Khel Khel Mein (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – Revolves around a group of friends who gather for a dinner and end up revealing secrets about each other.

My Take – Though this latest star-studded affair borrows its title from a popular 1975 comedy thriller, however in tone and tenor this one is actually quite different. Mainly as it is a remake of a 2016 Italian film Perfetti Sconosciut (Perfect Strangers) which as of today has been remade 28 times all over the world.

But while remakes have forever held a bad rep for killing originality, in the hands of director Mudassar Aziz (Happy Bhag Jayegi, Pati Patni Aur Woh), who co-wrote the film with Sara Bodinar, it delivers what it promised: a hilarious chill time at the cinemas.

Proving a film can be entertaining and engaging even when the set-up is mostly confined to a hotel room’s dining table and is exploring relationships’ complexities, nuances and messiness under the garb of being a comic caper.

Complemented by a competent cast, not only does the script keep the laughs rolling, but also waltzes into some surprisingly poignant territories but with a feather-light touch. Managing to weave in serious topics like infidelity, premarital sex, PTSD, infertility, and acceptance of homosexuality, all while keeping the mood delightfully frothy.

Sure, it has flaws, but its tight direction, and ensemble keeps everything wholly engaging as it switches between laughs and drama. Most importantly, it marks Akshay Kumar’s return to comedy after five years, and the 56 year old manages to be in top form as an incorrigible man who can read a person and convincingly spew white lies. He’s the glue that holds everything in the setting together. Simply told, you exit the theatres with a smile, and sometimes, that’s all one is looking for in a film.

The story follows a group of friends that consists of: a plastic surgeon Rishabh (Akshay Kumar), his novelist second wife Vartika (Vaani Kapoor), a social media influencer Harpreet (Taapsee Pannu), her frustrated car dealer husband Harpreet (Ammy Virk), a brand manager Samar (Aditya Seal), his rich boutique owner wife Naina (Pragya Jaiswal) and a cricket coach Kabir (Fardeen Khan).

Who all arrive in Jaipur to join the marriage celebrations of Vartika’s younger sister. Over the course of the night they hang out in a fancy suite, exchanging juicy gossip and catty comments over appetizers and alcohol.

However, a casual conversation on how a phone brought about the end to a common friend’s marriage compels Vartika to suggest a peculiar game of phones, wherein all seven cell phones are fair game and every single message or call to follow must be received or read out aloud in their combined company.

No sooner the phone rings and the first message arrives, the sneaky personalities of this assorted lot begins to surface and both the game as well as the gang reveals its true colors. Here, director Aziz deftly balances the delicate dance between shining a spotlight on sensitive issues without compromising on the fun or the drama. His film shows the fragile and frustrating side of supposed perfect relationships. Technology plays a role and spoilsport both. A night that was supposed to be dreamy turns nightmarish.

Thankfully, Instead of being a sharp take on hidden demons and infidelity, he chooses to take the comedic route to reach the finish line. Yes, from infidelity and infertility to lack of inclusivity, the causes are time-tested but the way they are ingrained, addressed, and expressed, keeps us in good humor. He doesn’t judge his characters.

He paints them with shades of grey. They’re flawed but not guilty. The talk that Dr. Rishabh gives to his teenage daughter over the phone about physical intimacy being a brilliant highlight.

Performances wise, Akshay Kumar is a delight to watch. It’s been a while since he was so easy and breezy on the eyes and ears. Taapsee Pannu breaks free from her serious actor mold and embraces her role as the social media addict dealing with issues in her marriage due to no children. Vaani Kapoor too gets her moments to shine. Ammy Virk is given plenty to work with and delivers admirably.

Aditya Seal and Pragya Jaiswal, the latter making her Hindi film debut, are both charming and convincing as a couple dealing with a tragedy. Fardeen Khan perhaps gives the best performance of his career yet. We have never seen him this before, and it’s a treat. On the whole, ‘Khel Khel Mein‘ is a fun comedy drama that balances both humor and sensitivity well.