Khadaan Movie Review : A tale of ambition, power, and betrayal

Soojit Dutta’s Khadaan digs into the murky depths of human greed and ambition, set against the gritty backdrop of coal mines. The film chronicles the meteoric rise of two men, Shyam Mahato (Dev) and Mohan Das (Jisshu Sengupta), as they navigate a treacherous landscape of syndicates, politics, and betrayal. The term ‘Khadaan’ refers to the mines, and the story begins when Shyam and Mohan join forces to start a mining business in adivasi lands, leading to them first clashing with, and later becoming partners with the Adivasi people, headed by Mandi (Anirban Chakrabarti). In time, Mohan and Shyam become the region’s overlords with the help of the local politician Shehzaad Siddique (Sujan Neel Mukherjee) and rule over the coal mines.
Visually, Khadaan impresses. Shailesh Awashthi’s cinematography captures the rugged beauty of the mines and the rawness of its conflicts. The editing is tight, keeping the narrative moving briskly. However, the script falters with predictable twists and underdeveloped characters, leaving many opportunities unexplored. While the story treads familiar territory reminiscent of recent South Indian hits, there are moments of high-octane drama and heavily stylised action. The violence, though impactful, might feel excessive for some, but it undeniably adds to the film’s grim tone.
Dev dominates as Shyam – a fierce, no-nonsense character who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. His intensity and raw energy are palpable, especially in the high-octane action sequences that are strewn profusely through the course of the film. Opposite him, Jisshu Sengupta brings a calm, calculating, suaveness to Mohan, crafting a compelling foil to Dev’s fiery persona.
As Shyam’s wife Jamuna, Barkha Bisht Sengupta is suitable, but Idhika Paul as Latika fails to leave much of an impression beyond a couple of jokes and songs. In a small role, Sujan Mukherjee is a great addition while Anirban Chakrabarti’s Mandi draws sympathy. The music is well-construed, with Kishori (Rathijit Bhattacharjee, Antara Mitra) and Haye re Biye (Abhijeet Bhattacharya, June Banerjee, Sudip Nandy) standing out with their mellifluous notes and fun beats.
Ultimately, Khadaan thrives on Dev’s commanding presence and a lot of action sequences that are well shot. For fans of action dramas and larger-than-life protagonists, this might just hit the mark.