Khoya Khoya Chand
- is perhaps one of the few feminine films we see today.It is about a fragile girl’s trials and tribulations.It is about how she breaks down amidst the backdrop of an era of Indian Cinema before it became Bollywood.An era where emotions governed cinema, and was ruled by debauchery and was very incestuous yet deep rooted.
Looking at it holistically, it does not have a story to tell[it has many which perhaps dont come together as well you would like], but is more of a reflection of many lives of that era.When the film begins you see Nikhat(Soha) as Suraiyya and Nargis, then she goes on to be Waheeda and finally ends as Madhubala and Meena Kumari and her affair with Zafar(Shiney) transcends many lives of that era.The film gives us showbiz in all its splendor and sordidness.The showmen become brittle when the lights go on and yet no one quits, because you can check out any time you want from Showbiz but you can never leave.This is a world governed by creative passion, lust and greed.Betrayal, failure, alcoholism and tragedy inevitably follow.
The problem though with it is the inconsistency of the story-telling.With every twist and turn(where each is justified), the film plods because it does not manage to grip you.And because the lead actors share no chemistry whatsoever, there is very little left to appreciate.There are beautiful moments in the film, one like when Nikhat and Zafar throw stones at a Producer’s house as he was the first one to exploit her, where Sudhir Mishra shows his craft.But there are also other quieter moments where the background score/music tells you what to feel instead of you actually feeling it[which is sad as Shantanu Moitra’s best musical score since Parineeta perhaps gets lost in this weak screenplay].And a randomly appearing voice-over which appears off and on tries to make sense of it all, yet in vain.
I doubt whether in the last few years in mainstream cinema anyone has had the kind of character to essay that Soha Ali does in this film[perhaps Vidya Balan in Parineeta comes to mind, but one can argue that it was not as well written as she made it out to be] and whether she will ever get such a character to essay in her career.This is her film from start to finish and she fails to capitalize on it.There is a genuine effort from her side to stay within the limits of the character but the effort shows at times, especially in the second half where there is a complete lack of conviction and nuance from her.This film would have clicked only if she clicked, and she though tries hard but fails to make Nikhat completely beleivable.
Shiney Ahuja is alright as well.Thankfully he quits the high pitchedness of a Bhool bhulaiyaa for a more restrained sadness yet is rather awkward at times.
Soneya Jehan is a discovery.She looks ravishing and does a very fine job.
Cinematography wise the film is top-notch, but the Shiney Ahuja’s shirts do look very contemporary.
But despite all the flaws, I recommend you to give this one a try, because amidst all the formulaic cinema we see today this is a rather heartbreaking montage and yet an indifferent one.Almost like a brutal and seductive unrealized love letter to the business that consumes the lives of those who serve it.