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Khoya Khoya Chand |
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| Movie: | Khoya Khoya Chand |
| Director: | Sudhir Mishra |
| Start Cast: |
Shiny Ahuja, Soha Ali Khan, Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Soniya Jehan, Sushmita Mukherjee |
| Our Rating: | ** |
| Review By: | Anamica Saxena |
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 Indian cinema has turned a hundred years old. It has traveled through time and seen numerous ups and downs. It has had its share of criticism, as well as received accolades for the niche it has created for itself in world cinema. It started off with the silent era and then the Indian celluloid began to talk. The golden era of 50s and the 60s still make people nostalgic of the charm and acting genius for the likes of Madhubala, Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari and Rajendra Kumar. The list is endless. The leading lady was Miss simpleton who wore only sarees, and men looked like the most decent creatures on earth. But, what exactly went on behind the scenes? How did these stars behave and what did they do for leisure? And the biggest question of all – Did the casting couch exist in those times as well? If such questions do tickle your brain, then Shiney Ahuja and Soha Ali starrer Khoya Khoya Chand, kissed the silverscreen last week can answer such queries for you. |
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 The latest directorial venture of Sudhir Mishra, doesn’t promise the perfect picture of the times, but yes, it creates a make believe world which tries hard to make us know about the 50s and the 60s. To believe it or not is entirely up to you. The film is about ambitions, relationships and its complexities, the selfishness it ensues and the dominat role emotions play in an individuals life. Now for the storyline. It is not easy to put it on paper, but as they say – try and try till you succeed. And I will definitely try… Nikhat (Soha Ali Khan) is a girl who aspires to become a part of the tinsel town. Her mother has been pushing her since she was a young girl. She gets an opportunity to work as a side actress in a leading actor’s film. The top star of the time, Prem Kumar (Rajat Kapoor) notices Nikhat and falls for her instantly. He trains her briefly in the nuances of the film industry, including the slogan - “Sleep with me and you’ll be a star”. Nikhat is now completely in the pangs of Prem Kumar. Kumar’s one time love interest and actress Ratanbala (Soniya Jehan) starts becoming jealous of Nikhat and her proximity to Prem. Enters Zaffar (Shiny Ahuja), a young writer by profession who wishes to write scripts for films. |
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 Zaffar has had a tumultuous childhood. His father has innumerable liaisons with women which ignited hatred in Zaffar’s heart for his father. His first assignment is to make Nikhat speak flawlessly and improve her diction. In the process, a top director decides to make a movie on one of Zaffar’s book. As time passes by, Prem Kumar finds himself a bride leaving Nikhat heartbroken. As destiny would have it, mutual understanding for each others problems and grief brings Zaffar and Nikhat closer to each other. Love blooms and Nikhat starts ignoring Prem. One fine day Prem discovers their affair and decides not to bring in Zaffar as the writer for his next film. But his plan fails as Zaffar gets the nod from the director. Nikhat and Zaffar decide to get married, but then disaster strikes and the marriage takes a backseat for Nikhat. This leaves Zaffar heartbroken who begins to feel that Nikhat is a selfish girl who only thinks about her happiness. Their relationship starts to plummet and the two start distancing themselves from each other, knowingly or unknowingly.
Zaffar decides to make a film on his own life, but Nikhat refuses to act in it citing 'dates' problem'. He approaches Ratanbala who falls for Zaffar's charm. She is his actress and also someone who understands his emotions. This further leads the two to drift apart. But as Zaffar's film flops he decides to move out of Bombay to London. He comes back a few years later only to realise that Nikhat is no longer the Nikhat he knew. Her career has taken a down swing, she has become an alcoholic and has increased proximity to Zaffar's best friend and her secretary, Shaymol (Vinay Pathak). He again decides to make another film on his love life and rope in Prem Kumar and Nikhat to play their own characters in the film. But then he comes face – to – face with another stark truth – Nikhat has a hole in her heart. But she decides to stay on and complete the film. The ice breaks and the two get married. Most of the actors have come up with brilliant performances in the film. However, the story is too slow to hold on to the viewers' interest. The music is melodious and hummable. The film tries to give the viewer a sneak peek into the 50s and the 60s. It might not present an absolutely perfect picture, but is enough to arouse interest about the era, specially with the constant audibility of the songs of the likes of 'Chaudavin ka Chand' and 'Mera naam chin chin choo'. The film is good for those, who wish to explore the unexplored. |
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