It never was ‘Ki & Ka’; it was, is and will always be ‘Ki with Ka’!

The secret to a happy home is about achieving and sustaining a rhythm, a harmony, between two people!

Last Friday, we found ourselves with two hours to kill. And surprisingly got tickets to that day’s hottest new release, ‘Ki & Ka’! The premise on which R.Balki has made the film is very profound. He addresses, visibly, the issue of gender equality and provokes thought that can hopefully break stereotypical slotting of men and women in socially conformist roles. Yet, as a story-teller he falters. Between a rom-com trying to make a serious point to society and an Abhimaan-like drama of ego tussles among a successful couple, ‘Ki & Ka’, is unfortunately unable to make up its mind on what it really is. Clearly, in trying to be both is where the film fails.

Amitabh with Jaya: Candid Cameos

Even so, the most brilliant part of ‘Ki & Ka’, where the narrative weaves in the real-Life presence of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, serves the entire purpose of the film in less than 10 minutes. Jaya asks Amitabh (both play themselves in candid cameos) if he would have been able to be manage the Bachchan household if she had been the megastar who, on Sundays, gave ‘darshan’ to fans outside their home? She ribs him affectionately, reminding him that he doesn’t even know ‘how to boil water’!  After protesting inadequately trying to make a point, Amitabh concedes by asking: “So, what are you trying to say?” Jaya does not answer the question; and instead moves on with the story’s plot. Yet, the honesty with which Jaya and Amitabh deliver their real-Life questions on reel, makes the viewer think: how relevant is the ‘Ki & Ka’ subtext in our Life?

The answer to that question is a no-brainer: indeed, it is very, very, very relevant.

It is my personal view and experience, of the beautiful friendship I have with Vaani for the last 27 years, that a couple must work on achieving a rhythm between themselves. A kind of Dhoni-Kohli rhythm of running between the wickets in setting up a home and making it come alive. A rhythm that thrives on mutual respect and compassion. It is not about who does what or when, it is about standing up, stepping in, being there when needed the most. This is what makes companionship tick, love thrive and homes come alive. This is what ‘Ki & Ka’ could have said – but it does not. The issue with the film is not just with the film-making process, it is also about the way it looks at the subject. To me, it never can be ‘Ki & Ka’ but is always ‘Ki with Ka’ – this is the only secret to happy homes!