Are all relationships exactly what they seem? Is every married couple really happy in their married life? Can there be a marriage without compromise and adjustment? Is every friendship true? Are there no differences between best friends? Is love and friendship based on a solid foundation of trust and selflessness? Could the person you think is closest to you actually be hiding behind a mask?
Khel Khel Mein, the indigenous adaptation of the Italian comedy-drama “Perfect Strangers”, explores these questions. The film revolves around a group of friends who get together for a wedding and decide to play a game in which, for one night, everyone in the room can open their phones and see. What begins as a lighthearted game soon turns into an emotional journey that transcends humor and sarcasm. The film deeply discusses the intricacies, nuances and complexities of relationships. Let’s take a closer look at how effectively the story and the actors’ performances convey these themes.
Story: In Salt and Pepper Look, Akshay Kumar plays Rishabh, a plastic surgeon whose wife Varthika (Vani Kapoor) gives him an ultimatum. If their marriage does not last even three months, she will divorce him. Rishabh, a habitual liar, wears out Varthika’s patience with his deceitful behavior. The couple goes to Varthika’s sister’s wedding, where they meet their friends. Harpreet Kaur (Taapsee Pannu) is pressured by her mother-in-law to have a child, while her husband Harpreet Singh (Amy Virk) suffers from low sperm count.
Aditya Seal plays Samar, who works in the company of his wife Naina’s (Pragya Jaiswal) father. Samar faces sexual harassment and blackmail at work, while Naina remains depressed after a road accident. Each character hides their core issues behind appearances, and despite the lack of bold scenes and double entendres, the comedy is solid throughout. As the story progresses, each mystery deepens, leading to a happy ending. The film openly deals with themes of relationships and sexuality.
Also Read: Stree 2 Review: The Movie Is A Blockbuster With A Strong Story, Great Performances
Acting:Akshay Kumar, known as the king of comedy, has returned to comedy roles after staying away from biopics and his comeback has left a strong impression. He is completely immersed in his character, which has great depth and remains shrouded in mystery till the end. In a particularly touching scene with his on-screen daughter, Akshay highlights real issues, encouraging parents to have an open conversation with their children about sex education and the dangers of teenage pregnancy.
As in ‘Bad News’, Amy Virk once again shines in the cast, showing ease in her role. His character is important to the story, second only to Akshay Kumar. His chemistry with Taapsee Pannu, who gives a great performance as a fierce desi Punjabi girl, is a laugh out loud. Taapsee as always impresses with her acting.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya Dating British Singer Jasmine Walia After Divorce From Natasa Stankovic! Are both vacationing in the same hotel?
His ability to create laughter even when his character is in crisis is remarkable. Fardeen Khan brings complexity to his level role with admirable bravery. Pragya Jaiswal and Aditya Seal have also given strong performances. However, Vaani Kapoor’s role is weak. Although his acting is good, his character lacks the required impact, weak dialogues and emotional scenes fail to show his full potential.
Direction: Mudassar Aziz’s direction has created a wonderful masala film that will make you laugh out loud. The film effectively forces you to accept sayings like “men lie” and “women are suspicious”, which shows the director’s accuracy. The screenplay is tight and engaging, avoiding any dull moments, and the punchy dialogue enhances the comic timing.
There are only a few songs in the film that fit the context perfectly. Amidst humor and jokes, Mudassar Aziz has well addressed various social issues. Despite some minor flaws, they can be easily overlooked.
Why watch the movie:
‘Khel Khel Mein’ tackles many serious issues with humor, making it a watchable film. If you want to watch a good movie this week, don’t miss this one. Akshay Kumar’s team is dedicated to providing great entertainment. We give this movie 3.5 stars.
