What Is the Story About?
Netflix’s latest Indian Original film ‘Khufiya’ is loosely based on former R&AW chief Amar Bhushan’s spy novel ‘Escape to Nowhere’. Krishna Mehra (Tabu) is a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) agent, who is tasked by her boss (Ashish Vidyarthi), to weed out the mole in the agency (Ali Fazal), along with his handlers. Mehra has a personal axe to grind in the case – to avenge the murder of her protégé Heena (Azmeri Haque Badhon) at the hands of Bangladeshi brigadier Mirza (Shataf Figar).
Khufiya is written by Vishal Bhardwaj and Rohan Narula, and directed by Bhardwaj.
Performances?
Tabu is magnificent as hard-nosed Indian intelligence agent Krishna Mehra. She holds the viewer’s undivided attention whenever she’s on screen. Refined acting chops aside, Tabu’s enigmatic screen presence and the role of a spy are a match made in cinematic heaven. Wamiqa Gabbi is eye-catching as Charu. She excels in her role, holding her own before the mesmerising Tabu in commendable fashion.
Ali Fazal is suitably edgy and high-strung as Ravi Mohan, the spy gone rogue. Ashish Vidyarthi brings his trademark sophistication to his role as Krishna Mehra’s boss, Jeevi. Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon is the surprise package as Heena, the enigmatic spy with grey shades. It’s hard to take your eyes off her in the short but sharp role. Navnindra Behl packs a mean punch as Ravi’s mother Lalita. Atul Kulkarni is spectacular in his cameo as Krishna’s husband, Shashank.
Analysis
On the face of it, Khufiya is the classic slow-burn spy drama that most film enthusiasts go all misty-eyed about. The first few minutes of the movie certainly hint as much. Being a Vishal Bhardwaj creation also compels one to think the best of the movie. But watch further, and you start to realise that it’s far from Bhardwaj’s best works. In fact, Khufiya would easily find a place in the list of Vishal Bhardwaj’s worst works, if such a list ever got made.
After an intriguing, gripping start, Khufiya inexplicably and inexcusably goes all downhill from there. The story is all over the place, jumping timelines, creating confusion and generally being as messy as it can be. The plot is riddled with loopholes that are not just glaring but also laughably amateurish. Uninteresting characters populate the story, while silly sequences abound in glorious technicolor.
In one scene, three vehicles are tailing a bike-borne agent tasked with recovering crucial documents. It would be as clear as day to anyone with even half a brain; but quite bafflingly, the guy has absolutely no clue he’s being followed. Is the CIA so lax in hiring its lackeys?
The writers try to give a forced gravitas to the story but fail abysmally. The second half of the plot moves somewhat into ‘Raazi’ territory, minus the thrill and intrigue. The narrative plods along at a languid pace, throwing up the occasional interesting sequence but sticking to resolute tediousness mostly.
Curiously, in two separate scenes, Bhardwaj exploits the viewer’s voyeuristic tendencies by leveraging Wamiqa Gabbi’s inherent sensuousness in steamy dances on yesteryear Bollywood numbers. Both sequences are delightful to watch.
Also, the hat-tips to Shakespeare in Khufiya are fun. Those who are aware of Vishal Bhardwaj’s filmography know that he’s made a name and career from adapting the Bard’s works into exceptional storytelling on screen. The constant references to Brutus and Portia are his way of acknowledging that aspect of his career. Likewise with the Agatha Christie reference, a cult he’s recently boarded, with his recent ‘Charlie Chopra And The Mystery Of Solang Valley’ on Sony LIV.
All said and done, Khufiya is a strictly average film, watchable only due to the performances of its stellar cast.
Music and Other Departments?
Vishal Bhardwaj’s musical score is average, nothing to write home about. The same goes for Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi’s cinematography and A. Sreekar Prasad’s editing. Both are just about serviceable.
Highlights?
The three female actors – Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi and Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon
Drawbacks?
Messy plot
Glaring loopholes
Tedious storytelling
Did I Enjoy It?
Not much
Will You Recommend It?
Just as a one-time watch, and only for the cast.
Khufiya Movie Review by Binged Bureau