Table of Contents
What Works
Pure entertainment wrapped in a sweet yet socially relevant story.
What Doesn’t
Punjabi-heavy songs and some dialogue that might alienate non-Punjabi audiences.
Break Time
Not needed—there’s no cringe-worthy humor here!
Watch or Skip?
Definitely watch! This one’s worth a trip to the theater, and you might even want to revisit it!
Language
Hindi
Where to Watch
In theaters
Duration
134 minutes
The Story
In Khel Khel Mein, three couples, played by Akshay Kumar and Vaani Kapoor, Ammy Virk and Taapsee Pannu, and Aditya Seal and Pragya Jaiswal, come together for a wedding. What starts as a harmless evening of drinks turns into a tense and hilarious game when they all agree to surrender their phones for a day. The catch? Every message, call, or video they receive must be shared with the group. It’s all fun and games until deep secrets begin to unravel, revealing that no one is as innocent as they seem.
The Review
Adapted from the Italian film Perfetti Sconosciuti (Perfect Strangers), Khel Khel Mein dives into the messy intricacies of marriage and friendship. Director Mudassar Aziz skillfully takes a light-hearted approach to tackle heavy issues, from infidelity to hidden desires and secrets. The game the friends play is more than just fun—it exposes the cracks in their relationships and forces them to confront truths they’ve been avoiding.
Aziz expertly blends humour with deeper conversations around issues like infertility, teenage mistakes, homosexuality, and even sexual abuse. He manages to deliver these themes with sensitivity and subtlety, keeping the audience engaged while sparking thought. The film builds up to reveal the consequences of secrecy in relationships, while also offering plenty of laughs along the way. The only slight misstep is Dr Rishabh’s final speech, which, while fitting for the Indian context, comes off a bit too preachy.
The Performances
Akshay Kumar shines as Dr. Rishabh, a plastic surgeon who’s struggling to fix his crumbling marriage with Vaani Kapoor’s character. His performance, infused with both humour and heart, brings fresh energy to the role. Vaani, too, impresses, balancing her character’s frustrations with grace and wit.
But the real scene-stealer is Taapsee Pannu. She plays Harpreet, a woman caught between her husband’s (Ammy Virk) family expectations and her own personal battles. Her comedic timing and expressions during the game are on point, making her a standout. Fardeen Khan makes a strong comeback, adding charm to the mix, while Pragya Jaiswal delivers an excellent performance as a glamorous wife with her own hidden secrets.
Direction & Music
Mudassar Aziz delivers one of his strongest films yet. His tight direction and clever adaptation of the Italian source material make Khel Khel Mein a perfect blend of traditional values and modern dilemmas. One of the film’s standout moments is a conversation between Akshay’s character and his daughter about intimacy—a rare, beautifully handled scene in mainstream cinema.
However, the film’s music is its weakest link. The overuse of Punjabi songs feels out of place in a film otherwise rooted in Hindi cinema. The only memorable musical moment comes from a clever reworking of the 1968 classic “Parde Mein Rehne Do,” which plays a thematic role throughout the film.
Final Thoughts
Khel Khel Mein is reminiscent of the 2005 classic No Entry—a clean, hilarious ensemble comedy that keeps the audience entertained from start to finish. With its clever writing, sharp performances, and relatable humor, this film is poised to surprise at the box office. Khel Khel Mein isn’t just a fun watch—it’s a standout film that tackles serious issues without ever losing its sense of humor.
Rating
Four stars!
