User reviews

The movie got released today. Because of Badhon, I was waiting for it be released and finished seeing it just now.

General review: very poor storytelling. No proper introduction of why people are doing what they are doing. We don't know why Ravi is betraying his own country. There was a one liner explanation which definitely isn't enough to describe his motives. Don't know why his mother is helping him. Don't know why Badhon came to Tabu for help or even why she later joined another organization. There were a one liner explanation for some of those and those doesn't help much to understand the reasoning. And the ending climax can't be any poorer.

Overall, expected much from a director like Vishal Bhardwaj, both from storytelling and directional point of view.

Disappointed.

Anwar Says: Vishal Bhardwaj always takes up something new and normally delivers, this time it's an espionage drama. The movie started so well and intriguing but didn't require story of Tabu's personal life at length,particularly the lesbian angle. After one hour, it has become haywire in parts. You would like the loose ends to join but it would again split.

I would consider it as a movie of new darling of OTT Wamiqa Gabbi rather of Tabbu. She has been given ample scope to shine, whether to dance on numbers of 70's or to show his pain and anguish. Ali Faizal's character is totally confused and he looked confused. In a comparatively shorter role, Azmeri Haque Badhon as ISI associate impress.

Climax is hushed up and could have been better. Vishal Saheb had the scope to present a beauty but he missed the bus. Inclusion of Rahul Ram ( Indian Ocean fame) is a good experiment and it worked. 6 out of 10 from me.

#netflixmovies #anwarsays #Espionagethriller #mole #movie2023 #tabu #wamiqagabbi #AshishVidyarthi #alifaizal #spycamera #VishalBhardwaj.

Vishal Bhardwaj is one of our competent film makers and one does look forward to seeing his movies. This one is spy thriller post the Kargil war of 1999. The central character Krishna Mehra (played by Tabu ) is a special operative in R and AW who is doggedly pursuing Ravi ( Ali Fazal) suspected to be mole in the security organization. As a few of her plans go awry, she has to deal with them along with personal problems she has with her teenaged son who feels neglected due to mom's hectic schedule. Ali Fazal who lives with mother, wife and infant son also has a turbulent family life. The movie focusses on the cat and mouse game between Tabu and Ali.

Director Vishal Bhardwaj keeps the narrative at a reasonably fast and exciting pace. The audience are kept engaged with the developments. Those familiar with the working of intelligence organizations may find technical loop holes but the average person gets carried away with cloak and dagger stuff. There are surprises, secrets, agents working undercover, hush hush conversations, bugs planted, operatives listening in, watching with binoculars, clandestine meetings, surreptitious movements etc etc in plenty as the movie progresses in the comparatively long runtime of 154 minutes. Some good acting byTabu, Ali Fazal and Ashish Vidyarthi makes it watchable. Wamiqa Gabbi is the heroine who has done well while Azmeri Haque Badhon gives a good account of herself in a brief role.

Khufiya review :

A slow burner espionage drama with the early 2000's as its backdrop; Vishal Bharadwaj's Khufiya premiered directly on Netflix this weekend and despite its sluggish pace, kept me in an engaging mode right till the end. It's a tad long at near two hours forty minutes but still worth the time invested. I vouch!!

The plot ain't that complicated: RAW officer KM (Tabu) is assigned the task of spying on a suspected fellow agent (Ali Fazal) and his family, who has evidently sold his soul to the CIA. But, has he really? There is also a parallel track of a Bangladeshi minister, who is conspiring something sinister. KM lays her trust on a new recruit Heena (Azmeri Haque Badhon) but can she pull off the seemingly impossible task??!!!

Don't expect a high octane actioner or a screen scorcher as Khufiya takes its own time to build its core characters, involve you in the proceedings and then moves to its climax...which may make it a tedious watch for the impatient but then a Baby (2015) or Pathaan (2023), it ain't or expected to be!!

Surprisingly, the espionage movie belongs to its ladies who truly impress big time. Tabu, the superlative actor that she is, leaves a mark though her role isn't entirely meaty. Wamiqa Gabbi as Charu, Ali Fazal's wifey delivers a knockout act especially in the film's second half. Bangladeshi star Azmeri Haque Badhon is outstanding in her complex role. Here's an actor to watch out for in future and hope Bollywood gives her more roles!!

Overall, Khufiya has the trademark Vishal Bharadwaj touch though I personally feel the director gives his best when adapting Shakespeare. Who can forget Maqbool (2003), Omkara (2006) and of course Haider (2014), my personal favorite of the trio. Khufiya isn't as great as them but still makes the cut to a watch. Make it your weekend matinee!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Whenever confronted with the term 'espionage thriller', we automatically assume that the narrative will be laden with action and explosions; we seldom anticipate a slow-burn drama that may take its time and proceed with caution.

Therefore, projects like "Khufiya" would always face severe criticism because of how they approach this genre, which is very atypical of the standards set by decades of arbitrary rituals!

That said, my disappointment doesn't correlate with its moderately alien tonality; on the contrary, I liked how different it came across from all other spy movies.

Most of my qualms are regarding the screenplay's insipid and lethargic nature. The first half is fine, but the second half struggles hard to maintain the sense of engagement. The writing took too much time to get to the definitive juncture, but even then, the payoff was mild compared to what I wanted.

The performances are commendable, though, with Tabu shining in her role again. But it's Wamiqa Gabbi who made the greater impression, especially in the latter half of the tale.

Vishal Bharadwaj has hit a new low with 'Khufiya'. After the underwhelming Charlie Chopra I was hoping that he will make amends with this movie. I was so wrong. This movie has one dimensional characters and a predictable plot. The intentions of the antagonist and made clear in the first half but as there is no character depth given to any of the characters, you'll just get bored in the first hour itself. To keep the audiences hooked VB has also added a gratuitous Wamiqua's bold scene which adds nothing to the plot.

In the end there were only unanswered questions, big loopholes and poor writing. It feels like the plot was written by a 12 year old. This film is another reason why Bollywood's mystery/thrillers are not at par with Hollywood. Avoid this movie at all costs, its just a waste of time. Rewatch 'Raazi' instead.

One of the best part is Wamiqa Gabbi's dance n her sex scene. What an amazing body n moves she has.

Fans of Richard Gere's The Double, Gary Oldman's Tinker Tailer.... & Hank's Bridge of Spies will enjoy this spy drama.

Ali Fazal gave a restrained but solid performance.

Tabu was jus added to make it look like female empowerment stuff. They shud have settled for an old actor whose character is retired n has much more experience than Tabu's character.

The only annoying thing is the lack of tension during the dinner scene with the mutton dish.

They cud have easily added some violence n disturbing effect.

In the world of thrilling movies, Khufiya tries to stand out by mixing spy stuff with deep feelings. Vishal Bhardwaj takes us through a messy world of global politics and personal troubles, where loyalties and world issues collide. Tabu and Azmeri Haque Badhon are at the heart of it all, showing us a complex dance of emotions and plans that keep us guessing. Their chemistry is on fire, but sometimes it gets lost in the movie's complicated story and not-so-great execution. Some critics love this combo, calling it revolutionary and full of mystery, while others see it as a bright spot in a muddled mix of stories. Bhardwaj, known for turning books into great movies, does his best to make it all work, even though it's a bit messy.

Khufiya is based on a book from 2012 called "Escape To Nowhere" and dives into a web of betrayals, gender twists, and deep emotions. But here's the thing: the movie tries to be a drama, a spy flick, and a deep look at personal connections all at once. On one hand, Bhardwaj nails it with the characters and some really great moments, like showing us how spies live their lives and the tricky balance between personal and national loyalties. Tabu is amazing as Krishna Mehra, keeping her emotions hidden under a tough exterior, just like Wamiqa Gabbi's character.

But here's the other side of the coin: the movie struggles to decide what it wants to be, jumping between spy stuff and deep emotions. Some folks think it should've gone deeper in both areas to really pack a punch. Khufiya could've been better if it had a faster pace and a tighter story. Still, it takes us into a shadowy world where nothing's clear-cut, making us think, even if it's a bit jumbled. It's a movie that tells a lot but also leaves a lot unsaid, dipping its toes into deep stories but not diving all the way in. The movie has a secretive vibe, not just in the plot but in how it shows emotions, so you need to pay attention to get all the details.

Not sure, in why people had high expectations from the movie. I've gone through the reviews where many of them mentioned that they needed clarifications to understand.

As people - needed much explanation for each and every role they have portrayed.

C'mon now we have seen couple of RAW agents movies and know the motive for it. The director did come to the main point and purpose of the plot.

For me the movie was a top notch, the direction, screenplay. Kept me engaged throughout the movie.

Tabu was just fabulous and fantastic in her role.

Ali Fazal - was also good.

This spy thriller movie was too good.

This is a quite interesting and engaging story set in the early 2000. Ali Fazal's role is written in a very very crafting way who is stucked between patriotism, Emotion and Love. Tabu's character is very interesting as a senior secret agent. She has maintained a balanced character between profession and Family and also her personal life. The show charmer is Wamiqa Gabbi. What a brilliant act by this lady. She steals the show from everyone and given a bold and classic performance.

Overall Khufiya is a one time watch for all the cinephiles for getting a Vishal Bharadwaj taste after a longtime.👍

Spy stories involving international agencies and moles is not everyone's cup of tea, Vishal Bharadwaj proves that in Khufiya. The basic story premise is believable and has some substance but not the screenplay which is lethargically paced with the usual tropes of followers through the streets, crude spy cams installed openly in most obvious of the places in suspects houses and expected behaviors and ordinary reveals which makes this a very lukewarm espionage thriller. Tabu also seems to ne jaded though adequate, but Ashish Vidyarthi , the new hero and sub heroines are wasted. Their expressions are pale and does not excite. At the most, 5/10, and that if you used to like Tabu a lot earlier. The story and screenplay need a lot more masala and reality checks to be interesting g like Special Ops etc which were solid thrillers.

Maybe people will come up different types of reviews but if you're a spy thriller kinda movies lover than this is a good one for you.

I'm a spy story lover and this one is the real incident, so I liked it more.

Based on book Escape From Nowhere(Amar Bhushan's).

Ali (Ravi) was playing character, his real name was Rabinder Singh.

Some Characters are Good and One is Wow.

Some Characters are just fill in the blanks.

Some means Ali and His mother.

Wamiqa did his wow performance. I saw her first time in tu mera 22 main tera 22 movie.. 10 years back.. Simple sweet.

The storyline is well presented and the twist and turns are okay okay.

Those who have watched many spy stories or read will connect with my next lines -

While watching it was remembering me of Homeland (webseries) and many like that literally I felt it.

I liked it.

Con - The length is the only thing.

Review of khufiya 2023 by itsbymayank - Mayank Bharat Bhushan Louteriya - 5 Oct 2023.

Film Review: Khufiya Streaming on Netflix #sanjuzzreviews #khufiyareview #Khufiyaonnetflix #Khufiya #tabu #VishalBhardwaj #AliFazal Director Vishal Bharadwaj, who is known for making some hatke kind of films, Khufiya is a spy thriller based on true incidents. It delves deep into the shadowy world of international espionage where u are considered an asset only till u r useful to the agency ... else dispensable!!

The RAW has a mole who is leaking secrets to the Yanks and it is up to Tabu, Ashish Vidhyarthi and the others to find out the perp and bring him to book.

However the mission is a long drawn one with the story moving from Delhi to North Dakota. Our RAW team will not rest till the mission is accomplished!!

The casting is apt .. Tabu who plays a lesbian/ bi protagonist holds the film firmly on her strong shoulder with a power packed performance and is ably supported by Ashish Vidhyarthi!! Ali Fazal as the mole with a twisted sense of morality along with his on screen wife Wamiqa Gabbi have dished out decent performance!! Bangladeshi bombshell Azmeri Haq Badon too has a small but powerful role in the film along with Shataf Figar !!

No profanity in the film, however there r a couple of sex scenes and for people with a voyeuristic streak there is a strip dance performed by Wamiqa Gabbi that might appeal to you!!

One thing that pulls the film down is the non linear narrative & slow pace of the film that can get confusing at times might not appeal to those who want an heart pounding adrenaline rush all throughout!! A run time of 2 hrs 37 mins also doesn't help it's cause. Cudve have been shortened by at least 20 mins !!

Overall a decently made film by Vishal Bharadwaj. Not his best creation... not bad either!!

Going with 3/5 for this one !! Adios 🙂!!

Vishal Bharadwaj seems to be in a dilemma here " TO THRILL OR TO POTRAY LIVES OF KHUFIYA AGENTS". The second half seems to have superseded. All spies (5 of them in all) are entangled in love, family, monetary and other values. This part is portrayed effectively and thus the on the edge effect has taken back seat.

Powerful characterisation has been his forte , he succeeds here as well. Superb acting performances by Tabu, Gabbi ,Faisal and all supporting cast makes this a must watch.

Vishal Bharadwajs' ability to rope in good music is noted. The Gazal and verses by kabir and Rahim are good and aptly picturised

Special marks for he Background score. It lifts up the mood of otherwise slow paced movie.

Since spy flicks are in the fashion so everyone tries to make one.

This movie seems to have been made bottom up. First they decided to make a movie in 25 crores, then they decided few good actors to suit their budget, then they wrote the screenplay and started filming. Also they managed to include a nice Ghazal. Then they must have decided the locations, there are some fine locations in there even though they appear in few shots, mostly the shootings are done behind doors, and finally they did the mahurat.. Aww.. they forgot the plot. It seems it was added later.

Trust me, you can miss this one if you like Tabu and Ashish.

It is a gripping movie in the first half. A spy thriller with all the mystery, intrigue, espionage, international diplomacy and glamour thrown in against a background of the US interests in Afghanistan and India's Nuclear deal with the US. It keeps you deeply interested and involved throughout. The action is slick and much much better than movies of similar Genre seen onshore but not as smooth and fast paced as it is in Hollywood movies. We simply don't make those kind of movies or are not able to edit that effectively.

The second part has more twists and turns than one had bargained for. It tends to just drag a little bit but is still able to keep one interested and involved. The families of the protagonists and the antagonist are well woven into the story and act as catalysts at times to drive the story forward. Human relationships, sexual orientation and Army Background are all quite seamlessly woven into the fabric of the movie.

All the actors have performed extremely well. One expects nothing less than excellent from Tabbu and she delivers effortlessly. The standout performance however is by Wamiqa Gabbi particularly in the first half as a happy go lucky and trusting wife. She has delivered on her character very effectively. In the second half, the scene where she has sex with a husband she can never forgive is also well executed. (incidentally Thank you Vishal Bharadwaj for not blaming the wife for all evils).

Overall an eminently watchable movie. Would definitely recommend seeing it !!

In the ebb and flow of cinematic thriller tales Khufiya attempts to carve a niche by intertwining espionage with emotional complexity. Vishal Bhardwaj navigates through the stormy seas of international politics and individual tribulations laying bare a sprawling canvas where the microcosm of personal loyalties and broader geopolitics collide.

Tabu & Azmeri Haque Badhon take the center stage embodying a paradoxical dance of emotions and schemes that whittle through the frame with a tantalizing duality. Their chemistry sizzles yet flickers, offering moments of profound intensity that unfortunately get swathed under the film's convoluted narratives and somewhat diluted execution. While some critics find this pairing revolutionary, breathing life and mystery into the movie, others view it as a glimmer in an otherwise underwhelming mesh of subplots and thematic explorations.

Bhardwaj, recognized for his adept adaptations of literary works, orchestrates a symphony that is at times discordant yet unexpectedly harmonious in unexpected junctures. Khufiya finds its roots in Amar Bhushan's 2012 novel, "Escape To Nowhere," & navigates through a complex web of betrayals, gender reversals & visceral emotions. But herein lies an undeniable discord; the film's palpable potential gets enmeshed in its attempts to be a drama, spy thriller, and a poignant exploration of personal entanglements.

On one side of the coin, Bhardwaj's genius is evident in the meticulous crafting of characters and sublime moments that linger such as the nuanced representation of everyday life and interactions of spies & the gentle yet profound intersections of personal and national loyalties. There is a stoic resonance in Tabu's portrayal of Krishna Mehra (KM), whose impassive exterior conceals a tempest of conflicting loyalties and pain, mirrored hauntingly by Wamiqa Gabbi's compelling screen presence.

Conversely, the film struggles with its identity, attempting to straddle multiple narrative threads and thematic arcs, from espionage and betrayal to deeply intimate emotional and sexual explorations. There's a prevailing sentiment that the movie could have dug deeper, both in its spy thriller elements and emotional tapestry, providing a more taut and impactful cinematic experience.

Khufiya might not have realized its fullest potential arguably due to its pacing & a screenplay that some might find lacking. However it invites viewers into a shadowy world where nothing is black and white, offering a contemplative, if not entirely cohesive, cinematic journey. It's a film that simultaneously tells too much and too little, brushing against profound narrative depths yet often skimming the surface. The film encapsulates a secretive essence ("khufiya"), not just in its plot but in its restrained revelation of emotion, demanding an attentive audience to uncover its veiled intricacies.

When was the last time you saw Tabu go through an entire film with one expression? (Quite like Bruce Willis in most of his films.) Perhaps never. But there's always a first time.

Khufiya poses an interesting dilemma. From whose point of view does the director, Vishal Bhardwaj, want us to see the film?

The spy who goes rogue The R&AW officer whose personal life is a mess The housewife, literally caught between the devil and the deep blue sea The lady love of the lady The scheming grandmother The ISI who are constantly plotting against us The CIA agents who are there to do something but don't know quite what they are doing.

Or is it about a mole. Not the mole you would find on a person's body, but someone on the inside spilling secrets onto the other side. If by the end of the movie you are successful in finding out the mole, do let the director, and all of us, know.

Vishal Bhardwaj believes in equal opportunity for his entire team - Each member of the cast is wasted - Ali Fazal, Ashish Vidyarthi, Atul Kulkarni and Navnindra Behl as Maaji.

Wamiqa Gabbi is soon becoming the next Radhika Apte with hardworking but stereotypical performances.

One hour into the movie you don't care what happens next.

If you're looking for a mystery thriller then you'll be disappointed. On the other hand, if you want to watch a soulful emotional drama (with moments of unintended comedy, if I may add) then this may be the movie for you.

Consider these.

Wamika Gabbi extolling the virtues of fasting for Karwa Chauth to an American woman while pouring a glass of wine.

When an American woman asks if 'Something fishy is going on?' - the temptation is to answer - 'No! But there's mutton Rogan Josh for the main course.'

Or Tabu telling a CIA agent, 'Seems like you guys are smart only in your movies'. Dear lady, that's a lot better than movies such as this one which are the epitome of being dumb. And, getting dumber with each passing day.

You don't have to take my word. It's at home. And if you've subscribed to the platform then it's free to view. But there may not be many dumber ways to spend 2+ hours of your life than watching this. The decision is yours.

This movie right at the start accepts that it is a fictional account of chats loosely based on the book"Escape to Nowhere by Amar Bhushan."The lead actors are Tabu Ali Fazal,Warmiqa Gabbi,Aashish Vidyarthi Azmeri Haque Badhon. Its a gripping spy thriller movie quite engaging and is full of twist and turns. The first half of the movie is quite engaging and can give you a quite patriotic feeling. The second half is not as interesting as the first half. As the first half is so good that your expectations rise up and the second half naturally drops all your excitement levels. The ending scene of dinner is quite funny actually. The second half lacked something what actually I can't say but it didn't seemed to be a Vishal Bhardwaj movie. The music is awesome. The STD booths and old mobile phones took us to our memory lanes,absolutely nostalgic. The actors are all known to us very well and needs no comments about their acting. Warmiqa is new but she is very talented. This movie is streaming on Netflix and definitely a must one time watch.

Vishal Bhardwaj's strength is complex characters-driven drama, probing the human psyche and exploring how the characters deal with their inner conflicts and moral dilemmas. The characters in his movies may be gangsters, Underworld dons, or terrorists but they all seem normal, humane, and rooted in reality and with the strong flavor of local culture.

These characters, though very real, always have their eccentricities and idiosyncrasies which make them interesting and lift the movie itself and the whole experience of watching the movie. Salman-Salman (identical twins) in Haider, Shahid Kapoor (his peculiar stammering) & Bhope Bhau (with his piles) in Kaminey, Nandu Khatri (his petty greed and the whole mannerism) in The Blue Umbrella, to name a few; Maqbool, Omkara, 7 Khoon Maaf, Patakha are filled with such characters.

But when the main characters are one-dimensional, the plot falls flat and the screenplay is all over the place, the same peculiarities and quirks become irritating, painful, and stick out like a sore thumb. One such quirky character in Khufiya is the mother-in-law, although brilliantly performed (by Navnindra Behl) contributed nothing. Similarly, the spiritual guru, Yaar Jogiya (inspired by Sadguru?) played by Rahul Ram was also completely out of place and the whole sub-plot was boring and didn't work at all.

As mentioned, the screenplay is all over the place, literally and figuratively. Bangladesh in the first act, New Delhi in the second act, and finally in South Dakota, USA in the third act, but the agenda of the film and intent of the director are more scattered than the physical locations shown. Was he attempting for a cerebral geo-political/spy-thriller or going for a detailed character study set in this world, or was attempting to make a generic, quirky masala thriller? Sadly he failed in all three.

In the promotional interviews Vishal said he was fascinated and inspired by the details of the spy world described in Aamar Bhushan's book (Escape to Nowhere, on which the film is loosely based), but where is that detail in the movie, Vishal? No spy-craft or thrill in this spy-thriller. It is rather a dull spy-family drama showing the age-old, stereotypical, and much-explored personal life of spies in cinema (recently and much more effectively in the web series The Family Man).

The casting of the minor character, if rightly done adds to the believability of the world depicted in the film and supports the main cast. In Khufiya, none of the minor characters impress (which otherwise is always a strong point in Vishal's films), especially the American characters are performed so badly that they appear as caricatures (didn't work, if intentional).

Wamiqa Gabbi is fun to watch and Azmeri Haque Badhon really impressed in whatever small screetime she had. Ali Fazal, Ashish Vidhyarthi, and Atul Kulkarni all are good, and Tabu is Tabu although the character has nothing much to offer.

Feels more realistic. No hyped scenes or unwanted content. Tabu as usual gave her best. Wamiqa excelled in her character as Charu. Rest all actors also gave their best. Story is good but feels like dragged alot. Slow paced and feels like a lengthy movie. Background score of VB is not so impressive. Background score plays a vital role in such spy movies. Songs are hardly remembered. Vishal bharadwaj director is good but definitely not his best. His kickass characterisation was missing. Can give it a try for sure. People who prefer more realistic movies and spy movies will surely enjoy. Go for it this weekend.

Sameer lodaya

The movie is based on the book escape to nowhere which is averagely brought on small screen by vishal Bhardwaj

The content is a usual one of a traitor from a agency and how the agency get holds of him..the movie is seat catching and intense in some scenes the thrill thus carries the movie but then the pace is slow and some songs made which were not meant for ..vishal is also popular for his music but this time it was not of his kind

The favourite of vishals gang which is always there in his movies tabu has acted normal but trust me you have to watch it for wamiqa she played marvellous

One of my favourites director I have always expected a different course of movie but this is a normal one if we compare to his earlier ones..regrets

You can certainly have a watch.