Atanu Bhuyan’s Khaki, which opened on February 27 and is currently screening across cinemas in Assam, presents itself as a politically charged police drama that doubles as a clear piece of advocacy for the present state government. Written and directed by Bhuyan in his first directorial outing, the film foregrounds the police and partisan politics more than a coherent narrative, making its intent apparent from the opening scenes.
The film begins with footage of a swearing-in ceremony for Assam’s current chief minister — the leader is not named on screen but is referred to by supporters as “mama” — immediately signalling the movie’s political orientation. From there, Khaki shifts focus to the police, following an on-screen encounter linked to Bipul Gogoi, brother of former MLA Monorama Gogoi, and then moves into flashbacks that set up the main action. Inspector S. N. Bhagawati, played by Pawan Gayen, is transferred to a small Assam town; the story follows his life, his wife Gitu (Shreya Barthakur), events at the local police station, and several incidents tied to the backdrop of a political party that governed for 15 years.
Structurally, Khaki fragments its plot into loosely connected episodes rather than developing a sustained dramatic arc. The filmmaker’s central message is overt: the ruling party’s narrative is praised while the opposition’s 15-year tenure is portrayed as corrupt and divisive. Communal politics — framed as Hindu–Muslim division — recurs throughout the film. Scenes allege abuses against minorities under the previous administration and present police action as the corrective success story under the current government. The film’s promotional thrust toward forthcoming elections is unmistakable.
Acting opportunities are uneven. Pawan Gayen, occupying the lead role of Inspector Bhagawati, is given scope but delivers an underwhelming performance, according to the review. Arun Nath, though visible only briefly, earns praise for his limited moments on screen. Technically, the film’s editing is criticized as particularly weak. At nearly three hours long (approximately 2 hours 57 minutes), the reviewer deems the runtime an unjustified expenditure of time.
Khaki includes an explicit line that captures its communal discourse: “All Muslims are not criminals,” a statement the film uses but does not fully contextualize. Overall, the piece reads as a successful exercise in political propaganda rather than a balanced cinematic exploration. For correspondence: [email protected]
Original Source: https://assam.nenow.in/khaki-assamese-film-review/
Category: Popular Stories,অভিমত,চলচ্চিত্ৰ,সংস্কৃতি
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Publish Date: 2026-03-03 13:04:00
