Review
During her sister’s extravagant wedding in Jaipur, writer Vartika (Vaani Kapoor) introduces a twisted game, which sets off a chain of events that are both hilarious and deeply emotional. As the game unfolds, hidden secrets among the group start to emerge: Rishabh’s (Akshay Kumar) Casanova nature, Kabir’s (Fardeen Khan) personal struggles, the marital issues between Happy (Taapsee Pannu) and Harpreet (Ammy Virk), and the dark past shared by Naina (Pragya Jaiswal) and Samar (Aditya Seal).
Mudassar Aziz’s direction and writing stand out, with an engaging script, a tight screenplay, and emotionally charged dialogues. Rishabh’s phone conversation with his 18-year-old daughter, who wants to spend the night with her boyfriend for the first time, and his heartfelt speech at his sister-in-law’s wedding are particularly touching. The writer-director proves that a movie can be both entertaining and gripping, even if the entire setting is confined to a hotel room’s dining table.
The couples’ introductory scenes follow a familiar template, but once that’s over, the rest of the film, which depicts the evening’s events, keeps you glued to the screen and laughing throughout. While each couple’s story might feel predictable and occasionally clichéd, the actors’ impeccable comic timing and expressions more than makeup for any shortcomings in the plot.
Box Office Collections
The release of Khel Khel Mein was overshadowed by a three-way clash with John Abraham’s Vedaa and the much-hyped Stree 2. With Stree 2 grossing Rs 54 crore, including revenue from previews, Khel Khel Mein struggled, grossing only Rs 5 crore on its opening day, as per Sacnilk’s early figures.
The film’s performance has been underwhelming, marking Akshay Kumar’s third consecutive flop this year after the failures of Sarfira and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Since the pandemic, Akshay has seen only one hit among more than six releases, although Khel Khel Mein did open stronger than some of his recent disappointments like Sarfira and Selfies.
Rating
The film has received a range of ratings from critics. The Times Of India, India Today, and News18 each gave it a solid 3.5 stars out of 5. On the other hand, Times Now rated it 3 stars, and The Indian Express gave it a more modest 2.5 stars.
IMDB: 8.8/10, Critics: 4.3/5
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Duration: 2h 11min
Theatre Release date: 15 August 2024
Original Languages: Hindi
OTT Release date: Na
OTT Platform: Na
Directors: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Ammy Virk, Taapsee Pannu, Vaani Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Aditya Seal, Pragya Jaiswal
Producers: Bhushan Kumar, Krishna Kumar, Vipul D. Shah
