खोया खोया चांद

An excellent movie... wonderfully directed,with excellent characterization, screenplay... The story of a person as he realizes his naivety and attains maturity through the course of his life is depicted through the character of Zafar, the cinema industry of the fifties being an excellent backdrop. One can see how life is dealt with, differently by different persons as we look at the distinct personalities in Nikhat, Zafar and the superstar Prem Kumar. As we are taken through the movie we get a glimpse of the movie industry in the fifties in the perfectly made settings, giving the impression of an excellent classic in the current times.

It is inevitable to bring in the reference of Sudhir Mishra's previous film,"Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi" , when one sits to ponder over KKC's relevance today. Like his previous film, KKC is also set in a bygone era, a time that boasts of being the "golden" age of Indian cinema, HKA was based set in the most turbulent times of Indian politics(well...it's turbulent now too), but both films have struck the right chord as today's audience could identify themselves with those in the films.

Coming to Khoya Khoya Chand....whatever I had gathered from the trailers and reviews of the movie....everything was very discouraging. But after I saw the movie ,I did not get up from my seat for a good few minutes.I agree with most people , who have taken it to be their sole ambition to slander the movie and the filmmaker, that the story has been told many a times before....but I doubt whether it had received such a palpable treatment.

Sudhir Mishra should be solely championed because of the characterization of Zaffar, Nikhat ,Ratanbala ,Shyamol ,Noni Ganguly....But I guess the best one's that of Prem Kumar's. With a stroke of artistic brilliance, Mishra has asserted the fact that, nobody wants to harm anybody-they just want to pursue their own interests, but if you stand in their way, well only a few would spare you to be busted out. That's how the world rotates on give-and-take policy.

The director creates many cinematic moments and the language of the camera is impeccable. The performance are flawless ,to say the least , and every actor- be it the main leads or the supporting cast ,they have done a brilliant job. The scene in which Prem Kumar's engagement is announced , the broken,cheated look on Nikhat and the compassionate look on Ratanbala , who too has been cheated, superbly portrayed by Soha Ali Khan and Sonya Jehan.The flashback scenes of Zaffer's troubled life in Lucknow, the look of shock and despair on Zaffer's face when he returns from London, only to know that His beau Nikhat was married to his best friend as she needed support in the brink of her downfall, Zaffer's father praying for forgiveness , Zaffer caught by Nikhat making love to Ratanbala and the look on their faces, the drunken brawl of Zaffer with Nonida.....I can go on and on and on.

Rajat Kapoor is marvelous as the talented,charming,sly, opportunist, compassionate , wicked(yes , he is the most humane of all characters, neither fully good nor fully bad)superstar and Sonya Jehan is a good find of Mishra's(she only did a "Taj Mahal" before)as the seductive , fussy, actress, cheated again and again in love. Her portrayal of Ratanbala reminded me of the penpicture of the lonely moon in Shelley's "To the Moon",filled with a sense of nihilism. She is the Khoya Khoya Chand in my opinion. Soha has delivered her best performance till date and Shiny like always delivers this time too.Sushmita Mukherjee, Saurabh Shukla and the actor playing Nonida,do justice to their characters but kudos to Vinay Pathak's Shyamol,Zaffer's friend , repenting every moment of his marriage to Nikhat and to see her suffer.Superb.

The impact of the film keeps haunting you for quite sometime. The music resonates in your memory long after you have actually ceased to hear it.And you can still hear someone saying,"Zaffer, Ab To Mauff Kar De Yaar"(forgive me now at least) or "Pata Hain Tum Apne Bap Se Itni Nafrat Kyun Karte Hon??Kyunki Tum Jab Bhi Apne Andar Jhankte Hon To Unhi Kon Paatein Hon"(do you know why do you hate your father so much?because whenever you reflect upon yourself, you find him)

The title "Khoya Khoya Chand" is a song which was sung in a 1950's movie "Kaala Bazaar" by the late Mohd Rafi for Dev Anand. This is an indication that this movie, by Sudhir Mishra is based during that era - 1950's to 1960's. In fact, in a recent interview, he said that this film was his way of paying a tribute to those in that era.

Nikhat, daughter of a well known actress, Sharda, is keen to join the movie industry and does so by learning to dance and catches the eye of the top actor Prem Kumar with whom she falls in love with. She later finds out that he is getting married to someone else, even though he has proclaimed his love for her. This is when script writer Zaffar liberates her from the actor's stranglehold but then events take another turn for Nikhat and she's left alone again.

Soha Ali Khan, sister of Saif Ali Khan and daughter of the legendary actress, who herself was a excellent actress, Sharmila Tagore and also daughter of the famous Cricketing legend, the Nawab of Pataudi, has given an excellent performance in this movie. She, also, looks gorgeous. The other cast include Shiny Ahuja, who has also performed well, Rajat Kapoor,Sushmita Mukherjee and Vinay Pathak. The music director, Shantanu Moitra, has set a very good example of recreating the music style of the 1950's and the 1960's and not to mention the jazz genre in it, which makes the songs worthwhile listening to. Finally, the director, Sudhir Mishra, no doubt has created and directed a speciality movie by recreating the 1950's and 1960's era for the screen. Also what has made this movie interesting are the songs that are being played in the background - many of which were, and still are, most memorable tunes from that era. Soha Ali Khan, recently said that her mother helped her with the dressing for the movie. This is not surprising because Sharmila Tagore was a fashion icon at the time as well being a excellent actress of the 1960's. There were rumours that this movie was based on the romance between Waheeda Rehman and the late Guru Dutt,who was married to the singer, Geeta Dutt and who directed movies such as the classical "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam" and "Pyasa". But the director, in no certain words, has denied this. However, there may be certain parts that some viewers, and especially those of the elder generation, may consider the rumour to be true.

Conclusion: Those who like to watch movies from the 1950's and 1960's - a worthwhile movie to watch and enjoy. But those who do not like such movies, or are not very keen on such genres, may not find it worthwhile.

Sudhir Mishra's 'Khoya Khoya Chand' is his tribute to the classic Hindifilms of the 1950s-1960s which is considered the golden era of Hindi cinema. It takes at the behind the scenes looks in the lives of actors, writers and filmmakers. It's not a voyeuristic satire of any sort and though one might notice the references from the lives of Guru Dutt, Waheeda Rehman, Dev Anand, Madhubala, Meena Kumari and even Hollywood stars like Dorothy Dandridge and Marilyn Monroe. The characters themselves are not based on any specific person. The title is derived from a famous song (of the same title) from the 50's film 'Kaala Bazaar'.

I liked Mishra's attention to detail both as writer and director. The costumes, props, colourful sets, mannerisms of the actors, choreography, the popular classic songs playing in the background and hummed by the actors, contribute very well. The art direction is just superb. Shantanu Moitra, recreates the whimsical jazz style of the 1950's and the 1960's which add to the atmosphere. Cinematography is solid, especially the long shots.

The characters are very well written. Even the supporting characters have a strong presence with little screen time (of course credit goes to the actors as well). Even though the film moves at a slightly slower pace than one prefers, there are several standout moments such as the exchange of glimpse between Nikhat and Ratanbala when Prem Kumar's engagement is announced. Nikhat catching Zaffar red handed with Ratanbala, the bond between Shyamol and Nikhat after Zafar's departure....and many more.

Soha Ali Khan is a bit inconsistent in the beginning but she embraces the character as the film proceeds. Perhaps a more experienced actress would have been more suitable for the role. Nonetheless, this is her best performance after 'Antarmahal'. Shiny Ahuja is brilliant as the tormented Zafar. Rajat Kapoor is a scene stealer. Ditto Sonia Jehan who is wicked, seductive and vulnerable as the sensual Ratanbala. Vinay Pathak is sublime. Sushmita Mukherjee and Saurabh Shukla provide some comic relief.

'Khoya Khoya Chand' was a visual treat for me and seeing current actors in this period piece made me feel as though I too had moved back in time and was watching a movie sometime in the 1960s. It might not be a film that adhere's to everyone's taste but it is a wonderful film to watch.

Khoya Khoya Chand - Its an attempted journey into the film world of 60s when writing was an important aspect of films and many writers became directors of their movies. The ambiance of the 60's film industry is captured rightly to some extent as its all mostly indoors and vintage cars. But the film does not impress and fails to make an impact. The viewer does not relate to the happenings and cannot feel anything for the characters. The story has its plots pointing towards the life of Guru Dutt & Gulzar. The script till the interval seems like pieces joined together. It only gets its grip after the interval but till then the audiences have lost hopes. Its as if we are watching a well made documentary on how the films were made in the 60s and how the artists related in their personal lives. After seeing the flick one is forced to believe that the casting couch existed in the film industry long time back too and everybody had illegitimate relations around them. Performances wise Soha Lai Khan tries her best which shows from her effort but she look too young and immature to play the role. Her act is satisfactory but she lacks the depth demanded by the script. Shiny Ahuja is impressive but gets loud at some places. The best act comes from Saurabh Shukla as the punjabi producer and he looks superb and very enjoyable. The music is good but doesn't have any memorable song. Only the title song scores the highest among the all.

Overall its an average movie with insights on the Indian Film Making System. But surely much more was expected from Sudhir Mishra who gave us "Hazaron Khwaishen Aisee" & "Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin"

Ratings : 2 Stars (Go for it if you want to take a look how films were made in the 60's)