Do watch, but don’t play – Beyond Bollywood

Though a Hindi adaptation of the Italian film Perfect Strangers, this Mudassar Aziz film evokes a sense of desi déjà vu. Taapsee Pannu and Akshay Kumar lead an impressive seven-member cast.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ( 3 / 5)

By Mayur Lookhar

Writer-director Mudassar Aziz’s Khel Khel Mein (2024) borrows its title from Ravi Tandon’s 1975 classic thriller. Interestingly, this story inspired Abbas-Mastan to make Khiladi (1992), earning Akshay Kumar the title Khiladi Kumar. Decades later, Akshay Kumar gets his own Khel Khel Mein, though this time the plot is inspired by a foreign film.

A 27th remake of a successful Italian film, with two Indian (Malayalam) versions already existing, naturally begs the question: Was a Hindi adaptation of Perfect Strangers (2016) necessary?

Given the sheer number of adaptations, common sense might suggest otherwise. However, like many societies, Indians love gossip about others, relishing in others’ apathy and dark secrets. This is why a show like Bigg Boss is hugely popular in India. Perfect Strangers reveals uncomfortable truths among a group, so it’s no surprise that desis would be all ears to the gossip in Khel Khel Mein.

We chose not to watch the original Italian film, but just reading about it, it seems Aziz has retained the core plot, at least the game aspect. There’s a fine line in the film: Indian weddings are never short of drama, making a wedding the perfect backdrop for Khel Khel Mein.

With their relationship going through a rough patch, Dr. Rishabh Malik (Akshay Kumar) and his wife Vartika (Vaani Kapoor) head to a family wedding in Jaipur. Bored with the usual celebrations, Rishabh invites his friends to his suite, where more drinks follow. Vartika suggests a game where everyone must disclose the content of the next message or voice note they receive or put the incoming call on speaker. As the night goes on, these messages and calls reveal uncomfortable truths, threatening relationships and long friendships.

This game has a Sach Ka Saamna (Indian adaptation of The Moment of Truth) feel to it, but the drama that unfolds in Khel Khel Mein is more akin to Bigg Boss (Indian adaptation of Big Brother). It’s uncomfortable but not crass, abusive, or overtly aggressive like in various seasons of Bigg Boss. It wouldn’t be wrong to call Khel Khel Mein the Bigg Boss of Indian cinema. There are tense, critical moments, but the situation is brought under control—not necessarily by wisdom, but by uncovering the full story behind the uncomfortable truths.

After an initial lull period introducing the seven principal characters, Khel Khel Mein truly comes into its own once the group begins playing the strange game. The bitter revelations and ensuing drama entertain the viewer, but Aziz is sensible enough not to rob his characters of their dignity. After each secret tumbles out, there is a brief period of shock and emotional outpouring, but Rishabh and Vartika try to comfort their friends. There is no one really though to comfort Vartika.

Aziz’s relationship dramas thrive on his flawed characters, who challenge societal norms and aren’t afraid to seek love outside marriage. He builds tension, but his signature humour diffuses it. The film acknowledges human flaws. A resolution might not always be found, however, Aziz’s cinema encourages open conversations to prevent aggressive, destructive reactions.

Although it’s a remake of an international film, Aziz’s Khel Khel Mein evokes a certain sense of desi déjà vu. While it’s convenient to portray the uber-rich as immoral, class is immaterial; most of us have something to hide. One may come to terms with the revelations, but towards the end, a certain truth about Rishabh and his kin perhaps justifies lust. Ultimately, who are we to judge Aziz’s characters? We leave that to the audience.

It’s brave of Akshay Kumar to choose a film where he plays a Casanova character, especially given his history with such gossip. Kumar returns as Khiladi Kumar, but instead of action or mind games, he excels at lying. Even if his secret is exposed, Rishabh will defend himself with convincing arguments. He has mastered the art of living a life of lies. Rishabh has a strong and open relationship with his 18-year-old daughter. Despite being a flirtatious husband, he is a feminist father who supports her, as seen when he thoughtfully responds to her request for consent to spend an evening with her boyfriend. This role allows Kumar to showcase his natural, jovial side, marking a welcome return to form for the seasoned actor.

The same goes for Taapsee Pannu. While her talent is evident, Pannu has lacked consistency. Initially, Harpreet (Pannu) and Harpreet (Ammy Virk) come across as Bollywood’s clichéd Sikh couple. They truly come alive when Mr. Harpreet’s moment of truth arrives. As fate would have it, more messages and voice notes only add to Mr. Harpreet’s misery. The comedy of errors sequence lasts about 7-10 minutes. While the two Harpreets are embarrassed, the brilliant performances by Pannu and Ammy Virk have the audience in splits. After the moment passes, Mrs. Harpreet returns drunk and continues to amuse with her antics.

Of all the characters, you empathize with Vartika for what she is going through. Her marriage to Rishabh is on the rocks, and she also struggles to connect with Rishabh’s 18-year-old daughter from his first marriage. Vaani Kapoor has been an enigma in her career, but this is one of her better performances.

Fardeen Khan returned to the limelight earlier this year with Heeramandi. In Khel Khel Mein, Kabir (Khan) is the odd one out, arriving without his girlfriend, which hints at his upcoming personal conflict. Despite this, Fardeen delivers a decent performance.

South actor Pragya Jaiswal makes her Bollywood debut with Khel Khel Mein, and she is a true surprise here. Jaiswal’s character Neha is the daughter of a wealthy businessman, while Samar, or Sam (Aditya Seal), is the ghar jamai. Neha, however, isn’t the nagging wife stereotype. Jaiswal impresses with a confident performance, and Aditya Seal makes his mark with a performance that truly seals the deal.

His stories, screenplay, and characters have their flaws, but Aziz manages to bring out the best in his resources. Technically, the film boasts a rich visual appeal, thanks to the fabulous designs of the hotel setting. Despite a minor obstruction in one frame, cinematographer Manoj Kumar Khatoi effectively showcases the gorgeous interiors. Much of the action is set in the suite’s living room, where Khatoi and his team adeptly convey the various emotions of the principal characters.

Like most Bollywood films today, the playback music hardly makes an impression. With the setting confined to one night and one suite, there was little scope for adding songs unless there was a dream sequence.

Khel Khel Mein features flawed characters and a screenplay with its own shortcomings, but it delivers plenty of entertainment and genuine humor. This black comedy is worth a watch, but play the strange game at your own peril.

Khel Khel Mein (2024) is set to be released in theatres on 15 August.

Watch the video review below.