Khamosh

Vidhu Vinod Chopra has created a very Hitchcockian thriller. I liked the idea that the whodunnit story takes place among a films cast and crew as they are shooting on location. Chopra's reference to films like 'The Godfather' and 'Psycho' were quite funny. 'Khamosh' isn't as much a thriller as there's a lot of humour.

While a few of it is unintentional, there's also plenty of satire. I especially enjoyed the humour that took place in the shooting scenes. For instance, the sequence where Shabana delivers her dialogue to Amol while lifeless hand keeps bumping on her foot and she's completely unaware of it.

Some sequences were out of place and it appears as though Chopra just put them in for the sake of thrills. One such example is the scene where Shabana finds a drenched in blood dead chicken in her bed. It's also very easy to figure out that the lead suspects were not the actual murderers and after some time one can easily figure out who it is. Plot holes are also apparent. For example, why would Shabana go to the houseboat all by herself at night when there's a murderer on the loose?

At the same time, it's great to watch such an excellent group of actors work together and I was interested in how the director would choose to conclude the film. Pankaj Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Amol Palekar are first rate. Azmi plays the Hitchcockian heroine with class and poise. Shah does a fine job as the fiery detective determined to solve the case. Palekar is cast against type and he is superb even though he has limited screen time. Soni Razdan does a decent job while the rest of the cast range from average to bad.

Overall, 'Khamosh' may not be an out and about thriller it tries to be but it's entertaining nonetheless and I think it even has good repeat value.

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.

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.

What worked: One of the aspects of the movie that stood out was the very balanced and thrilling screenplay that stayed up to its mark making it a very fine murder mystery. Also, the mood and the climate of the movie is preserved by the satisfying execution so the whole team needs the praise. The ensemble casts appealed the movie lovers as this movie included many veteran actors with their respective roles. The movie was able to capture the attention with its interesting plot twists multiple times but also keeping the balance with the thrills and multiple possibilities. Another exciting aspect of the movie is the atmosphere the movie created with a narrative depicting a movie within a movie. Overall, a very satisfying watch.

What did not work: One of the weak aspects of the movie has to be the technical aspect involving the sound mixing and cinematography. This movie is a very fine piece of work and it would have been a even finer movie if the movie had exceeded the technical aspect, which is to say this movie could have been presented very beautifully if done today Final verdict: recommended