Intriguing thriller Cast: Tabu, Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi, Ashish Vidyarthi, Shataf Fiqar, Navnindra Behl, Atul Kulkarni OTT: Netflix R...
Intriguing thriller
Cast: Tabu, Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi, Ashish Vidyarthi, Shataf
Fiqar, Navnindra Behl, Atul Kulkarni
OTT: Netflix
Rating:3*
Director Vishal Bharadwaj’s film is based on Amar Bhushan’s book ‘Escape to Nowhere’ and hence the story becomes the hero of the film making it so arresting. He executes the film well and the way certain characters do a volte-face is praiseworthy. Yes, there is some confusion as it becomes difficult for the viewers at times to fathom whether it is the present or a flashback. The climax too is not as gripping as the rest of the film.
Khufiya begins with the elimination of a spy Heena Rehman (a
wonderful Azmeri Haque) by Bangladeshi minister Brigadier Mirza (Shataf Fiqar
who appears at the beginning and the end of the film). Heena had offered to spy
in exchange for money for the treatment of her cancer-stricken father. She
contacts Krishna Mehra aka KM (a super restraint Tabu) who is working for the Research
& Analysis Wing (R&AW). KM agrees and in the process, both fall in love.
But unknown to KM, Heena is sent on a secret mission to Bangladesh where she
gets killed. A few months later KM’s boss Jeev (a decent Ashish Vidyarthi) learns
that Ravi Mohan (a good Ali Fazal) also an employee of R&AW is the
informant behind the killing of Heena. KM is made a part of Operation Brutus to
catch Ravi. Her team bugs the office and home of Ravi and it is here that KM
learns about the bond between Ravi and his wife Charu (a superb Wamiqa Gabbi)
and his mother Lalita (a brilliant Navnindra Behl). It is only a matter of time
before she also figures out who Ravi is working for actually.
Atul Kulkarni in a special appearance is adorable as Shashank
the caring ex-husband of KM. As Yaar Jogiya, Rahul Ram is tops. Alexx O’Neil,
Priyanka Setia, and Shashi Bhushan are okay in their respective parts.
Another worthy mention is the RD Burman songs from the film
Jawani Diwani to which we see Wamiqa’s exuberant & no-hold barred dancing. The
background score by Vishal has a retro feel, adding to the thrills.
The plot and performances are what hold the nearly 160-minute film
together making Khufiya a compelling watch.
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