Khel Khel Mein (transl. All in fun and games) is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language comedy drama film[4] written and directed by Mudassar Aziz. Based on the 2016 Italian film Perfect Strangers, the film stars Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan, Vaani Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu, Ammy Virk, Aditya Seal and Pragya Jaiswal.
Khel Khel Mein | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Mudassar Aziz |
Screenplay by | Mudassar Aziz Sara Bodinar |
Story by | Mudassar Aziz |
Based on | Perfect Strangers by Paolo Genovese |
Produced by | Bhushan Kumar Krishan Kumar Vipul D. Shah Shashikant Sinha Ashwin Varde Rajesh Bahl |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Manoj Kumar Khatoi |
Edited by | Rameshwar S Bhagat |
Music by | Score: John Stewart Eduri Songs: Tanishk Bagchi Rochak Kohli Guru Randhawa Raj Ranjodh |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Panorama Studios AA Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 131 minutes[2] |
Country | India |
Language | Hindi |
Box office | est. ₹38.15 crore[3] |
Filming was held in Udaipur and London, between October 2023 to March 2024. The film was released on 15 August 2024.[5][6]
Cast
edit- Akshay Kumar as Rishabh Malik
- Ammy Virk as Harpreet Singh Sodhi
- Taapsee Pannu as Harpreet "Happy" Kaur Sodhi
- Vaani Kapoor as Vartika Malik
- Fardeen Khan as Kabir Deshmukh
- Aditya Seal as Samar Tanwar
- Pragya Jaiswal as Naina Tanwar
- Ishitta Arun as Malti, Naina's stepmother
- Kiran Kumar as Vartika and Radhika's father
- Alka Kaushal as Vartika and Radhika's mother
- Maahi Raj Jain as Anaya Malik, Rishabh's daughter; Vartika’s stepdaughter
- Diljot Chhabra as Radhika, Vartika's sister[7]
- Gaurav Manwane as Varun, Radhika's fiancè[8]
- Chitrangada Singh[9] as Kadambari Kapoor (special appearance)
- Bhumi Pednekar[10] as Sandhya (voice appearance)
- Ananya Panday[10] in a voice appearance
- Arjun Kapoor[10] in a voice appearance
- Jimmy Sheirgill[10] in a voice appearance
- Aparshakti Khurana[10] in a voice appearance
- Sunny Singh[10] in a voice appearance
Production
editCasting
editAkshay Kumar and Taapsee Pannu were cast as the leads.[11][12] Later, Fardeen Khan joined the cast marking his return to films after 14 years. Vaani Kapoor, Pragya Jaiswal, Ammy Virk and Aditya Seal were then cast in other prominent roles.[13][14][15]
Filming
editPrincipal photography commenced by October 2023.[16] The film was mainly shot in London and Udaipur before wrapping in April 2024.[17][18]
Music
editKhel Khel Mein | |
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Soundtrack album by | |
Released | 13 August 2024 |
Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
Length | 17:03 |
Language | Hindi |
Label | T-Series |
Official audio | |
Khel Khel Mein (Audio Jukebox) on YouTube |
The music of the film is composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Rochak Kohli, Guru Randhawa and Raj Ranjodh while the background score is composed by John Stewart Eduri. Lyrics is written by Kumaar, Guru Randhawa, Jaani and Raj Ranjodh. The first single titled "Hauli Hauli" was released on 25 July 2024.[19] The second single titled "Duur Na Karin" was released on 30 July 2024.[20] The third single titled "Do U Know" was released on 8 August 2024.[21]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Hauli Hauli" | Guru Randhawa | Guru Randhawa | Guru Randhawa, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Neha Kakkar | 2:48 |
2. | "Duur Na Karin" | Kumaar | Tanishk Bagchi | Vishal Mishra, Zahrah S Khan | 3:35 |
3. | "Do U Know" | Jaani | Tanishk Bagchi | Diljit Dosanjh | 2:49 |
4. | "Chal Ve Dilaa" | Kumaar | Rochak Kohli | Vishal Mishra, Rochak Kohli | 4:48 |
5. | "Baari Barsi" | Raj Ranjodh | Raj Ranjodh | Guru Randhawa, Raj Ranjodh | 3:03 |
Total length: | 17:03 |
Release
editThe film was earlier scheduled to release on 6 September 2024, but was preponed to 15 August 2024, for an Independence Day release.[22]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 78% of 9 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.8/10.[23]
A critic for Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Khel Khel Mein rests on a novel plot that not only entertains but also boasts of excellent performances."[24] Dhaval Roy of The Times Of India rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Khel Khel Mein has minor flaws, but its smart writing, tight direction, and performances make it worth a watch, especially with a bunch of friends. However, if you get too inspired by this game, do it at your own risk!"[25] Tushar Joshi of India Today rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Khel Khel Mein is a watchable family entertainer with a message. If you are looking for a clean comedy that doesn’t rely on double-meaning and innuendo-laden one-liners, this is the ticket to buy this Independence Day."[26] Titas Chowdhury of News18 rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Akshay Kumar is the glue that holds this fun comedy together. Taapsee Pannu emerges as a show stealer."[27]
Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com rated 3/5 stars and notes "The chemistry between the motley bunch of actors works in fits and starts but Akshay Kumar's gift of the gab, Taapsee's bumbling comedienne and Fardeen Khan's dry wit come out tops."[28] Tanmayi Savadi of Times Now rated the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "Khel Khel Mein switches between laughs and drama. As a whole product, it is entertaining. With the possibility of a sequel, this one could be a fun ride if watched with an unbiased lens."[29] Vinamra Mathur of Firstpost rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "The film is sadly undone by its second half that suffers from what can be best described as the Mood Swing syndrome. Only people with massive mood swings can relate to the jitteriness of the film’s narrative."[30] Subhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "The length of the movie makes things sag in bits, especially in the second half. Plus, some of the ‘reveals’ aren’t that madly interesting either. In the interests of keeping things light and frothy, some characters are given arcs which threaten to redeem them. Which does this kind of film no good: a little more of the some-men-will never-change just like leopards and their spots, would have made it a no-holds-barred banger. Erm."[31]
References
edit- ^ "Akshay Kumar's 'Khel Khel Mein' gets U/A certificate, to have runtime of 134 mins". India Today. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ "KHEL KHEL MEIN (12A)". BBFC. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Khel Khel Mein Box Office". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Pait Chowdhury, Madhumant (21 October 2023). "Akshay Kumar Begins Filming Khel Khel Mein In London: "Can't Help But Smile When The Camera Rolls"". NDTV. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Fardeen Khan starrer Khel Khel Mein gets preponed to August 15". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ Aziz, Mudassar (15 August 2024), Khel Khel Mein (Comedy), Akshay Kumar, Ammy Virk, Taapsee Pannu, KKM Film production, T-Series Films, Wakaoo Films, retrieved 17 August 2024
- ^ "Diljot Chhabra to share screen space with Akshay Kumar in Khel Khel Mein: 'He was so humble'". Times Now. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ "Gaurav Manwane to make Bollywood debut in Akshay Kumar starrer Khel Khel Mein: "Watching him work is like a masterclass in acting"". Bollywood Hungama. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "'Desi Boyz Era Is Back!' Netizens laud Akshay Kumar and Chitrangda Singh's reunion in Khel Khel Mein". Firstpost. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Here's why Ananya Panday, Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, Jimmy Shergill, Aparshakti Khurana, Sunny Singh have been thanked in Khel Khel Mein". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Khel Khel Mein: Fans call Akshay Kumar 'king of comedy' as he returns to the genre, this time with Fardeen Khan". Hindustan Times. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ "Taapsee Pannu unveils first glimpse of 'Khel Khel Mein' with Akshay Kumar and others". The Times of India. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Mishra, Vinay MR (16 September 2023). "Akshay Kumar and Fardeen Khan's Khel Khel Mein is a remake of Perfect Strangers; Aditya Seal joins the cast". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
- ^ "Pragya Jaiswal joins Akshay Kumar starrer Khel Khel Mein". Bollywood Hungama. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Vaani Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan with Khel Khel Mein cast: Top Instagram moments". The Telegraph. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ "Akshay Kumar commences shooting for 'Khel Khel Mein' in London". The Statesman. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu in Udaipur for shoot of 'Khel Khel Mein'". The Times of India. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "Akshay Kumar and co. wraps up shooting of 'Khel Khel Mein'". The Hindu. 30 March 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "'Hauli Hauli': Akshay-Vaani, Ammy-Taapsee feature in generic Punjabi song". India Today. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "Khel Khel Mein: Check Out Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor's Romantic Chemistry In 'Duur Na Karin'". Times of India. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Khel Khel Mein song Do U Know: Akshay Kumar features in Diljit Dosanjh's party song, fans demand the singer's appearance. Watch video". The Indian Express. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ "Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu's 'Khel Khel Mein' to now release on Independence Day". The Print. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "Khel Khel Mein". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (15 August 2024). "Khel Khel Mein Movie Review: KHEL KHEL MEIN rests on a novel plot with excellent performances". Bollywood Hungama.
- ^ "Khel Khel Mein Movie Review : A wildly entertaining comedy". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "'Khel Khel Mein' Review: Akshay Kumar shines in this game of love and betrayal". India Today. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "Khel Khel Mein Review: Taapsee Pannu Takes the Trophy Home, Akshay Kumar's Return to Comedy Is Laudable". News18. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ Verma, Sukanya (15 August 2024). "Khel Khel Mein Review: Game Of Phones". Rediff.
- ^ "Khel Khel Mein Movie Review: Akshay Kumar's Comedy Comeback Balances Humour And Relationship Sensitivity". Times Now. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "'Khel Khel Mein' movie review: Akshay Kumar returns to solid form in a remake that needed little more consistency". Firstpost. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "Khel Khel Mein movie review: Akshay Kumar exhibits flair in no-holds-barred comedy". The Indian Express. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.