MOVIE REVIEW March 2004
Khakee
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai, Tusshar Kapoor
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Music Director: Ram Sampat
A commentary on the rot that has set in the police force, along with all that is right too, is deftly packaged with substantial entertainment in Khakee. Another good thing about this cop drama is that it doesn't ape any specific film from the West and is as original as they come. Rajkumar Santoshi and Sridhar Raghavan's screenplay is a treat for anyone who views films as a medium for both art and entertainment.
The ageing and asthamatic DCP, Anant Srivastava ( Amitabh Bachchan ) suddenly finds himself in charge of a crucial assignment. He is backed by the unscrupulous Shekhar (Akshay Kumar) and the idealistic rookie (Tusshar Kapoor). The trio, along with two constables must escort the most-wanted suspected ISI agent Iqbal Ansari (Atul Kulkarni) safely to Mumbai. But what starts off as a routine mission ends soon turns into a nightmare. The film is full of many twists and turns, but not so many that the plot becomes difficult to follow. The subplots - and there are several - are as well developed as the main story.
Aishwarya Rai looks ravishing as ever and proves, quite literally, that looks can kill! Ajay Devgan is good but his understated style (wooden face, dark glasses et al), is getting to be a bit hackneyed. He must quickly reinvent himself. Tusshar Kapoor comes as a very pleasant surprise. His innocent looks give the character amazing depth.
Apart from two clumsily placed duets, there is no place for humbug in Khakee. Cinematography by K.V. Anand is excellent. Action sequences by Tinu Verma are outstanding and one of the film's major assets.
So go watch the men in khakee!
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