Khufiya is a spy thriller directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, loosely based on the novel Escape To Nowhere by Amar Bhushan. The movie stars Tabu as Krishna Mehra, a RAW agent who is on a mission to expose and capture a mole in the agency, Ravi (Ali Fazal), who has betrayed her and caused the death of her asset in Bangladesh. The movie also features Wamiqa Gabbi as Ravi's wife, Ashish Vidyarthi as Krishna's boss, and Atul Kulkarni as Krishna's ex-husband.
The movie is set in the early 2000s, when India was facing threats from extremist forces in Bangladesh, allegedly backed by Pakistan's ISI and supported by the US. The movie depicts the complex and dangerous world of espionage, where nothing is as it seems and trust is hard to come by. The movie also explores the personal lives of the spies, who have to juggle their dual identities as agents and lovers, and deal with the emotional consequences of their actions.
The movie is a masterclass in storytelling by Bhardwaj, who uses his command over multiple art forms to create an immersive and engaging experience. The movie has a poetic charm, a haunting mood, and a soulful soundtrack that complement the gripping narrative. The movie also has authentic details, facts, and accuracy that make it believable and realistic.
The movie is powered by the brilliant performances of the cast, especially Tabu, who delivers a remarkable portrayal of a sharp, ruthless, and conflicted spy.
She carries the movie on her shoulders with her nuanced expressions and body language. Ali Fazal is impressive as the charming and mysterious Ravi, who keeps the audience guessing about his motives and loyalties. Wamiqa Gabbi is a revelation as Ravi's wife, who adds softness and strength to the story. Ashish Vidyarthi and Atul Kulkarni are effective in their supporting roles.
The movie is not without its flaws, however. The movie loses its grip in some parts of the second half, where it becomes slow and repetitive. The movie also has some unrealistic and half-baked scenes that dilute the impact of the story. The movie could have been more crisp and tight in its editing and pacing.
Khufiya is a pulpy spy thriller that sometimes runs out of juice, but still manages to be a soulful human drama that will keep you hooked till the end. It is a must-watch for fans of Tabu, Bhardwaj, and spy stories.
Here is a summary of the online reviews I found:
- Most of the online reviews praised Khufiya for its engaging and intriguing story, its authentic depiction of espionage, its poetic charm and mood, its soulful music, and its stellar performances by Tabu, Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi, and others.
- Some of the online reviews criticized Khufiya for its slow and repetitive second half, its unrealistic and half-baked scenes, and its lack of a satisfying climax.
- The online reviews gave Khufiya an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars.