Movie Review | Khido Khundi

Movie: Khido Khundi

Director: Rohit Jugraj

Star cast: Manav Vij, Ranjit Bawa, Mandy Takhar, Elnaaz Norouzi, Gugu Gill, Mahabir Bhullar

Sometimes the comparisons are inevitable, especially if the topics of two movies are the same. This week’s Punjabi film release Khido Khundi based on Hockey brings Sansarpur, a small village in Punjab that produced 15 Hockey Olympians in limelight.

Directed by Rohit Jugraj of Jatt James Bond, Sardaarji 1 and 2, Khido Khundi for once might lure you to watch a hockey match or maybe play one. But, the sad part about Khido Khundi is it’s comparison to a hit Bollywood movie Chak De India, starring Shah Rukh Khan. Though the storyline and treatment of Khido Khundi is pretty original thanks to Rohit Jugraj, it also carries a strong resemblance to Chak De India. In fact, after the interval, the second half of Khido Khundi looks almost like Chak De India, even in treatment.

Though director Rohit Jugraj has tried to keep it as original as possible, especially the first half, which has all the elements (emotions, drama, romance, revenge), the second half is a literal disappointment. At this juncture Khido Khundi loses its points.

The film is very informative, and gives quite a bit of knowledge on hockey and how Punjab is struggling to keep pace with it. But then how many from the audiences haven’t seen Chak De India either!

The film stars Ranjit Bawa, Manav Vij and Mandy Takhar in the lead roles. Ranjit who plays Fateh in the film has delivered a clear cut goal, though, his character could have been refined a little more. Is the director listening? Actor Manav Vij of Udta Punjab, Punjab 1984 and Phillauri fame has given an outstanding performance in the film. He stands out as the one player who did maximum goals. Manav is a strong actor and can overshadow just about any other artiste, which is pretty evident in the film. Next up is the pretty actress Mandy Takhar, it is good to see her act well. Even though she has countable dialogues in the film, she has done justice to them! Iranian actress Elnaaz Norouzi makes a beautiful debut with Khido Khundi. Khido Khundi also stars some real and reel players and all of them have performed amazingly well.

There are no useless songs in the film, which is a bonus point for the film. Barring the on-your-face similarity with Chak De India, Khido Khundi could have made it to the winning podium!

Rating: Two and a half

Jasmine 

info@punjabvision.com