Sometimes all it takes is a single game to reveal the humorous truth: your friends and spouses are actually simply strangers hiding behind a web of falsehoods. Seven lifelong friends decide to read out and answer every text, email, and phone call at a dinner party. The revelation of secrets tests friendships and relationships. The match has begun!

Someone who is comfortable living with lies and speaking them without hesitation demonstrates that they have no fear in the world. The biggest problem with lies is that they stick in your mind because they can happen unexpectedly. To be honest, this is what Akshay Kumar's character Rishabh Malik establishes about himself at the beginning of Khel Khel Mein, when he decides to even put his pet dog on the deathbed to catch a flight. However, as he prepares for the deception, which he accomplishes with tremendous ease, a brief backstory emerges to demonstrate the importance of maintaining a detached perspective.

Khel Khel Mein explores how individuals can become so engrossed in their falsehoods, living in a fictional world that aligns with their narrative or their perception of the appropriate course of action. In no time, we reach the private dinner party among seven long-time friends who hesitantly start with the most dangerous game, making their phones public property for one night. All decked up in style and boozing glasses after glasses, there's no stoppage in the overflowing of emotions intertwined with alcohol. 

At the start of the game, everything seems normal, and the incoming messages and calls don't warrant much attention. However, as the night deepens, the game intensifies and becomes more challenging to escape. The phones begin to serve as an Ouija board, making them haunt and skip a beat every now and then. Well, who doesn't enjoy gossip until you become the topic of discussion?

However, the narrative leverages the convenience of escalating the message's intensity or making consecutive calls. There's no way around it; the initial attempt involves dropping a massive bomb that significantly increases the shock value. Furthermore, you may not expect to receive specific messages after midnight, such as a medical report from the clinic, unless a crime has occurred and is considered a priority.

Meanwhile, the fictional lives finally become reality. The intriguing aspect of a story that revolves around a single night is that, despite its seemingly endless duration, it concludes abruptly. However, this is not the only enjoyable aspect of the film; it did indeed amuse me after an extended period of time, and it is refreshing to see a film that adeptly executes jokes without any complications.

The passing dialogue is also very funny, penned by the director himself, Mudassar Aziz, who wrote the screenplay with Sara Bodinar. Perfect Strangers, a 2016 Italian film, serves as its inspiration, making it a fitting title. There is always more to a person than meets the eye, making it impossible to know or believe anything about them.

Coming to Khel Khel Mein, the film is led by Akshay Kumar, who is playing an older yet suave plastic surgeon, also called "desi George Clooney," married to a much younger Vartika (Vaani Kapoor), a bestselling author based out of London. However, the significant age gap between the lead actors is there on purpose, as the film depicts Kumar as a father to an 18-year-old girl from his previous marriage.

Taapsee Pannu and Ammy Virk portray the Harpreet duo, an unhappy couple. Male Harpreet believes it's normal to put his wife down in front of others for not being able to speak English properly or even have fashion sense. However, female Harpreet accepts it with a healthy dose of scepticism, which eventually turns into a toxic relationship.

Meanwhile, a coochie-coo couple, Samar (Aditya Seal) and Naina (Pragya Jaiswal), persistently refer to each other as "baby" to such an extent that it becomes a point of contention. All of this seems like a cover-up, an obvious subplot given to them.

Finally, last but not least, Fardeen Khan, who makes his big screen comeback, plays Kabir, a divorcee who reveals to his clan that he is dating someone new. However, the plot, which is predictable, doesn't come as a surprise.

Khel Khel Mein effectively employs abrupt shocks as the characters' phones reveal secrets. The first half ends on a high note, as the build-up just gets interesting. However, in the second half, emotional value is at its core, and jokes take a slight backseat. 

The unravelling works the most for Pannu, as she finally gets the attention she deserves in the second half after being a mere spectator in the first act. Oh well, in the second half, she is a beauty and a treat, coming with a bang that leaves an impression. 

Kumar brings a comic element to the big screen that has been absent for a long time. While his role in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan felt challenging for the viewers, Kumar's portrayal in Khel Khel Mein has proven to be a remarkable comeback in the genre. Despite the actor's lengthy monologue, the portrayal of a pathological liar as the champion of relationship advice lacks credibility.

Well, in the monologue game, Pannu takes the cake and walks away smoothly!

On the other hand, Khan portrays Kabir, a character whose arc is highly predictable. But the actor does deliver a decent job, which we couldn't see in Heeramandi. 

Khel Khel Mein worked for me in bits and pieces, with the actors mentioned above leaving an impression. Virk performs admirably, as one would anticipate from an actor of his caliber. The arcs of Kapoor, Jaiswal, and Seal serve as effective fillers.

In terms of the story, I haven't found myself laughing as much, but this is primarily due to the inclusion of jokes and humorous dialogues, which contribute to the overall impact it aims to achieve. However, the screenplay's emotional turn can come across as a bit preachy and unnecessary at times. Expecting a lesson in marriage from three couples who manipulate the truth as if it's no one's business and believe that's how partnership works is not unreasonable. However, that's the harsh reality and truth of the world we live in! 

Khel Khel Mein spins a web of secrets and lies, unravelling relationships with a blend of humour and drama. Akshay Kumar's comic timing shines, while Taapsee Pannu steals the spotlight in the second half with a powerful performance. The film's twists keep you hooked, though its emotional turn might feel a tad preachy. 

Read Also: Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra Review: Routine and predictable but has its emotional moments