Khoj review:
The film starts with a missing wife whom her husband (Rishi Kapoor) keeps searching through the streets of Nepal but in vain. A priest (Danny Denzongpa) then claims to have found the lady (Kimi Katkar) but Rishi refuses to accept her as his spouse. Top cop Naseer is assigned the task to investigate...
Loosely based on the Hollywood classic 'Chase a Crooked Shadow' (1958), the plot was remade earlier as Dhuaan (1981) with a gender reversal where Rakhee searches for her missing hubby. Khoj was obviously a better adaptation of the two and full credit to Ramsays for transcending beyond their comfort zone of 'Saamri' and 'Nevala' to make this taut suspense thriller.
Khoj was a unique non-horror experiment from Ramsays with A list actors like Rishi, Kimi and Naseer at the helm. Even though extremely fast paced with many edge of the seat moments, the film is still quite underrated as Ramsays are identified only for their trademark horror stuff. No wonder, it tanked at the box office when released in November 1989 alongwith Parinda and Ladaai. I remember watching it at half empty Citylight Cinema, Matunga where the audience was only cheering Kimi Katkar's seductive moves and grooves. Nothing else!!
Performance wise, Naseer and Danny were assuredly competent. Danny's sinister act was simply awesome! Kimi looked extremely charming and sensuous in every scene whether romancing Danny or seducing the clueless Rishi. Satish Shah and Beena were there to evoke some laughter.
Khoj would not have been half as good if not for Rishi Kapoor. Showcasing his immense versatility as an actor, Kapoor was absolutely awesome in a role which goes through myriad emotions through the journey of searching for his wife. I would suggest you re-watch the movie again (after the end revelation) and concentrate on his expressions and body language at different crucial points to understand what a great performance that truly was. Extraordinary!!
Regards,
Sumeet Nadkarni.
