BOLLYWOOD
Khel Khel Mein marks the much-needed return of Akshay Kumar in a genre he aces - comedy. The film is now streaming on Netflix.
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan, Ammy Virk, Vaani Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu, Aditya Seal, Pragya Jaiswal
Where to watch: Now streaming on Netflix
Rating: 4 stars
A group of friends reunite to attend a wedding and decide to play a game where their phone would no longer be their private property. It would be accessible to everyone present in the room. What follows is a series of revelations and confrontations that make Khel Khel Mein a brilliant example of how to balance a comedy with tearjerking emotional drama.
Khel Khel Mein marks the much-needed return of Akshay Kumar in the comedy genre. Writer-director Mudassar Aziz deserves a lot of appreciation for remaking one of the most remade films, the Italian comedy-drama Perfect Strangers, and yet managing to give it a fresh feel. He also perfectly balances drama and comedy throughout the movie, utilising the ensemble star cast, and not making it an Akki show all the way.
From the first scene, we are taken back to the good old days when Akshay would bring the house down with his witty charm and impressive one-liners. The writing is crisp here, wasting no time in the setup. Rishabh Malik (Akshay Kumar), a plastic surgeon and an expert liar is on the verge of losing his wife Vartika Malik (Vaani Kapoor). Harpreet Singh (Ammy Virk) plays an entrepreneur, frustrated with his marital life and timid Punjabi wife Harpreet Kaur (Taapsee Pannu). Kabir (Fardeen Khan), the only bachelor from the pack, also deals with an identity crisis. Everyone is hiding their share of secrets, and dealing with their worst fears. As the story develops, their secrets get unveiled, bringing their worst nightmares to life.
Khel Khel Mein works because of the interesting screenplay. The first half takes time to build up the tension, but there are plenty of one-liners that will keep you laughing throughout. As the movie comes to the interval point, the story takes a dip. You feel the Sach Ka Saamna game gets a little sloppy. But soon, the film gains momentum with some major revelations and impactful dramatic moments. Soon after an emotional confrontation scene between Taapsee and Ammy, his sexuality gets questioned. The transition between such moments and the performances will make you laugh and leave you impressed by the treatment of some sensitive issues.
Akshay's effortless comic timing is thoroughly entertaining. But he is also impressive in a scene where he advises his teenage daughter about sex. Fardeen was a treat to watch, because his character has layers, and he showcased those complex emotions bravely. Ammy Virk has got a far better role than Bad Newz, and he justified his presence in the film. Taapsee was a complete surprise package. She channelised her Punjabiness to the max and gave some of the best moments in the second half. Even debutant Pragya Jaiswal has impressed with Aditya Seal.
The movie does have shortcomings. The screenplay looks dragged in the second half. The music or the songs aren't memorable. The only popular song from the album, Do U Know, plays in the end credits. The film isn't a clean family comedy as there are double-meaning and innuendo-laden one-liners. Apart from that, Khel Khel Mein deserves applause for giving out a laugh-riot that also talks about homosexuality, abusive work relationships, and troubled marriage life sensitively.
The DNA app is now available for download on the Google Play Store. Please download the app and share your feedback with us.
Another massive drug bust: Delhi, Gujarat Police seize cocaine worth Rs 5000 crore
NCP leader Baba Siddique laid to rest with full state honour in Mumbai
NASA Alert! One 170-foot asteroid, accompanied by two smaller ones speeding towards Earth
Khel Khel Mein OTT review: Don't miss this Akshay Kumar laugh riot just because you watched Stree 2
Shraddha Kapoor shines as showstopper in Kalki's silver-embellished lehenga at Lakme Fashion Week
Meet woman who designed bar lounge of Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani's Rs 15000 crore Antilia, she is...
Baba Siddiqui Murder case: Fourth accused arrested, main shooter still...
Consumer watchdog CCPA directs Ola Cabs to offer refund choices, provide auto ride receipts
Nikhil Kumaraswamy: Targeted by ADGP, haunted by legacy
Mahela Jayawardene returns as Mumbai Indians head coach ahead of IPL 2025 retentions
Salman Khan's security tightened after Baba Siddique's assassination
Ratan Tata's influence continues, as this Tata company is set to create new records
Weather update: Delhi temperature drops below 20°C as festive season brings winter chill
What is Y category security cover? Know key details of this protection given to Baba Siddique
Bigg Boss Tamil's Oyiva's private video leaks online, actress says 'next time...'
Pakistan to use same 'bowlers' graveyards' pitch in Multan for second Test against England
Accused in Baba Siddique firing case sent to police custody till Oct 21
Nikhil and Nithin Kamath reveal what's next for Zerodha: 'We really want to be a bank, but...'
Mukesh Ambani gives himself THIS luxury gift for Rs 12620602500, buys India's most expensive...
Amitabh Bachchan buys a brand new BMW i7 luxury electric car, it costs Rs…
'Ratan Tata and his...': Anushka Sharma's cryptic Instagram post leaves netizens guessing
Bigg Boss 18: Mallika Sherawat flirts with Salman Khan, calls him 'India's most eligible bachelor'
Virat Kohli looks dashing as he flaunts his OOTD Mumbai Airport
Jeweller pays tribute to Ratan Tata with a portrait made of 11000 diamonds, video goes viral
'Over the last 3 days...'Ratan Tata's closest aide Shantanu Naidu new post goes viral, check here
Salman Khan struggles to sleep after Baba Siddique shot dead, cancels all meetings
JD Vance ‘feels terrible’ for taking his Hindu wife Usha to church: 'She didn’t sign up for...'
Price of Ratan Tata's watch will leave you shocked, it costs Rs...
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance JioBook becomes cheaper before Diwali, new price is just Rs...
Driverless burning car speeds through Jaipur streets, causes panic, video goes viral
Baba Siddiqui's last Instagram post before he was shot dead was about Ratan Tata, he said...
Mumbai police identifies third shooter involved in Baba Siddique's murder, probe underway
Pumpkin seller hits jackpot, wins Rs 1.2 crore lottery, here's how
Baba Siddique's last rites to be performed with full state honours in Mumbai
Sudha Murty wanted these TWO gifts from Ratan Tata, he gave it to her, they are now kept in...
Elderly man's dangerous train stunt shocks internet, watch viral video
Baba Siddique shot dead: Is Lawrence Bishnoi gang behind NCP leader's murder? Police say...
When Neeraj Chopra met 'a true visionary' Ratan Tata and said...
World's richest man Elon Musk's net worth falls by Rs 124500 crore due to his latest...
'A champion of friendship between...': Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu condoles Ratan Tata's demise
Mukesh Ambani's superhit new Jio annual plan with unlimited 5G data for just Rs...
MBA jobs: 6 career paths to pursue after an MBA degree
Mumbai Police comfort Shantanu Naidu with heartfelt hugs as he grieves Ratan Tata's death, WATCH
Who are largest stakeholders in Tata Sons? Not Ratan Tata, Noel Tata, it is...
Delhi NCR: Ganga water supply to be shut in Noida, Ghaziabad from today for 20 days due to…
iPhone 15 available at just Rs 27,000 on Flipkart's Big Shopping Utsav Sale: How to grab this deal?
Viral video: Crocodile spotted in drain, rescued by forest department in Kanpur, watch
Who was GN Saibaba, ex-DU professor who died months after acquittal in alleged Maoist links case?
Gautam Adani on Ratan Tata's death news: 'Legends like him never fade away...'