Khakee
Khakee is a 2004 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film written and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi.[1][2] Produced by Keshu Ramsay under D.M.S. Films, it stars an ensemble cast led by Amitabh Bachchan as the veteran police officer DCP Anant Kumar Shrivastav, alongside Akshay Kumar as Senior Inspector Shekhar Verma, Ajay Devgn as the ex-cop antagonist Yashwant Aangre, Aishwarya Rai in a supporting role as Mahalakshmi, Tusshar Kapoor as Sub-Inspector Ashwin Gupte, and Atul Kulkarni as Dr. Iqbal Ansari.[3][4]) The film explores themes of duty, betrayal, and corruption within the Indian police force during a high-stakes escort mission.[2] The plot revolves around a police convoy transporting suspected ISI agent Dr. Iqbal Ansari from the small town of Chandangarh in Maharashtra to Mumbai for trial.[4] Led by the soon-to-retire DCP Anant, the team faces immediate threats from external terrorists but soon discovers the greater danger comes from within, as Yashwant Aangre harbors a deep personal vendetta against the suspect and is determined to eliminate him before he can reveal sensitive information.[5][4] This leads to a tense, action-packed journey marked by ambushes, moral dilemmas, and intense confrontations that test the team's loyalty and resolve.[5] The narrative highlights the khaki uniform's symbolism—representing both honor and the flaws in law enforcement—as the characters navigate a corrupt system.[2] Released theatrically on 23 January 2004, Khakee runs for 180 minutes and was praised for its taut screenplay, dynamic action sequences, and powerhouse performances, particularly Bachchan's authoritative presence and Devgn's intense portrayal of moral ambiguity.[6][4] It earned a 7.4/10 rating on IMDb from over 17,000 user reviews and a 100% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes based on seven critic reviews, with commentators noting its engaging story despite occasional pacing issues.[1][2] Commercially, the film performed strongly at the box office, collecting ₹25.79 crore nett in India and approximately ₹45.4 crore worldwide gross, ranking it as the fifth highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2004.[7][6]) The success of Khakee revitalized interest in ensemble cop thrillers in Indian cinema and inspired the title's use in the Netflix anthology series, including Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022) and Khakee: The Bengal Chapter (2025), created by Neeraj Pandey and focusing on real-life police stories in different Indian regions, though unrelated to the original film's plot.[8][9]Overview
Plot
Khakee centers on a special police task force assembled to transport a suspected terrorist, Dr. Iqbal Ansari, an alleged ISI agent arrested in connection with riots and the discovery of a large cache of arms in his possession, from the rural town of Chandangarh to Mumbai for trial under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.[10][4] The mission is led by veteran Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anant Shrivastav, who selects a small team comprising the enthusiastic young Inspector Shekhar Verma and the idealistic Sub-Inspector Ashwin Gupte to accompany him.[5] Due to heightened security risks posed by potential terrorist threats, authorities opt for a covert road journey across rural Maharashtra instead of air transport, emphasizing the perilous nature of the operation.[11] The narrative unfolds chronologically with the team's departure from Chandangarh, where Ansari had been initially apprehended based on intelligence linking him to subversive activities.[10] As the convoy navigates isolated roads and small towns, internal team dynamics come to the fore, highlighting tensions between Shrivastav's seasoned discipline and the contrasting personalities of Verma and Gupte, while subtle themes of duty, loyalty, and potential betrayal emerge through their interactions amid the stress of the mission. Later, social worker Mahalakshmi joins the team after aiding in locating threats.[5][4] Escalating dangers mark the journey, beginning with an early ambush attempt by unknown assailants aiming to either rescue or eliminate Ansari, forcing the team to respond with quick tactical decisions and revealing the involvement of a rogue ex-policeman, Yashwant Angre, who harbors personal motives against the operation.[11] Subsequent encounters intensify the threats, transforming the routine escort into a high-stakes survival ordeal through rugged terrain, where the officers must contend with coordinated attacks, resource shortages, and the psychological strain of protecting their charge while questioning underlying conspiracies.[5] The plot underscores the raw commitment to policing in the face of systemic vulnerabilities and external perils, without resolving the central conflicts.[4]Cast
The film boasts an ensemble cast that highlights the complexities of law enforcement through diverse character portrayals. Amitabh Bachchan leads as DCP Anant Kumar Shrivastav, a weary veteran officer burdened by personal loss after his family was killed in an explosion, marking a shift from his previously risk-averse career.[12][13] His portrayal emphasizes the emotional toll of duty on an aging, asthmatic leader.[14] Akshay Kumar portrays Senior Inspector Shekhar Verma, an ambitious and unorthodox cop exhibiting rogue tendencies through his flirtatious demeanor and hidden agenda as a crooked officer pursuing personal gains.[10][15] Ajay Devgn plays Yashwant Angre, a former police officer whose idealism has soured into ruthless motivation for justice, driving conflict as an ex-inspector with a vendetta against the system.[16][1] In supporting roles, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appears as Mahalakshmi, a social worker who becomes the romantic interest and offers crucial emotional support amid the high-stakes operation.[17] Tusshar Kapoor enacts Sub-Inspector Ashwin Gupte, the naive young officer whose idealism and inexperience provide comic relief as the team's enthusiastic sidekick.[17] Atul Kulkarni plays Dr. Iqbal Ansari, the suspected ISI agent at the center of the escort mission.[17] The interplay among these characters underscores the film's strength in ensemble dynamics, where the veterans' cynicism contrasts with the juniors' naivety, amplifying themes of loyalty and moral ambiguity without delving into sequential events.[18]Production
Development
Khakee originated from a script penned by Sridhar Raghavan, who initially pitched the concept—a tense police procedural involving the escort of a suspect amid internal corruption—to his brother Sriram Raghavan, though it was rejected before Rajkumar Santoshi acquired it, co-writing and directing the project.[19] The story drew inspiration from real-life dynamics of Indian police operations, particularly escort missions and the pervasive theme of corruption within the force, which Santoshi explored to highlight moral dilemmas faced by officers.[20] Following the critical acclaim of his 2002 biographical film The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Santoshi completed the script in 2003, infusing it with personal fascination for law enforcement lives.[20] Santoshi's vision emphasized blending visceral action sequences with character-driven narratives, evolving the project from a straightforward cop thriller into a neo-noir exploration of duty, betrayal, and redemption.[21] For the protagonist, played by Amitabh Bachchan, he drew 50% from a real-life cop he knew, 30% from the iconic angry young man in Zanjeer, and imagined the character's evolution over three decades, adding depth to the ensemble of top stars including Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn.[21] Produced by Keshu Ramsay under D.M.S. Films, the film carried an estimated budget of ₹25-30 crore (US$3-3.6 million), positioning it among the costlier Hindi films of its era.[22] Key pre-production challenges included Santoshi's rigorous research into authentic police procedures and the ethical temptations of corruption, ensuring a nuanced portrayal without clichés, though securing approvals for sensitive institutional depictions required careful navigation.[20] This groundwork laid the foundation for a narrative that prioritized psychological tension over mere spectacle.Filming
Principal photography for Khakee commenced in early 2003 and spanned approximately six months, with a focused 60-day intensive schedule across diverse locations to capture the film's tense road journey. Shooting began in March at Versova Beach in Mumbai and extended through various outdoor and studio setups, wrapping up by late 2003 to meet the January 2004 release.[23][24] The production primarily utilized rural areas in Maharashtra, such as Roha and its surroundings, to depict the small-town settings, lending an authentic, gritty texture to the narrative. Highway action sequences, central to the script's escort motif, were filmed on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, while interior scenes were captured at Film City in Mumbai. Additional key sites included Nashik for pivotal confrontations, Pune for transitional shots, and Panvel for logistical setups, ensuring a seamless blend of real-world locales that amplified the film's realism.[25] Cinematographer K. V. Anand employed the Super 35 format, a pioneering choice for mainstream Indian cinema at the time, enabling fluid, wide-angle captures ideal for the dynamic vehicle pursuits and ambush sequences. This technical approach contributed to the film's visceral energy, particularly in low-light night shoots and high-velocity chases, where practical effects were prioritized over CGI to heighten tension and authenticity. Anand's experimentation with the format, tested earlier in portions of other projects, allowed for innovative framing that underscored the perilous road trip.[26] The shoot encountered minor setbacks, including a car mishap in April 2003 during filming in Nashik that briefly injured Aishwarya Rai, causing a short delay before resuming. Monsoon conditions in Maharashtra also led to occasional halts in outdoor work, particularly affecting highway and rural sequences. To achieve realism in the police escort depictions, the team coordinated closely with local law enforcement for permissions and procedural guidance on shoots involving vehicles and crowds.[27][28]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Khakee was composed by Ram Sampath, with all lyrics written by Sameer Anjaan. Released on October 17, 2003, by T-Series prior to the film's theatrical debut, it consists of seven original songs that blend Indian folk and pop elements with Bollywood conventions to underscore the thriller's tense atmosphere.[29][30] This fusion style incorporates rhythmic percussion and melodic hooks to evoke the film's themes of duty and pursuit.[30] The tracks feature a diverse array of singers, including Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Alisha Chinai, KK, Kunal Ganjawala, Richa Sharma, Kailash Kher, and Arnab Chakraborty. Representative songs include the upbeat "Aisa Jadoo" performed by Sunidhi Chauhan, which energizes action sequences; the title track "Khakee" by Alisha Chinai and KK, emphasizing the police motif with its driving beats; and the romantic duet "O Sanam" by Kunal Ganjawala and Sunidhi Chauhan.[31] Other notable tracks are "Dil Dooba" (Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal), a soulful melody; "Mere Maula" (Richa Sharma and Kailash Kher), infusing devotional undertones; "Wada Raha" (Arnab Chakraborty and Shreya Ghoshal), a poignant ballad; and "Youn Hi Tum Mujhse Pyar Karte Raho" (Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal).[31][29]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wada Raha | Arnab Chakraborty, Shreya Ghoshal | 4:41 |
| 2 | Aisa Jadoo | Sunidhi Chauhan | 3:23 |
| 3 | Youn Hi Tum Mujhse Pyar Karte Raho | Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal | 5:30 |
| 4 | Dil Dooba | Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal | 3:50 |
| 5 | O Sanam | Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan | 5:11 |
| 6 | Mere Maula | Richa Sharma, Kailash Kher | 4:50 |
| 7 | Khakee | Alisha Chinai, KK | 4:56 |