Kai Po Che

This time around, I made it a point to read the book before I said down for the movie.  And I cannot begin to tell you how excruciatingly painful it was to go through 250 odd pages of nearly rotten English.  The writing was anything but grammatically correct.  So it comes as no surprise that the current “Chetan Bhagat generation” thrives in not only reading this crap but using it in their day to day lives. In hindsight, I should not have read the book before the movie.

Thankfully, Abhishekh Kapoor picks up the sad piece of writing and converts it into a brilliant movie.  One of the few times that one can confidently say that the movie was eons ahead of the book.  Was it true to the book in entirety? Not completely.  But I guess that’s what made it better.  Not only has Kapoor crafted the scenes from the book very well but he has also added his own flavor.  Surprisingly, I did have one difference of opinion which was the ending, but I will leave it to you to decide for yourself.

 

For those who haven’t read the book, Kai Po Che is the adaptation of Shri Bhagat’s 3^rd novel – Three Mistakes of My Life.  Supposedly based on a series of true events, it traces the friendship between three young men through the early part of the millennium.  The story is narrated in first person by Govind Patel (Raj Kumar Yadav).  His best buddies – Ishan Bhatt (Sushant Singh Rajput) and Omkar Shastri (Amit Sadh)

 

The movie (unlike the book) begins with Govind making a presentation as the head of Sabarmati Sports Academy and then he goes on to pick Omi from jail before a very important cricket match.  The movie then flashes back ten years to go through the series of events that got them to this match.  How they start their business of a sports shop and cricket coaching.  The impact of Bittoo Mama (Manav Kaul). The Earthquake, the riots, the love story between Govind and Vidya (Amrita Puri) etc.

 

The hallmark of this movie, if I were to single out one, would be the outstanding performances of the entire cast.  Raj Kumar proves once again that he is vastly under rated as an actor and can take lead roles.  Sushant Singh Rajput, it would seem, has started rejecting offers worth Rs.2 crores.  While he was good, it is definitely surprising considering he is only a movie old. 

 

Amit Sadh is the quieter of the 3 but is calm, composed and extremely effective.  Amrita Puri continues to excel.  If she gets her roles right, I think we have a superb actress on our hands.  If there was anyone out of place in terms of casting, it was Bittoo Mama because I expected someone older.  Having said that, Manav Kaul was also very good.  I guess, credit due to Abhishekh Kapoor for taking a bunch of unknown faces and getting them to act out of their skins.  Pretty much what he did with Rock On! in some way.

 

There is very little music involved with 3 tracks from Amit Trivedi which have his stamp all over them.  Manjha is a haunting track that refuses to get out of my head.  And I am quite certain that most of India is doing the same.

 

Kai Po Che yet another example of a director sticking to the basics.  Simple story line. Great casting and therefore performances. Cutting all the unwanted crap that drags the movie to no end. Attention to every little detail.  Keep it simple but keep it perfect. And you have a winner on your hands.  Don’t miss this.  7.5 on 10.  Movie of the year.

 

Trailer on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1s3YIagZOo