Khoya Khoya Chand
Lost In Transit
By Vishal Verma

Rating:

What is it?
One thing is sure and it’s quite good! Sudhir Mishra, reads Ghalib – the most dominating poet Urdu poet quite a lot. But alas! When it comes to cinematic narration, the writer director gets lost in the visuals and art depiction of the era and fails to create the aura, spirit, feel & the poetry of those 50’s. Zinhe Naaz Hai Un Par Woh Yahan Hai Magar Dikhayi Nahin Diye – Sudhir Miya.

Seriously speaking, Sudhir’s respect for Ghalib was evident when he titled his previous work inspired by Ghalib’s poetry- ‘Hazararon Khwaishein Aisi’ which was brilliant and it set standards for Sudhir as a story teller with craft.

But sadly, ‘Khoya Khoya Chand’ is a disappointment and more sadly in a big way. First of all, the plot is loosely inspired from the real life of tragedy queen – Meena Kumari with last minute pinch of the tragedy of the eternal beauty – Madhubala.

Nothing wrong in trying to say the heart rendering story of –Meena Kumari which can turn into a brilliant piece of cinema if told with conviction. But here, Sudhir’s narration lacks the essence and feel. Why the Madhubala angle in the end?.

And to make matter worse, the director does wrong judgments and zeroes in Soha Ali Khan to play Nikhant - the actress and Shiny Ahuja.as Zaffar- the writer - director of the 50’s to play lovers.

It requires lot of intensity and conviction to portray such intense characters and both the two actors are below par.

The redeeming part of this film is its music by Shantanu Moitra, the title song is the best and is well written by Swanand Kirkire. Costumes by Ashima Belapurkar and Niharika Khan.
Brilliant performance by Saurabh, Vinay & Co.

Thanks to Sachin Kumar Krishnan, visually the film is a treat.

I heard it was previously titled ‘Bahut Nikle Mere Armaan’ and ironically ‘Armaano par pani phir gaya, Sudhir Miya – Khwaishein Ab Bhi Hazararon hai ap se!. Pls better this.

What is it all about?
It’s a film about two young people buoyant in the film industry of the 50s.. Love story of an actress, Nikhat (Soha Ali Khan), and a writer-director, Zafar (Shiney Ahuja) based in 1950s-60s.

Zafar has a disturbing past, he belongs to an aristocratic family in U.P. he lands in the city of dreams to become a screenplay writer and meets Nikhant an aspiring actress – daughter of a writer. She is willing to compromise in order to achieve her goal and had already had a taste of it at an early age of 14.

She charms the current superstar Prem Kumar (Rajat Kapoor- fine job) and gets her first assignment as a heroine. Rajat also longs for her but he gets married to Dipannita Sharma.

Now Nikhant finds the shoulders of Zafar as her solace. Both are now climbing the ladder of success in heir respective field. Zafar decides to direct his own script but unfortunately Nikhant is not available, their marriage plans also had been postponed.

Differences appear and Zafar casts the current bombshell Ratanbala ( Soniya Jehan – quite good) in place of Nikhant. The film turns out to be disaster and eventually everything goes wrong between the two.
Forcing Zafar to leave the tinsel town. He goes to London and whereas over here Nikhant is drawn towards alcohol and does b-grade movies as there are no established banner ready to take her.

Her work gets managed by Shaymol ( Vinay Pathak – brilliant once again). Situations unite the two lovers as Zafar comes back, makes a film casting Nikhant.

Nikhant dies after doing her last film – Zafar’s film cause apart from her drinking disorders; she also carries a hole in her heart ( the Madhubala angle).

What to look out for?
Shantanu Moitra’s music, the title song is the best and is well written by Swanand Kirkire.
Costumes by Ashima Belapurkar and Niharika Khan.
Brilliant performance by Saurabh, Vinay & Sonia Jehan.
Thanks to Sachin Kumar Krishnan, visually the film is a treat.

What not?
Sadly, the movie does not fall in any genre. Sudhir fails in making it a commercial film or a sensible film. Its gets lost in its journey.

After Hazararon Khwaishein Aisi, much was expected from him but he disappoints.

Conclusion: Khoya Khoya Chand Ki Talash Mein Log Nirash Hookar Hi Lautenge.