Ki & Ka Movie Review: Too many clichés kill Ki & Ka

It is stressful to keep track of the blurry lines between streeling and puling in R Balki's Ki & Ka. One would hope that in the hands of a matured filmmaker like him, a relevant story about role-reversal and gender dynamics, would bloom. But, alas, much like Shamitabh, this too leaves you heartbroken. What could've been a sharp critique about gender stereotypes just goes on to reinforce them further. It is possible that the idea might have looked appealing on paper but Balki is hardly able to dig deeper to create an unforgettable film.

Ever since his Cheeni Kum days, it has been a specialty of the filmmaker to address heavy-duty issues, in the garb of humour. But in this film, the humour reeks of his laziness. It is one of the reasons why the story remains at a rather superficial level. His inability to sink his teeth into the wonderful matter at hand, is the film's most noticeable flaw. It is disappointing to see a brilliant idea being reduced to a quintessential breezy romantic song-and-dance saga. Added to that the film's too-hard-to-be funny vein fails to evoke many laughs. Halfway into it, you know that the movie's attitude is not pointed enough. The thought process behind it is convoluted, which is why the narrative lacks clarity.

It is hard to not wonder why is everyone being judged in this film. A corporate achiever is ridiculed by her husband because he feels she is robot. Time and again Kabir mentions how his workaholic biwi wants to prove that she is better than men. Quick question to whoever it concerns : Did it not occur to you that a woman's love to her job doesn't necessarily come from the fact that she wants to be better than men? They work because they like working and they really care about what they do. Similarly after dodging the question of what her husband does for a living, a public proclamation of his joblessness, stretched it too far. A lil less judging would help!

It is easy to sit back and watch it like a fuzzy rom-com. But we guess that wasn't the idea. Ki & Ka was trying to make a point which gets lost amidst the clamour of unnecessary haha-heehees. Too much time is lost in reiterating Kabir isn't gay. We totally understand a man not being career driven but in the same breath we are told about his undying love for whiskey and the hatred for pink. Now is that not stereotyping? (On another note, we take the Pink remark rather personally).

Blame it on the film's amateur writing that doesn't offer anything out of the box. It is infuriating to see nothing concrete come out of an idea that had ample potential. The film's real conflict is never the power game or the disparity between the genders. There is an excessive emphasis on a man's need to be monetarily stronger. The only time this film feels even remotely heartfelt, is in the big climax speech. But waiting for two hours to get to the point is not what the audience signed up for. From being a story about real issues, Ki & Ka ends up being a hotch-potch about two nagging people, who bicker to the extent of being annoying and leaves you caring very little about them.

It is one of the first times that Balki's characters aren't endearing enough. It has been his biggest strongpoint to create affable characters. So even when his stories go downhill or lose tempo, you would care for the people in the scenario. This time, you've no one to root for. As surprising as it may sound Kabir comes across as a lazy, chauvinistic bloke and Kiara is everything that feminism must not stand for, despite the actors doing their best to render with care.

As for the acting,each artiste has invested themselves wholeheartedly in their roles. Arjun slips into his part effortlessly. You can't blame him for the poorly written character. He is spot-on, delivering what is asked of him to the tee. When required, he becomes Dharmendra. At other times, he is earnestly cribbing about the disbalance between genders. Kareena Kapoor Khan is adequate. She hardly gets a chance to show her acting prowess but the lady looks gorgeous. This is a character which no one else could've pulled better. You wish the material gave her a better chance.

The best moment in the two hour film was that wonderful cameo by the Bachchans. As Big B sat there smirking about how the chap had disrupted his marital bliss for a week, he looked cute. He says, "Maine tere kya bigada hai saala ullu ka pattha, ab 4 din tak sunayegi" and your heart goes out to him.

It does have its own plusses, but that doesn't take away the fact that Ki & Ka defeats its purpose. Talk about stereotyping and no one film has done it more methodically than this one. No, you won't detest this film but it is saddening to see the effort go in vain.

With its stock issues and patchy solutions to them, the film lacks insight. No matter how watchable it is, the contrived narrative never allows it rise above average.

We rate the film a 50% on the Pinkvilla Movie Meter.