So, most of us know that Khoya Khoya Chand is a tribute to the’Golden Years’ of the hindi film industry spanning 2 decades between 1950 and 1970. So what are those’Golden Years’ about?
Story:
Nikhat(Soha Ali Khan) is a dancer who gets a break into the film industry. She falls for the sweet talks of Prem Kumar(Rajay Kapoor), the then reigning superstar and makes many compromises to get a strong foothold in the industry. As chance has it she meets Zafar(Shiney Ahuja), a young budding writer who is trying to get into script writing for feature films. In the years that follow they fall in love gradually but not without Nikhat making compromises all through. Ambitions soar, egos get inflated and love takes a backseat. Spanning over 2 decades Khoya Khoya Chand is a tale of 2 individuals bound by and to the film industry along with its drawbacks.
Performances:
I’m simply wondering if Soha has such talent, why did she do films like Dil Maange More and Shaadi No.1? She stomps over everyone in the film with ease. Absolutely a terrific performance and add to that she looks really pretty. Shiney Ahuja is not bad at all, gets a little overshadowed by Soha. but much better than Bhool Bhulaiyaa.but I maintain what I said earlier(in my Bhool Bhulaiyaa review).the man cannot cry at all. Rajat Kapoor is fantastic as Prem Kumar.the arrogant superstar, the smooth talker, the artiste and the manipulator. Vinay Pathak is superb.he’s got some good lines to deliver. Saurabh Shukla and Soniya Jehan are alright.
What works:
1) Dialogues.more than anything else.a great mix of Urdu and Hindi. Each and every dialogue is a treat to hear. The emotions to be depicted in most scenes would not have been half as good if not for superlative dialogues.
2) Soha Ali Khan.as I said.she’s a talented and pretty. No way this young lady is going to lay low now.the sky is the limit.
3) Lighting is absolutely worth a mention. Infact the first kiss between Soha and Shiney is a special shot all thanks to the lighting. Even otherwise.lighting is really good and of great importance because in many cases it happens to be a’film-in-film’ scene.
4) The two’A’s.Art and Apparel deserve a special mention.no period film can be made to look like the period it is set in unless the sets and costumes are made to perfection. Not much of an experiment for Shiney.but Soha definitely has some real good sarees to parade in.
*What doesn’t:
*I found only one problem.The length of the film being a mere 140 minutes.the film still lacks pace.the proceedings are very slow. The viewer does not feel the hunger to lap up the next scene.
*Good Scenes:
*1) Zafar’s first opinion on Prem Kumar’s script.
2) Confrontation between Prem Kumar and Zafar.
3) When Soha learns that her mother lied to her.
4) Zafar goes to return the signing amount to Noni Ganguli.
*My Verdict:
*Khoya Khoya Chand is Zafar’s best film and perhaps even one of the best from 2007. Highly recommended for people who love realistic cinema. Absolutely not for masala entertainment lovers.