KHADAAN

by SOUVIK DUTTA

Khadaan – A Grit-Soaked Epic of Ambition and Power

 

Soojit Dutta’s Khadaan is a searing cinematic exploration of ambition, betrayal, and survival set against the brooding, coal-dusted landscapes of Bengal’s mining heartlands. Anchored by towering performances and an atmosphere thick with tension, the film deftly navigates the murky depths of political syndicates and human frailty.

 

At its core lies the volatile dynamic between Shyam Mahato (Dev, in one of his most intense roles to date) and Mohan Das (a superbly restrained Jisshu Sengupta). Dev’s Shyam burns with relentless drive and raw charisma, while Sengupta’s Mohan is all quiet calculation and cold precision. Together, they craft a taut psychological duel that propels the narrative with urgency and gravitas.

 

Visually, Khadaan is haunting. Cinematographer Shailesh Awashthi captures the scorched terrain of the coalfields with stark realism, immersing the viewer in a world where smoke never clears and hope is buried deep. The action is gripping and grounded, executed with a visceral realism that avoids spectacle for its own sake. The musical score, with standout tracks like “Kishori” and “Haye Re Biye,” brings a poetic cadence to the film’s otherwise grim world.

 

While the film occasionally leans on familiar narrative turns and leaves some supporting characters underexplored, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise riveting experience.

 

What elevates Khadaan further is its resounding commercial triumph. Released on December 20, 2024, the film was met with both critical acclaim and box office glory. Within its first week, it amassed over ₹7.26 crore - setting a new benchmark for opening week collections in Bengali cinema. It went on to shatter the single-day record with ₹1.6 crore on New Year’s Day. By the end of January 2025, Khadaan had grossed over ₹20 crore, making it not only the highest-grossing Bengali film of 2024 but the second-highest of all time in the industry.

 

In Khadaan, Dutta doesn’t merely deliver an action-packed drama; he presents a morally complex portrait of men entangled in a world that offers no easy redemption. This is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll - its coal-black narrative a mirror to our own darker impulses and the price of unchecked ambition.