Khuda Haafiz

Khuda Haafiz (2020) : Movie Review -

From the trailer i had no expectations for the film because the story looked outdated and overall gesture was also looking like old school method. Surprisingly it begun on overwhelming note as there were so many scenes which got high class treatment despite the low level writing. Those old methods were getting new shape and new operational stuff which i enjoyed with shocking yet pleasant feel. However, the happiness didn't last for long and towards the end it went down typically with the same old school methods. Something gone terribly wrong in pre-climax to set the order for outdated climax and the entire second half pulled down the Brilliant Impact created by the First Half.

Khuda Haafiz storyline doesn't offer anything new but whatever cliche plot it had was still enough to be called a decent plot. During the recession a husband and a wife decide to fly off to foreign country to get a job, and then wife gets kidnapped. The husband goes on a risky journey to find her and then what difficulties and challenges he faces is all about Khuda Haafiz. I wasn't much happy with the story already but I was surprised the way it was being told. Unexpectedly they worked on nuances from character study to situations to expressions and to technical support to make them look great. It wasn't like typical action or masala that need a machoism from a character of an average man. He had to look helpless in that less known country and he was Helpless unlike other mainstream film where hero would fight the goons and find a way to fool entire judiciary system just so easily. He had to struggle and he struggled, that's the best part.

Finally i saw Vidyut Jammwal doing something realistic out of mega action sequences and i loved it. He couldn't resist though, they kept action but firmly on ground level. Shivaleeka used the pauses in accent very well which worked but she got nothing else to do in this small role. Annu Kapoor is great actor i say and his acting skills doesn't fail to put a show. Apparently, his accent sounded different and reliable. The accent part worked for Shiv Pandit and Aahana Kumra too.

Technically Khuda Haafiz hasn't got anything that should be mentioned on high note but just to mention formally the Cinematography, Background Score, Editing everything was on Average level. Director Faruk Kabir impressed me in the first half like i said those nuances in the character study were absolutely brilliant and which are missing in almost every mainstream romace-action film. Unfortunately, in second half it seemed like he forgot his skills, lost finesse and became just another below average minded fella in the industry. Overall, Khuda Haafiz was never supposed to be a great film at first place but i am happy it still came out as decent film. If weak writing can ever get high class treatment then it should be like this. Last 30 minutes were damn too low and snatched all the goodwill of the film but otherwise it was overwhelming. Somehow a one time flick.

RATING - 5/10*

We all know what to expect when we start to watch a Vidyut movie. He and Tiger are the two best action stars right now. He is acrobatic, does his own stunts, performs high octane action with finesse. But forget all of that. Because here he's to show you his acting range. As a romantic lead and desperate husband. I would say he excels at both. I liked him more when he was desperate, frustrated and hopeless. Very believable.

But there is another star at show here and that is ever lovable Annu Kapoor. I don't know why I like his screen presence a lot. He plays a very likeable always helping Pathan. He isn't given much to do other than helping Vidyut, but he still manages to leave a mark.

Watch this movie for these two.

What doesn't work is the story. We have seen rescue and revenge stories a lot of times. Although this one tries to be more realistic and the hero does not beat up 50 guys at once, he fails and falters but there are so many convenient things happening to him without explanation. Script writers try to grab a branch and you'd hope to find a fruit there but there isn't one. It's just a branch. The thrills don't work except for the one in brothel and the ending was so unsatisfying. After all the journey you would hope to get a closure between our two romantic lead who you spend first half n hour build their character and relationship. But they leave you dry in the end.

The music didn't work for me either. But some people might like. The cinematography is top notch. Set design although good, doesn't look lived in. Everything is brand new, the props, carpets, walls, curtains everything is spotless.

I haven't seen Shivaleeka Oberoi anywhere else and she isn't given anything to do here other than fall in love with the hero and get rescued. I hope she gets more screen time in her next project and works harder.

All in all, recommended for one time watch. A strict 6/10 bonus 2 stars for my man Vidyut. You should all subscribe to his YouTube channels he is doing such a good job there.

The film deserves an 8 but i am generous with a 10 cos of Vidyut.

Vidyut Jamwal has become synonymous with action.

After Iko Uwais n Scott Adkins, he is my fav action star.

The film has ample amt of action, gory stabbings, sun soaked settings, decent acting n direction.

It has no hand held shaky cam stuff n no poorly lit scenes.

The brothel action sequence is brutal with lottuva gory stabbings, the teeth scene will make u squirm, the elbow breaking scene is brtual n the villain from Don 2 is intimidating.

Right from the beginning till the end movie Excels at every moment. A well written screenplay and praise worthy performance by Vidyut, Shivalika, Aahana Kumra and Annu ji. Honorable mentioned of the Background Score and Background Music. An excellent movie with such praised worthy performece.

Had this Country Respected genuine talent Vidyut Jammwal would have been the Best Action Hero and The Highest Paid Actor of India. Loved The Movie. Best Part is The Movie didn't unnecessarily insults Indian Embassy and State Machineries which generally Anti India propaganda movies do. So It's a propaganda free Sweet Simple Movie. Action is the Best part and I don't even need to mention it. Loads of Love VJ