid. But then let it be. Let me see if you can find an answer. Please read on;
The movie is undoubtedly well made. “Big B” has made it pretty clear. The message is “I am here to stay, match me if you can.” Well, it doesn’t look like anybody can, for a good time to come. He has acted as if the role was designed for him. The ease with which he has played the role is just about perfect. His performance has been especially commendable in the sequences where he had to make good big speeches to influence people. The way he spoke is what we call assertiveness without being aggressive, a lesson or two for the presenters, lawyers, managers etc. But, surely he is not the only one who has performed; Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan, Tushar Kapoor, and Ash, all have been impressive. Ash, as always, has been a treat to watch. I think she is one actress, who can take a movie just by her looks. However, she had a better job to do in the movie. A not so pleasant surprise, but a surprise nevertheless! A surprise but!
Talking about the studs – Akshay has been able to make an impact, both by his comedy and action. Tushar has looked just what he was supposed to look, a responsible kid, though a clever one by the end of the movie. Ajay Devgan has challenged Big B quite well, and probably he is the one who can take the crown from him. Only time will tell. Mr Kulkarni has also impressed in his short role in the movie.
Talking about story, as I have already stated, the film is supposed to be portraying reality. Let’s postpone the story for a while and discuss direction first. Raj Kumar Santoshi, it seems, knows how to make a good action movie. He has proved himself in his earlier movies, and so has he done now. Definitely this was an extravagant project and thankfully the direction has not failed. He has been able to keep the movie going very well all through out. The simple storyline has been expressed quite well. Though, the songs look a bit out of sync, but the global harmony is there. Action sequences have been very well picturized, especially the one’s involving encounters between Ajay Devgan and Big B.
Now coming to the story, well the highlight of the story is the contradiction of role, a police officer faces (enlarging the scope, a public servant faces). In this story, Big B faces the same contradiction of role. He has been given a responsibility to dutifully escort a criminal to the court of law. However, in the process, he realizes the real expectation of his patrons, the govt., is to actually get the criminal killed in the way. Here is where the contradiction comes, who is Big B more responsible to? The public, who has given him a code of conduct to follow, or the representative of the public (whom public has elected through a process called democracy!). But, that is not enough; he also knows the fact that the same public, for whom he might be feeling responsible, can actually disown him on a slightest provocation by the representatives of the public. However, since this was fiction, the choice was simple. The duty towards public was more important, the decision being eased by the fact that the so called criminal was actually not a criminal but a prey of the corrupted system. Probably, I would have done the same. So this really doesn’t raise a question in my mind. What raises a question in my mind is the unquestionable faith of Big B in law. Is it practical? After all the law is also an offshoot of the government (Chief Justice of Supreme Court is appointed by the president) so what if the law also fails to provide justice? What if they are also part of the corrupted system (which they have to be if they want to exist)? Is the system always bad? If yes, can this kind of efforts be of any value? What is the value of an individual in the system? Can he do any thing? And, what Tushar does in the end, is that a solution? Or, is there any solution at all? I feel the second half of the movie is a bit impractical, especially when the movie was intended to be realistic.
If I leave the questions aside, the movie is an excellent entertainer. Big B’s presence is enthralling, Akshay’s action and comedy is interesting, Ash’s beauty is mesmerizing, Devgan’s challenge is noticeable, Tushar’s sincerity is appreciable and Kulkarni’s silence is eloquent. Go and enjoy it all!!!