Khakee (2004)
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgun, Aishwarya Rai, Tusshar
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Music: Ram Sampat
Synopsis: -------- 
Reviewed by: Faiz Khan

 

 

Raj Kumar Santoshi has built up an impressive body of work over the years and, whether commercially successful or not, one has to admire the fact that he has consistently attempted different genres and tackled different subjects. More often than not, he has delivered the goods, the only glaring anomaly being the odious China Gate. Right from Ghayal to Andaz Apna Apna, Damini and what must surely rank as his crowning glory, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Santoshi has always preferred exploring fresh territory rather than taking the tried-and-tested route.

Following on the heels of The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Khakee does not break new ground in terms of subject matter, but Santoshi treats familiar material with such assurance that he fashions a riveting thriller which succeeds on almost every level.

The film opens with an attack on police officers attempting to transfer alleged ISI agent Iqbal Ansari (Atul Kulkarni) from Chandangadh to Mumbai. To ensure his safe passage, a new escort team is assembled. It is a wonderfully mismatched group comprising DCP Anant Shrivastava (Amitabh Bachchan), a weary officer on the verge of retirement, more concerned about his daughter's wedding in twelve days than anything else. Shrivastava's police career has been a chequered one, with far more failures than successes to his credit. Now, long past his prime, he sees this assignment as perhaps his final opportunity to leave behind something worthwhile in the police records.

Alongside him is the crooked Senior Inspector Shekhar Verma (Akshay Kumar), a man with few scruples and no hesitation in accepting a bribe if the price is right. Completing the core team is Sub-Inspector Ashwin Apte (Tusshar Kapoor), an idealistic young recruit whose naivety has yet to be eroded by the realities of police life. Two constables round off the escort party.

Once the team reaches Chandangadh, a tense cat-and-mouse game begins with one of the terrorists, Angre (Ajay Devgn), whose whereabouts appear to have been reported by the beautiful Mahalaxmi (Aishwarya Rai). Having become a target herself, she joins the police convoy as they begin the dangerous journey to Mumbai. Before long, it becomes apparent that there is much more at work than a simple terrorist pursuit. Every move made by the team seems known in advance, suggesting that someone within the police force is feeding information to the enemy.

The story develops further through flashback, revealing that Angre was once a corrupt police officer who had been exposed by Shrivastava himself. Angre chillingly tells his former superior that they both work for the same people, only he happens to be paid considerably more. It is one of the film's more telling moments.

As the attacks intensify and the team realises there is a traitor somewhere within the system, they seek refuge in an isolated house where they are surrounded by Angre's men. At this point, the truth surrounding Ansari is finally revealed, transforming the mission entirely. From there onwards, the film twists and turns its way towards an exciting climax. Revealing any more would rob the film of many of its best surprises.

Santoshi is certainly not the first filmmaker to deal with corruption, but he wisely avoids making Khakee simply another lecture on the subject. Instead, he wraps his observations about deceit, betrayal and moral decay inside an engrossing commercial thriller filled with enough twists to keep the audience thoroughly engaged. His direction is taut and confident, rarely allowing the pace to slacken apart from the obligatory songs, all three of which could easily have been dispensed with.

What is particularly refreshing is the way Santoshi presents honesty as something that often goes unrewarded. Shrivastava is an upright man who has followed every rule throughout his career, yet has little to show for it. The film also presents a rather bleak view of society, suggesting that idealism is a luxury and that almost everyone eventually succumbs to some form of corruption, whether moral, financial or political.

Even more pleasing is Santoshi's refusal to indulge in the cheap anti-Pakistan rhetoric that has become so fashionable. Rather than pointing fingers across the border, he reserves his criticism for those occupying positions of power within the system itself, men who conveniently blame external enemies while hiding their own corruption and criminality.

Khakee would not have worked nearly as well without such a uniformly strong cast. Amitabh Bachchan delivers what must rank among the finest performances of his later career. His slightly stooped posture, weary expression and quiet dignity perfectly capture a decent man who has spent his life doing the right thing without ever receiving the recognition he deserves. It is a beautifully restrained performance, and the film would simply not have carried the same emotional weight without him.

Akshay Kumar continues the remarkable improvement he has shown over the past few years. He strikes an excellent balance between humour and pathos, creating a character who is neither outright villain nor comic relief but a believable product of a morally compromised system. It is one of his better performances.

Ajay Devgn is mesmerising as Angre. Gone are the awkward days of his early career. Here he plays the black sheep of the police force with complete conviction, creating a villain who is dangerous, intelligent and ultimately just another pawn in a much larger game.

Tusshar Kapoor also acquits himself very well. His youthful sincerity is perfectly suited to the role of Ashwin Apte, while Aishwarya Rai deserves credit for making a meaningful contribution in a part that could easily have become decorative.

The music is no more than average, and some of the dialogue occasionally slips into cliché. These are relatively minor complaints, however. On the whole, Khakee is a whopping thriller which, despite a few flaws, delivers a thoroughly entertaining evening at the cinema while also raising some interesting questions about power, morality and corruption.

Keep up the good work, Santoshi.