“Khufiya” Review

Yesterday I watched Vishal Bharadwaj’s new spy thriller “Khufiya” which released on Netflix on 5th Oct. It’s a movie based on a book written by a RA&W agent and in movie the main character has been changed from a male to a female (played by Tabu).

The movie is a decent watch. Lengthy and naive at times, but brilliant in parts. Tabu is just awesome, as always. But for me, the biggest surprise was Wamiqa Gabbi! I saw her for the first time. Vishal Bharadwaj’s adaptation of Agatha Chritie’s novel also released on Netflix recently. Wamiqa Gabbi plays the central detective role in that web series. I haven’t watched it yet, but the reviews were not so great. However, after seeing Wamiqa in Khufiya I’m definitely going to watch that web series too!

In Khufiya, Wamiqa plays wife of a secret agent (Ali Fazal) who has gone rogue. The sequence where she secretly performs at home on an old Hindi classic song is just amazing! The sensuousness of her expressions and body language and Tabu’s reaction to it while watching it remotely via secret cameras is unique – never seen before in Hindi cinema.

There are so many shades and themes in this movie that multiple viewings (in parts) would be required to appreciate the movie. For example, Tabu’s relationship with her ex-husband (Atul Kulkarni) and son, and her relation with her female lover who gets killed. Then there is subtle angle of how Tabu views Wamiqa; it’s not explicit, but I think that angle is there. Wamiqa is very desirable in her portrayal in this movie. Would like to watch more of her work to understand her other shades.

Other supporting actors in the movie are good. The elderly actress who played Ali Fazal’s mother is brilliant!

It could have been a brilliant movie but was let down by few sequences which are very superficial. It’s still brilliant in parts.

Vishal Bharadwaj is a master of characterisation and relationships. This movie is a great example of that! Music is also very good. It deserves a second listening only for appreciating it musically (and not as part of the film).

I would highly recommend this movie for Wamiqa’s and Tabu’s acting, their characterisation and few other good elements. Don’t expect it to be a masterpiece, though. You’ll be disappointed.