RADIO SARGAM EXCLUSIVE: KHAKEE FIRST REACTIONS
A Radio Sargam Special

Raj Kumar Santoshi's latest movie Khakee has become one of the biggest Bollywood releases so far this year. The audience keenly awaits any project by the talented filmmaker and since this thriller stars the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan, Aishwarya Rai and Tusshar Kapoor, the expectations are even higher. The film is different from the usual crop of police flicks coming out of Bollywood and although it deals with the usual issues of corruption and deceit in the Indian police force, it leaves the audience hungry for more.

Radio Sargam were invited to an exclusive preview screening at the Safari Harrow Cinema in London recently, attended by the media and key figures in British Asian entertainment, including Kishore Lulla, the influence man from overseas distributor Eros International.

The mood was certainly exciting at the screening and luckily Khakee managed to get the right reactions from the audience, whether it's Akshay Kumar's comedy, Amitabh Bachchan's legendary dialogue delivery or the shock horror twist in the story. The general consensus amongst people was certainly positive. Radio Sargam found out the first reactions for the audience. Below are some quotes from audience members that represent the general feelings.

"I thought the performances of the main cast was very good. Raj Kumar Santoshi has managed to get the best from the cast."

"Amitabh Bachchan was fantastic as usual. He's lost the beard and gone for a moustache look instead, although that made him seem very old in places."

"Akshay Kumar was great in his role. He really made us all feel angry at his character's arrogance. But at the same time he had us all laughing away at his wit."

"Our group were big Aishwarya Rai fans. Although her role is small it was important to the story and she had us all guessing. I wont say anymore or it will ruin the film for those that haven't watched it."

"There's going to be lots of police films in Bollywood this year, but this was a great way to get things started. Its not Raj Kumar Santoshi's best piece of work but its certainly a film worth seeing. I would rate it 6/10."

WRITTEN BY P CHANNA