#KhelKhelMein – Akshay Kumar!!! PK Verdict: Silver ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#KhelKhelMein – Akshay Kumar!!!

Mudassar Aziz spins in a decent entertainer, though adaptation of the Italian Global Hit “Perfect Strangers”, Khel Khel Mein well knits the dynamics of a good entertainer and this time not just a brainless comedy, the director succeeds to layer the messaging well making KKM relevant and progressive.

Akshay Kumar has been the reason once for the films to work alone so much so that even the mediocre films of his would do a decent business at the Box Office and now Akshay Kumar is the reason too that his above average films too are falling flat at the Box Office – reason probably his template approach and not creating any desire amongst the audience to give his films a theatrical attempt. Being a film buff and then a critic I too chose to stay away from this one until I heard good things about the film, and I happened to give it try. And am glad I did and so shall you. Akshay has not lost his craft, what he has lost is probably his path to strike the chord with his audience. He was, he is and will continue to be an entertainer.

The story revolves around a dysfunctional family brought together by a game that forces them to confront their deepest secrets and unresolved issues. As everyone navigates through the game night, the film attempts to balance humour with emotional depth, exploring themes of love, forgiveness, acceptance, and taboo concepts too. Writing works and so does the performances of the ensemble cast.

Akshay Kumar brings his signature charm to the role, but the character feels somewhat underdeveloped. His comedic timing is as sharp as ever, but the script doesn’t offer him much room to showcase his dramatic skills or do more. Nevertheless, after a while we find him impressive and invested in his role. Taapsee Pannu delivers a solid performance, bringing depth to her role with a mix of vulnerability and strength. Vaani Kapoor’s best so far is Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui and that’s about it. She simply fills in the blanks here for the cast opposite Akshay Kumar. Pragya Jaiswal is outstanding in her role, while Aditya Seal and Fardeen Khan are strictly passable. Ammy Virk is passable.

The film oscillates between comedy and drama but doesn’t quite excel but manages to entertain. The emotional moments, while earnest, are often overshadowed by the film’s uneven pacing and clichéd narrative choices. The screenplay tries to juggle multiple subplots, but in doing so, it loses focus. At no point you relate to any of the character not even Akshay Kumar for that matter. Yet it is Akshay Kumar that holds KKM high,

The film is visually appealing, with vibrant cinematography that captures the essence of the family’s dynamics. The music, however, is forgettable, with none of the songs leaving a lasting impression other than the remix “Parde mein rehne do” that plays as a theme to the overall film. Other songs indeed slow down the films pace.

The film’s overall charm, along with its clean humour and heartfelt moments, makes it a worthwhile watch.

PK Verdict: Silver ***