Vishal Bharadwaj, a writer and filmmaker, is a skilled storyteller whose specialty is presenting suspenseful and intense narratives. And his most recent work Khufiya, partially based on Amar Bhushan’s 2012 novel Escape to Nowhere, doesn’t disappoint (except in a few places). The fictional story is set in the early 2000s, right after the Kargil War, and has all the elements of an espionage thriller. A captivating story of Krishna Mehra, nicknamed KM (Tabu), who is on a quest to bring a traitor agent, Ravi (Ali Fazal), to justice for killing one of her assets in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The novel was written by the former head of RAW’s Counter Espionage Unit, and the film accurately depicts the world of espionage, including message decoding, relaying classified information, bugging workplaces and homes, double-crossing agents, and more.
However, as the plot of Khufiya, starring Tabu, Ali Fazal, and Wamiqa Gabbi, develops, it shifts from being a fast-paced spy thriller to being more of an emotional drama.
Right from the Dhaka sequence to the entire episode of identifying the mole to bugging his residence and the interval block to uncover the true player, the tale flows quickly, and you are halfway through in no time. The climax is equally suspenseful.
Khufiya: What did work?
An assassination, a mole, and a spy. It is well known that the Indian government sends agents to terrorist groups in order to gather vital information that will enable the country to prevent unfavourable situations. The tables are turned by Khufiya. A new story of a double agent working for India’s own intelligence service is introduced.
In the film Khufiya, director Bhradwaj gave significant attention to each of the female characters, including Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon, and Navindra Behl. Therefore, all of them had multiple facets to their characters, not just Tabu. Additionally, all the characters—including Azmeri Haque Badhon, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Navindra Behl—had significant roles and were openly vulnerable.
What didn’t work?
Khufiya fails to live up to its full potential despite its intriguing premise and talented cast, leaving viewers wanting more. The narrative lacks energy and tension. Khufiya lacks the intensity that espionage thrillers frequently rely on, which makes it less engrossing than one might anticipate.
The movie lacks the distinctive voice and creativity present in Vishal Bhardwaj’s earlier works, such as “Haider,” and appears to copy them.
There are certain aspects that are unexplored. What is Ravi’s mother’s background, besides being the wife of a former Indian Army commander who is now a specialist in arms negotiations? How and why does Ravi’s mother encourage her son to cheat his country? What is Ravi’s job profile apart from taking the photocopies? What is the real motive behind cheating his country – money or something else? There was room for improvement in the angel’s depiction of Tabu and her lover (an asset). There are so many different levels to delve into that a full-fledged web series may have worked better than a full-length movie in this case.
In an otherwise somewhat boring performance, Fazal has a few scenes that are commendable. Due to the inconsistent character sketch, the range from being normal to manic is warped.
“Khufiya” lasts for more than 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a number of scenes that may have been cut to enhance the flow.
Illogical time lines
In Khufiya, the timelines are also perplexing and frequently demand the audience’s willing suspension of disbelief. In six months, Charu (Wamiqa Gabbi) is able to not only find an R&AW agent with ease but also secure a career as a spy in order to capture her spouse despite having been shot in the head (apparently, considering her post-shooting haircut). Really? It just takes a year for a housewife to become a top spy. Additionally, the spies—both Indian and American—appear fairly careless and take risks that would have cost them their careers. Which electricity provider sends six employees to inspect a single-metre box?
Is it worth watching?
Khufia needed better handling and more discerning direction. It seems to be a story told hastily to pass the time. So, if you are looking for something intense with a solid narrative, you can skip this movie. There are way too many flaws with the plot, particularly in the final scene where Brigadier Mirza and the CIA’s Dr. David White (Alexx O’Neil) and his wife were served by Rogan Josh. Even an insane person might detect a plot based on the behaviour of Charu, her mother, and Ravi.
A one time watch kind of a movie. But if you are a fan of Vishal Bhardwaj, though, don’t have great expectations for the movie.
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