‘Khel Khel Mein’ Review: Akshay Kumar shines in this game of love and betrayal

Filmmaker Mudassar Aziz’s ‘Khel Khel Mein’ is a desi adaptation of the 2016 Italian comedy-drama, ‘Perfect Strangers’.

What makes ‘Khel Khel Mein’ different from the original film is the colourful cast, lead by Akshay Kumar who gives the film its most comic moments.

For an actor labelled ‘Khiladi Kumar’, it is incredibly satisfying to see him excel at a genre like comedy that he seems to have a natural flair for. The film also stars Taapsee Pannu, who finally breaks her serious mould and makes us want to tell her to fetch more comedy scripts.

‘Khel Khel Mein’ is a tale of trust, belief, love and betrayal. The film revolves around the idea of surrendering your phones to your better halves in the hope that you don’t have anything to hide. Akshay is paired with Vaani Kapoor, Ammy Virk with Taapsee Pannu and Aditya Seal, with Pragya Jaiswal.

It’s a story of three couples who land up at a wedding. They also have a bachelor friend played by Fardeen Khan, who has been cast in a completely unexpected role. As a part of a twisted game, these characters offer to keep their phones on a table with the condition that they will be transparent with every call or message that comes their way. If they have nothing to hide, they don’t need to worry. But worry they must, because there is more than what meets the eye on the surface. Beneath their veiled smiles and disguised greetings, are secrets that are simmering at the surface, waiting to break out.

The premise of ‘Khel Khel Mein’ is engaging. But what makes it watchable is the way Mudassar made the characters’ fears, worries and insecurities relatable. The first half is lazy and takes its own sweet time to give us the backstories of these characters. Some of these stories are engaging. Others, quite boring.

Fortunately, the topics that the film highlights don’t limit themselves to the four walls of a marital setup. Mudassar brings in subjects like sexuality, and abusive work relationships, and handles it sensitively.

Akshay puts his charm on and gives you fleeting glimpses of his performances in ‘Welcome’ and ‘Hera Pheri’. Taapsee is superb as the timid Punjabi homemaker who lets loose when she is faced with an odd situation. Fardeen has a totally different role which he aces beautifully. Vaani and Pragya are good, while Aditya and Ammy get a few juicy scenes to make the most of.

‘Khel Khel Mein’ is a watchable family entertainer with a message. If you are looking for a clean comedy that doesn’t rely on double-meaning and innuendo-laden one-liners, this is the ticket to buy this Independence Day.