Espía a la caza

The movie got released today. Because of Badhon, I was waiting for it be released and finished seeing it just now.

General review: very poor storytelling. No proper introduction of why people are doing what they are doing. We don't know why Ravi is betraying his own country. There was a one liner explanation which definitely isn't enough to describe his motives. Don't know why his mother is helping him. Don't know why Badhon came to Tabu for help or even why she later joined another organization. There were a one liner explanation for some of those and those doesn't help much to understand the reasoning. And the ending climax can't be any poorer.

Overall, expected much from a director like Vishal Bhardwaj, both from storytelling and directional point of view.

Disappointed.

Spy stories involving international agencies and moles is not everyone's cup of tea, Vishal Bharadwaj proves that in Khufiya. The basic story premise is believable and has some substance but not the screenplay which is lethargically paced with the usual tropes of followers through the streets, crude spy cams installed openly in most obvious of the places in suspects houses and expected behaviors and ordinary reveals which makes this a very lukewarm espionage thriller. Tabu also seems to ne jaded though adequate, but Ashish Vidyarthi , the new hero and sub heroines are wasted. Their expressions are pale and does not excite. At the most, 5/10, and that if you used to like Tabu a lot earlier. The story and screenplay need a lot more masala and reality checks to be interesting g like Special Ops etc which were solid thrillers.

So unlike Vishal Bharadwaj. The story and acting is below par. The dialogues are childish. Shows Vishal's clear obsession with Wamiqa, having cast her in another tepid serial Charlie Chopra, something akin to what Ram Gopal Verma did to promote his favorite stone cold actresses and everybody knows where he is now.

Very disappointing.

The dialogues lack the punch that is required. The movie seems to have been directed by a new comer. He would have done a better job.

The director has been able to gather an impressive cast but could not extract what was needed to make this movie a success.

Just avoid this movie.

As mostly observed in Hindi films, somehow they just don't know how to direct the foreign cast, either look overcooked or way too shabby. I'll give it to Khufiya, have managed that aspect pretty well. But that's just about it. It's a pale shadow of a Bharadwaj movie clan, so much so, that even Tabu looks slightly disinterested at times, which is the rarest of rare sights. Such a potent cast, and yet apart from Gabbi, nobody looked remotely scraped in their acting prowess. Gabbi, great in most parts, has surely provided a wider array of emotions, which, understandably looked a tad overwhelming in the second half. Assuming that your attention is still gripped till the interval, it shall be severely tested by the triviality and immaturity of the plot in the latter half. The best scene though belongs to Gabbi and her short dance sequence.

When was the last time you saw Tabu go through an entire film with one expression? (Quite like Bruce Willis in most of his films.) Perhaps never. But there's always a first time.

Khufiya poses an interesting dilemma. From whose point of view does the director, Vishal Bhardwaj, want us to see the film?

The spy who goes rogue The R&AW officer whose personal life is a mess The housewife, literally caught between the devil and the deep blue sea The lady love of the lady The scheming grandmother The ISI who are constantly plotting against us The CIA agents who are there to do something but don't know quite what they are doing.

Or is it about a mole. Not the mole you would find on a person's body, but someone on the inside spilling secrets onto the other side. If by the end of the movie you are successful in finding out the mole, do let the director, and all of us, know.

Vishal Bhardwaj believes in equal opportunity for his entire team - Each member of the cast is wasted - Ali Fazal, Ashish Vidyarthi, Atul Kulkarni and Navnindra Behl as Maaji.

Wamiqa Gabbi is soon becoming the next Radhika Apte with hardworking but stereotypical performances.

One hour into the movie you don't care what happens next.

If you're looking for a mystery thriller then you'll be disappointed. On the other hand, if you want to watch a soulful emotional drama (with moments of unintended comedy, if I may add) then this may be the movie for you.

Consider these.

Wamika Gabbi extolling the virtues of fasting for Karwa Chauth to an American woman while pouring a glass of wine.

When an American woman asks if 'Something fishy is going on?' - the temptation is to answer - 'No! But there's mutton Rogan Josh for the main course.'

Or Tabu telling a CIA agent, 'Seems like you guys are smart only in your movies'. Dear lady, that's a lot better than movies such as this one which are the epitome of being dumb. And, getting dumber with each passing day.

You don't have to take my word. It's at home. And if you've subscribed to the platform then it's free to view. But there may not be many dumber ways to spend 2+ hours of your life than watching this. The decision is yours.