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By Taran
Adarsh, March 30, 2007 - 13:52 IST
 BOBBY. EK DUUJE KE LIYE. LOVE STORY. QAYAMAT SE
QAYAMAT TAK. Four love stories that spoke about a
young, hopelessly-in-love couple facing parental
opposition. Mukta and Zee’s KHANNA & IYER borrows from
all these films, but after a fairly good start, the
speeding car runs out of fuel.
Debutante director Hemant Hegde had so many references
on hand, but the problem with KHANNA & IYER is that
the storyteller tries to cram too many tracks in those
14 reels, resulting in KHANNA & IYER neither catering
to the palette of the Punjabis, nor proving an
appetizing South Indian delicacy.
Sure, there are engrossing moments. In fact, a couple
of sequences between the lovers are cute, while the
banter between constantly-at-loggerheads fathers [Manoj
Pahwa – Khanna; Mushtaq Khan – Iyer] is enjoyable. But
how one wishes this simple love story would’ve had a
simplistic, uncluttered and uncomplicated second hour.
As the captain of the ship, Hemant Hegde knows the
technicalities right, but why did he succumb to
predictability in the latter reels? Why so many
tracks? Why relegate the love story to the background?
To sum up, KHANNA & IYER tries to be different, but
ends being the same kahani moviegoers have witnessed a
zillion times.
Faced with parental opposition, Aryan Khanna [Sarwar
Ahuja] and Nandini Iyer [Aditi Sharma] run away from
home. While on the run, a series of unforeseen
circumstances unfold and unknown to them, a CD
containing proof of relationship between a known
politician [Aroon Bakshi] and terrorist Donga [Yashpal
Sharma] lands up in their bag.
 Chased by their parents, cops and terrorists in the
jungles, what ensues is a series of adventures and
misadventures.
For any love story to leave a mark, it ought to be
embellished with [a] An adorable screen pair, [b]
Interesting romantic/dramatic moments and [c]
Melodious music. While the lead pair does rise to the
occasion [more on that later], the writing falls prey
to mediocrity in the second hour. The music isn’t bad.
In fact, the tunes are catchy, but fade into oblivion
once you’re out of the auditorium.
KHANNA & IYER begins on a dramatic note. You’re told
that the lovers have eloped and the warring parents
hate each other’s sight. The first hour packs in a lot
of entertaining moments, but after a reasonably
delicious main course, when you’re about to go for a
second helping, you’re told that the food is over. In
this case, the story just stagnates in the second
hour. Also, too many tracks [an old woman looking like
a ghost lands up from nowhere and robs the lovers… a
Gabbar Singh resembling dacoit… the minister and the
CD track] and also an unwanted song [filmed on the two
fathers] make a complete mess of the situation.
Tabun Sutradhar’s music is fair. Laxman Utekar’s
cinematography is up to the mark. Although there’s not
much scope for visuals, the output is nevertheless
striking.
 The performances are commendable. Sarwar Ahuja does
very well. He has the trappings of a fine actor and
given the right roles, the youngster has the ability
to go far. Aditi Sharma is equally confident and comes
across as a bundle of talent. It’s a perfect
performance! Manoj Pahwa is a live wire and in
terrific form, while Mushtaq Khan gets a meaty role
after a long time. He is excellent.
Prateeksha Lonkar [Mrs. Iyer] and Neelu Kohli [Mr.
Khanna] are first-rate. Kohli especially compliments
Pahwa effortlessly. Yashpal Sharma [Donga] is okay.
Asha Sharma is fair. Aroon Bakshi does well, but his
role lacks meat.
On the whole, KHANNA & IYER is an ordinary fare that
doesn’t have much to salvage it. The low-key promotion
coupled with lack of face-value as also a weak script
will make the effort go unnoticed.
Rating:- * 1/2
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