Spy drama is one of the easiest genres to lure an audience into watching a film, but the flip side is that it’s also among the hardest to execute. With Khufiya, things are fine but never quite fall in place.
Khufiya: Plot
Khufiya is a spy thriller based on the novel Escape to Nowhere by Amar Bhushan, a former chief of the Counter Espionage Unit of RAW. The movie follows Krishna Mehra (Tabu), a RAW operative who is assigned to expose a mole in the agency, Ravi (Ali Fazal), who has betrayed an asset in Bangladesh and is working for the Americans. The movie is set in the early 2000s, shortly after the Kargil War, and explores the complex geopolitics of South Asia and the personal lives of the spies.
Khufiya: Performances
The movie boasts of a stellar cast, led by Tabu and Ali Fazal, who deliver nuanced and powerful performances as the protagonist and the antagonist. Tabu portrays the conflicted emotions of a spy who has to balance her duty, love, and family, while Ali Fazal plays the charming and cunning traitor with aplomb. Tabu’s role is not long enough in the film in terms of screen time. Even her character is not well-written and developed, and she does not have enough scenes or dialogues to showcase her range and depth.
Wamiqa Gabbi is a scene-stealer in Khufiya. She gives a stellar performance as a woman who is caught between her love and her suspicion. She portrays the emotions of fear, anger, confusion, and pain with conviction and grace. She also has an amazing arc that shows her transformation from a naive and innocent wife to a strong and courageous woman.
The supporting cast, including Atul Kulkarni, and Azmeri Haque Badhon, also shine in their roles. Ashish Vidyarthi deserves a special mention for giving a convincing and impressive performance as a senior spy who supports and guides Krishna in her mission to expose the mole. He also has some intense and emotional scenes with Tabu, where he shows his loyalty and affection for her.
Khufiya: Analysis
Khufiya is not a typical spy thriller that relies on action sequences and twists. It is more of a character-driven drama that delves into the psychology and morality of espionage. Vishal Bhardwaj, who is known for his mastery over multiple art forms, creates an immersive experience with his direction, writing, and music. He uses poetic imagery, metaphors, and symbolism to convey the themes of loyalty, betrayal, love, and loss. The movie also raises pertinent questions about the role of intelligence agencies, the influence of superpowers, and the cost of national security.
Music and background has been done by Vishal Bhardwaj himself. He has used whistling effect and sarangi in the background score to create an intriguing mood in the film. Older songs have been used very interestingly to capture transformation of Wamiqa’s character while reflecting upheaval inside Tabu’s character.
The cinematography of Khufiya is done by Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi, who captures the mood and atmosphere of the different locations with his lens. It is muted and classy just like the tone of the film.
The editing of Khufiya is done by A. Sreekar Prasad, who is a veteran and award-winning editor in Indian cinema. Edit is a little slow and loses its grip in the plot midway.
Khufiya: Verdict
Khufiya is a soulful and intriguing movie that offers a different perspective on the spy genre. It is not for those who seek fast-paced and thrilling entertainment, but for those who appreciate subtle and layered storytelling. The movie has its flaws, such as a slow pace, a long runtime, and a lack of closure, but it also has its strengths, such as brilliant performances, captivating music, and a haunting mood. Khufiya is a movie that will give you an end but not stay with you long after you watch it. It definitely does not match up to some of Vishal Bhardwaj’s older gems.
Khufiya: Rating
Critics rating: 3/5
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