Khamosh

Vidhu Vinod Chopra wrote and directed a great suspenseful mystery worth seeing. The movie moves along well, with great acting. The cinematography was superb, especially during the chase scene. The characters were well developed and this movie had me on the edge of the seat trying to figure out who was behind all the murders.

I found this movie happily after watching "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.", another great movie based on Chopra's writing. Although this movie is far different, the plot is superb. The shower scenario was a surprise treat.

Again, with finding another treat coming out of Bollywood, I am so glad for the internet and this site for allowing me to find and buy movies from other parts of the world. This is one that should definitely be seen by those who love suspense and film noir movies. It is a story worth having been done by Hitchcock, but Chopra did a worthy job of not only penning this plot but bringing it to life for all to see. Don't pass up wonderful movies from other countries. There are gems like this to be found out there.

Having heard comments from a few friends and users that this movie is the best thriller from Hindi movies, I was curious to watch it. Other reason was the plethora of star cast which had names like Pankaj Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Amol Palekar. But when I watched, sadly the thriller part was missing. Many of the suspects ham so much and have very clear objectives that you get a feeling that they are not the actual murderers and most likely the one not amongst them is the culprit. Mystery was not that good and I am saying that despite of not watching any other language movie from which this movie could have been inspired.

What stands apart and as an appreciation is the performance of the investigating CBI officer by Naseeruddin Shah. Right from his entry the eyes, facial expressions and body language depict that he is not taking this murder just as any CBI officer's routine investigation. The way he tries to investigate the murder is shown very well and seems realistic. No wonder that Sir Naseer is the best actor ever to come from India.

Rest of the cast(names I mentioned in my first para) do play their part with full honesty especially Pankaj Kapoor. Direction wise the movie is OK but some elements like the shooting of the rape scene really does not fit in the actual plot. At some places the comedy seems to be forced and puts a dilemma as whether viewers should chuckle or see the tragedy which goes on in a movie shooting.

Overall, watch it once and get engrossed at the first time. Need not have a repeat view to enjoy the mystery part.

Khamosh being a murder mystery it had a bit too many people in the movie, at least known B-grade actors. Naseeruddin Shah's hype as a good actor fell flat for the umpteenth time in his career. He can be rated as a poor actor, his role could have been played better by Om Puri who looks more strict. Amol Palekar as usual towers among the the other cast of the movie, he delivers sensible dialogues & is an integral part of the storyline. His expressions were of a shaken man is what a movie goer can carry with himself when a person gets fixed in an incident like in the movie. Realistic expressions make an actor worth taking note of and the movie worth watching. Khamosh is a must watch for suspense thriller fans.

Undoubtedly this is the best suspense movie of Bollywood so far(in my view). It has everything that is needed for a good movie interesting plot,good execution,engaging background score,powerful performances and most importantly unpredictable story

Khamosh is a rare gem in the landscape of Indian cinema - a slow-burn mystery that feels grounded, intelligent, and far ahead of its time. What made it stand out for me was its ability to build genuine tension without relying on gimmicks. The suspense simmers gradually, keeping you hooked with the feeling that anyone could be the killer. And when the reveal comes, it's surprising yet believable - not flashy or over-engineered, but smartly executed.

Unlike many thrillers that try too hard to outwit the audience, Khamosh stays grounded. It doesn't indulge in melodrama or excessive twists. Instead, it leans into its eerie setting, sharp performances, and subtle storytelling to deliver a mystery that feels refreshingly real.

The only downside is the production quality - which, understandably for the time and budget, wasn't great. The print I watched wasn't the best either, which slightly took away from the experience. There's also one minor twist that felt a bit too convenient, but it's forgivable given how well the rest of the story holds up.

Overall, Khamosh is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys understated thrillers. It remains one of the very few Indian films of its era that dared to slow down and let the mystery breathe - and it does so with remarkable restraint and intelligence.