Movie Review: Ki & Ka
Movie Review: ‘Ki & Ka’
Rating: 3/5
Director: R.Balki
Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Rajit Kapur, Swaroop Sampat
It’s not a man’s world, not anymore. At least this is what R Balki’s Ki & Ka tries to establish: In this world, women behave like men, and men are already men. So it’s basically a tale of two men accusing each other of being a man. A weak execution of such a fine concept or issue combined with a directionless storyline the film loses its focus and just goes haywire.
Ki & Ka portraits a beautiful and modern world chemistry between Kareena and Arjun Kapoor giving you a brave concept and great performances by the leads help you to enjoy the film.
You become skeptical about a film that advocates gender equality at any cost and opens with a Honey Singh song, but very soon you realize R Balki’s noble intentions. He has set his film in Delhi, a prototype of how ‘not to treat women’ in Bollywood’s eyes. He throws in a few chauvinistic characters around, including some funny bus conductors who teasingly ask: Arrey madam, Delhi kab se auraton ke liye safe ho gayi (since when Delhi has become safe for women?). But, the real story begins once the audience is done with the heavy dose of Kabir’s ‘coolness’ and Kia’s ‘flamboyance’.
It’s a role reversal for Ki and Ka because only one of them can be the ‘man of the relationship’. Kabir doesn’t have any ambitions to become a ‘corporate robot’ and Kia is very much addicted to ‘social limelight’ and earning big bucks. You may get disturbed by the idea of an IIM-B topper playing a complacent househusband, but not Delhi’s lovable aunty jees, so the wrinkles take some time to surface, but once it happens, everything becomes crystal clear. Here we find for the first time that the power equation of a relationship can ruin it forever.
Ki & Ka is literally about turning the tables. We actually see people in restaurants coming to Kareena and Arjun respectively with photo requests at two different junctures in the film. And, before you say Abhimaan, let me tell you that Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan also feature in the film, but those are the best moments of this film.
The conversation between Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan is so real and hard hitting that it forces you to re-examine the situation carefully. It filters the debate of both genders being equal ‘inside a family’ by posing some serious questions. They’re so good with their expressions that it almost seems like an inward journey for them.
There is no denying that Ki & Ka has a noble concept, but hasn’t the director very conveniently confined himself to a comfort zone where he only needs to break some generalised stereotypes such as ‘women can’t be ambitious’ or ‘men can cook food at home’ or ‘a woman’s career is finished after pregnancy’? The idea of one being superior to the other is deep rooted in our psyche, and that can be addressed when both the genders work for the same goal and not limit themselves with mere role exchange.
Ki & Ka is an important film because it talks about some unconventional rather tough relationship goals, but it mostly remains a film which is immensely in love with melodrama. The characters converse in a strange tone and outburst at regular intervals. And then you remember what Arjun Kapoor’s character says in the beginning: Har scene ko TV serials ki tarah finish karoonga (Will end every scenes like a TV serial), or something to the same effect. Basically with a hook point, but that makes the proceedings too obvious and predictable.
It’s the lead actors’ spontaneity that saves this 126-minute film. Both Arjun and Kareena look at ease and are ably supported by Swaroop Sampat and Rajit Kapoor. Kareena Kapoor’s best comes out in the scene where she delivers a long monologue on being manipulative. Alas, the dialogue writing could have been as natural as her. Arjun Kapoor focuses on being the most lovable male around and succeeds.
Kareena Kapoor as Kia is simply powerful. She looks beautiful, charming and fun. Her sharp dialogue delivery makes her the perfect corporate manager who is arrogant and aggressive.
Arjun Kapoor as Kabir has done a justifiable job. I would say, his character could have been much more enjoyable if he could have brought in more intensity in his acting. His dialogue delivery is not effective. But, overall he gives a fair treatment to the role.
Swaroop Sampat is great as Kia’s mother and her casual mother character adds a light humour to the plot.
Rajit Kapur is as always spot-on. In a short time, he delivers a noticeable job as Kabir’s father.
R. Balki has given us the cinematic masterpiece Cheeni Kum which had encircled the sensitive issue of adult marriage. This time he couldn’t repeat the history. Ki And Ka’s storytelling was not impressive by his standard. How can a director of his stature lose control on his film in the 2nd half? What didn’t work in favour of R. Balki’s direction is he never tried to show us what society as a whole will talk about such concept.
Balki manages to keep the pace of the movie intact. The movie never gets dull. Confused? Yes, but not dull.
Music of Ki And Ka is delightful. The songs are fun, thoughtful and are placed at the right time. Background score gets absorbed well with the story.
Ki And Ka is a brave attempt to bring in the issue of a gender role reversal but the story fails to keep you engaged. The film never reaches a conclusion of the concept and loses its focus. Despite the impressive performances by the leads, the movie simply disappoints.
Ki & Ka isn’t a strong voice against gender stereotyping, but it’s one of its kind in mainstream Hindi film industry, and that makes it notice-worthy.
