Khandaani Shafakhana Review : Sonakshi Sinha's genuine attempt washed by a wilted script

Khandaani Shafakhana

Khandaani Shafakhana Director: Shilpi Dasgupta

Khandaani Shafakhana Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Varun Sharma, Badshah

Khandaani Shafakhana Movie Stars: 2.5/5

In Bollywood, movies on sexual issues and sex education have always shown from the prism of a male protagonist. Khandaani Shafakhana is the story of Baby Bedi played by Sonakshi Sinha, a quick-witted small-town medical representative from an orthodox Punjabi family. Despite her efforts, her paltry income fails to match up to mounting debt. One day, she is presented with a unique opportunity to sell-off an infamous Unnani ‘Sex Clinic’ which she inherits from her estranged uncle played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda. Of course, the caveat is she has first to run it for six months.

The story then takes the audience for a ride; literally. In a no-holds-barred journey, Sonakshi tries to wade her way through the hush-hush world, which feels everything related to sex is a taboo. The movie is presented as her hilarious journey in an attempt to break taboos, open hearts and minds using humour and wit as the storytelling tool. Extra credit should be given to the writer and director for not using innuendos or suggestive humour to infuse some laugh moments. The courtroom scenes misuse creative freedom and are dramatic, unrealistic and legally indigestible.

The makers have exhibited the tenacity to underline neither sex nor sex education is a taboo. In the attempt to avoid being preachy or trivialise the subject, the dialogue ends up parched often failing to connect with the audience.

Sonakshi has done a fabulous job playing Baby Bedi with an effortless and balanced concoction of innocence, honesty and vulnerability. Sonakshi’s fans will be proud, as she carries the weight of the film entirely on her shoulders.

Varun Sharma plays the role of a good for nothing brother of Baby, Bhooshit. While Varun has played his role well, it’s perhaps time that he grows out of his Choocha character, as it lingers around his roles across his projects. Kulbhushan Kharbanda's part is short yet emotional and impactful. Anu Kapoor leaves the audience desiring for more screen-time. Priyansh Jore makes a promising debut. He plays the love interest of Sonakshi, but the chemistry is missing. Nadira Babbar contributes her bit playing the role of a traumatised mother of Baby Bedi. Badshaah makes his debut with the film and does make his presence felt as a Gabru Ghatack.

Baby Bedi has the unique way to sum-up her views in the movie by succinctly putting it as moral of the story. So moral of the story [review] is: An important subject and performance get lost in a wilting script which lacks enough to either make an impact or leave the audience laughing.