My Review of KAI PO CHE (Hindi 2013)

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KAI PO CHE directed by Abhishek Kapoor is based on Chetan Bhagats novel THE 3 MISTAKES OF MY LIFE. While I haven’t read the novel itself, the films initial posters and promos gave the distinct vibe the film was a cross somewhere between ROCK ON!, DIL CHAHTA HAI and RANG DE BASANTI but set in the city of Ahmedabad.

The film revolves around 3 friends Ishaan (Sushant Singh Rajput), Omi (Amit Sadh) and Govind (Raj Kumar Yadav) who open up a simple sports shop in front of a temple compound. The story initially takes us through the trials and tribulations the youngsters have to face to get the shop up and running (including weighing up whether to open a “old shop” or open up something “new” in an upcoming shopping mall). Omi’s uncle (Manav Kaul) helps out the youngers with their finance and the three get the shop up and running.

Ishaan spots talent in a young local school boy Ali, who he believes has it in him to become a National level Cricket star and decides to train and back him. Govind in the meantime, takes a fancy for Ishaans sister who he’s been teaching, while Omi, becomes further embroiled with his Uncles political party.

The movie moves at a near seamless pace with the exception of two essential, yet very crucial scenes which cause a disruption; the first is the Earthquake and the second is the communal riots. How this affects their friendship, community and lives forms the crux of the movie.

The tone of the film is closer to Rakyesh Om Prakash Mehras RANG DE BASANTI than say DIL CHAHTA HAI and ROCK ON! which is what sets the movie aside. The film moves at a lucid pace, and director Abhishek Kapoor delivers another brilliant film after ROCK ON!, and this is clearly a much more serious film that tackles some extremely gritty issues. While ROCK ON! was more of a “feel good” film, KAI PO CHE on the other hand is more heavy-handed and leaves the viewer thinking.

The backbone of the movie is its three central performances.

Sushant Singh Rajput is an absolute natural in the role of Ishaan. He’s given the central role in the film and he shines right through to the end frame.

Raj Kumar Yadav who plays Govind has given the best performance from the trio. Here’s an actor who will essentially go a long way with the right roles. His silent expressions, subtle nuances and very natural expressions linger long after the show is over.

Amit Sadh doesn’t have too much impact in the first half, but his character does a full 360 in the last 30 minutes of the film, and Sadh relies more on silent expressions to leave a mark.

The chemistry between the three leads, and essentially, how they enact their very different characters is what makes the movie stand-out.

Amrita Puri is great as Raj Kumar Yadavs love interest, and Manav Kaul stands out as Amit Sadhs Uncle (specially in the latter half of the film).

Bringing to the big-screen subjects like natural disasters and communal disharmony is never an easy feat for any film-maker (and specially doing justice to it) however Abhishek Kapoor takes strides forward as a director. Films like DEV, PARZANIA and FIRAAQ have all dealt with the issue of the Gujarat riots before in different ways, and KAI PO CHE stil manages to stand its own ground in front of these great films.

The first half of the film does a very clever job at building the film up in a very natural way, and although you kno</em>w where its heading, it’s the handling of the second half of the film which leaves the viewer with a lump-in-throat feeling.

The actual riot scenes, whilst they don’t actually decipher that much bloodshed, the disturbance is in the nature of the violence it implies, which again makes KAI PO CHE a cut above the rest.

Anay Goswami (cinematographer), Amit Trivedi (music) and Deepa Bhatia (editing) are exceptional in their relevant fields and paint an unforgettable film on celluloid. The city of Ahmedabad comes to life in all its glory on the big-screen and the detailing of the smaller aspects of the film, keeping in mind the different time stamps, is just remarkable.

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KAI PO CHE is not only one of the best films of 2013 (I know the year has just started), but one I believe, we will call a very important film as the year ends. And one that already deserves multiple viewings! Must-see!

Prashant Harish Hari