Khela (2008) Online

Rituparno Ghosh's films usually have a poetic feel to it. They are whimsical but in a very subtle way and he knows how to showcase Rabindra Sangeet (poems by Rabindranath Tagore) in his films. 'Khela' also falls under this category. However it's somewhat different from his other films as the main focus of the story is a child instead of a woman.

Workaholic filmmaker Raja (Prasenjit Chatterjee) and housewife Sheela (Manisha Koirala) have a dysfunctional marriage. Sheela yearns for intimacy and a child with her husband while Raja is too busy giving his all to films. As the frustrated director is on his seemingly hopeless quest to find a child to cast in the lead role of his newest movie, Sheela shares her thoughts with her friends. Raja's prayers are answered when he finds THE child, Abirup (Akashneel Dutt). However, Abirup's parents do not consent as they feel that going on location for filming would compromise his studies. So what does Raja do? On Abirup's suggestion, he 'kidnaps' him and they head of to the filming location for an unexpected adventure.

I found the original story to be very appealing and Ghosh tells it beautifully. The lyrical writing is solid. The execution is simple but very well done. The editing, cinematography, music, songs and art direction are brilliant.

Rituparno Ghosh has always extracted the best from Prasenjit Chatterjee and 'Khela' is additional proof to that. Manisha Koirala is spellbinding in a restrained performance. Raima Sen is adequate (even though she tends to go over the top at times). Akashneel Dutt does quite a competent job.

'Khela' is about the effect of the presence of a child in one's life. Abirup's entry to Raja, Sheela and Anjali's lives changes them. This movie is another gem from Rituparno Ghosh's factory. For me, it's one of his best alongside 'Titli' and 'Utsab'.

This movie springs a real surprise in many ways, the film is a departure from director Rituparno Ghosh's pet subjects which generally revolves around a lead female protagonist with intense,passionate drama unfolding but here its a film on a male protagonist, an idealist filmmaker Raja(Prasenjit Chatterjee) and his quest to cast and than to make a film with a boy whom he thinks is perfect for the role and the subject is dealt in a lighthearted way bordering on humour.Abirup the boy(Akashneel Dutt) and Raja the director develop a heart warming bond from the time they first meet through the making of the film.

Meanwhile as flashbacks(of Raja) comes in the personnel life of Raja and his wife Sheela(Manisha Koirala) their disturbed marriage due to Sheela's longing for a child which Raja feels will compromise in the artiste within him is linked in the film with Raja rediscovering the child within him while directing Abirup.

The film is marked with interesting twists and turns with certain humour,interesting characters and more importantly just the right chemistry with all the actors.Performances are the soul of this movie Prasenjit has got just the correct expressions(he generally goes overboard)for this one,Manisha Koirala is brilliant she has underplayed her character beautifully,the character could have turned intense and dramatic too had she overplayed it,Raima Sen(Anjali,the fashion designer of the film in the making) has been given a simple role of todays women and she is good as usual but the film completely belongs to Akashneel Dutt,he luminously shines as Abirup overshadows every actor in every scene!He is so good.Direction and screenplay of the film is different from Ghosh's earlier work but its a refreshing change.

Its a must watch for all who love Rituparno Ghosh's cinema.