Khel Khel Mein

First things first. According to Wikipedia, this is the TWENTY-FOURTH international remake of the Italian Perfetti sconosciuti (Perfect Strangers) - comfortably securing that film's status as the most remade one in history.

This fact is even more remarkable when considering that the Italian original is not some Mussolini-era relic, but a 2016 production - meaning that so far, it saw an average of 3 remakes every single year since release, even if all were in different countries. (And surprisingly, the USA has NOT yet been one of those.) To make things even MORE fun, India apparently already saw THREE films before this one which didn't fully remake Perfetti sconosciuti, but nevertheless had taken enough from it to be considered similar/outright rip-offs (Loudspeaker, 1001 Nunakal (Lies) and 12th Man, if you are counting.)

And yet, the XKCD comic about millions of people being born->coming of age->entering the internet every day without knowing what "everyone" before them thought was common knowledge is true. I had no knowledge of either the Italian original or all the other remakes it had until well after seeing the international screening of this film. Outside of this context, I would say it's a fairly good, perhaps even slightly underrated film. For one thing, the first and best song of the film, Hauli Hauli, is a banger, and I don't think either the original or the other direct remakes of it have anything which matches that.

Admittedly, the opening rather drags as everyone is en route to their relative's/friend's wedding and their conversations are mostly set-up that'll take a while to pay off. Once everyone is finally seated, though, the film both offers competent pacing and good performances and more importantly, it is a lot more mature than you might expect from the premise.

Now, I don't know how much of that maturity might be "borrowed" from the original (the way Speak No Evil remake had obviously taken it caustic mockery of modern status preconceptions from the original) and what had been invented by the screenwriters from scratch, but either way, it works and (to this outsider, at least) seems organic to modern Indian context rather than crudely grafted onto it.

And unlike too many other dramedies like it, the ending feels like the right combination of bittersweet, with the proper acknowledgement of how everyone had been changed by the experience. In all, a pretty good effort.

A Spanish movie Perfect Strangers has been remade in multiple languages, and now comes another remake in Hindi. With zero expectations, Stree 2 released on same day and already knowing the story, I skipped this one in theaters. Having watched it now, I can say I made the right choice.

A group of close friends meets for a wedding and decides to play a game: they must surrender their mobile phones, unlocked, on the table for the night. Any messages, emails, or calls they receive must be read out loud, revealing a Pandora's box of everyone's secrets.

The novelty of the story is lost, as it's such a well-known premise. What remains is the execution. Credit to the makers for attempting to Indianize the content and make it more relatable, but there are many loopholes that can't be overlooked. Strangely, in this version, everyone seems to have an extramarital affair, and the makers couldn't think of any other secret to make things interesting.

Akshay Kumar leads this ensemble cast. He fits the role and delivers a convincing performance. Amusingly, the filmmakers keep reminding us that Akshay is playing his age, offering random justifications to ensure no one questions it. Vaani Kapoor, as his wife, is decent. Taapsee Pannu gets the most interesting character, and she delivers for the most part. Ammy Virk, Aditya Seal, and Pragya Jaiswal are strictly okay, while Fardeen Khan struggles the most, barely managing to perform, reminding us that a famous surname can help revive a career.

The songs are below average and only add to the runtime. The climax is highly clichéd and underwhelming. The group of supposed friends lacks chemistry, making it hard to connect with them. Visually, the film is appealing with its gloss and glamour. The movie touches on important themes like sexual acceptance, but that's as far as it goes. In the end, it feels like the Hindi saying "Raat gayi, baat gayi" - no one seems to care about what transpired by the time the film ends.

Overall, it's a below-average movie with a beautiful cast and good production design. There are a few funny dialogues to make you chuckle, and since it's on OTT with a short runtime, it can be watched on a lazy afternoon.

#pranureviews #KhelKhelMein #KhelKhelMeinReview.

The film is a desi adaptation of the 2016 Italian film *Perfetti Sconosciuti*. Shoutout to director and writer Mudassar Aziz for keeping the proceedings light while exploring themes maturely. The events of the film unfold over a single night, as seven friends party while attending a wedding. The film's important message is that "What goes on within a marriage is never known to any outsider, no matter how much of a third wheel one may be." The story effectively proves this point.

Khel Khel Mein is a light-hearted comedy that effectively blends humor and drama. The film revolves around a group of friends who decide to play a game of truth or dare, leading to a series of hilarious and chaotic situations.

Akshay Kumar delivers a standout performance as the mischievous and unpredictable Rajeev. His chemistry with the rest of the cast, including Taapsee Pannu, Ammy Virk, and Fardeen Khan, is palpable and adds to the film's entertainment value. The supporting cast also contributes significantly to the film's humor and charm.

Cell phones, in fact, become the instrument through which we see the true faces of the seven adults across the table, as they play a game of truth or dare. Each incoming text or call reveals the recipient's fear of the upcoming revelation, and the fallout offers a cathartic release that we don't often see in movies.

The film's biggest strength is its ability to keep the audience engaged with its fast-paced narrative and witty dialogues. The game of truth or dare serves as a catalyst for exploring the character's secrets, fears, and relationships. While the plot may seem predictable at times, the film's execution is enjoyable, thanks to the strong performances and well-timed comedic moments.

Beyond the humor, *Khel Khel Mein* also touches upon deeper themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of honesty. The film's message is delivered in a subtle and unobtrusive manner, making it a satisfying watch for both fans of comedy and those looking for something more substantial.

It's sad that many people in marriages today face infidelity from their partners in some way, whether it's emotional cheating, ogling at other people, or physical relationship with someone else. It's a sad reality for many people.

*Khel Khel Mein* is a fun and entertaining film that offers a good mix of humor and drama. While it may not be a groundbreaking cinematic experience, it's a good addition to the Bollywood comedy genre.

I must confess, I expected a riotous comedic spectacle upon entering, yet what unfolded was a delightful amalgamation of drama and humour.

'Khel Khel Mein' to my surprise, impressively intertwines humor and drama, with the latter predominantly exploring themes of marriage and companionship.

While the comedic elements brought me joy at moments, it was the underlying emotional depth that resonated with me.

Navigating the intricate web of half dozen of characters and their distinctive personality traits is no small feat, and I commend the writing for managing this complexity with such finesse.

Moreover, the balance between severity and the goofiness was commendably achieved, even if some tonal transitions felt a touch abrupt and unsophisticated.

Finally, something good to watch, with just the right mix of tension and humor.

I'm not usually a fan of Indian multi-starrer movies, as they often rely on cheap, vulgar jokes. However, this one was different, the blend, the mixture, the cocktail of elements came together perfectly.

That said, mixing friends with family can often lead to disaster, and the movie revolves around these messy situations, but with plenty of laughs along the way.

Akshay Kumar delivers a solid performance with his signature comic timing, after a series of flops.

This movie is a must-watch for the guys, but a word of advice: watch it alone. And if your significant other has seen it too, maybe clean your phone just in case they get any bright ideas!