What is it all about
UTV Motion Picture's `friendship' with helmer Abhishek Kapoor recommended by Chetan Bhagat's best seller `3 Mistakes of My Life' is a picaresque portrait of India during its knock at the millennium peeped from a window of a town in Gujarat is elegantly made with a lot of heart offering a shot of wise.
Coming at a time when it's desperately needed `Kai Po Che' is more than just friendship.. Dil Chahat Hai, Rock On, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, 3 Idiots either focused on life or how to live a life... `Kai Po Che' powered by thought provoking emotional identifications deals with life and circumstances..
Abhishek Kapoor screen adaptation is shrewd and not at all ashamed of portraying the awfulness,beauty, promise and pain witnessed during the last decade in this story and remarkably transfigures this
youthful film from friendship in the beginning to brotherhood in the end.
The Story
Based on Chetan Bhagat's `3 Mistakes Of My Life' the screen adaptations are done by Abhishek Kapoor,Pubali Chaudhuri, Supratik Sen and the novelist himself. There are some modifications made for cinema here and the story begins with a presentation by Govind (Raj Kumar Yadav) for his sports academy.
Govind dreams of being a businessman, his two friends Sushant Singh Rajput (Ishaan) for whom cricket is everything and Omi (Amit Sadh) a priest's son and loyal friend who is ready for anything that his friends are game for. Govind sets up a sports shop along with his friends in the temple compound with Omi's family's help. What follows is a dramatic mix of cricket, religion, business, love and friendship.
The shop prospers as Ishaan coaches young boys in cricket and Govind teaches maths to Ishaan's sister Vidya (Amrita Puri). Ishaan then meets Ali, a child master with a amazing reflexes.. Ishaan sees a future
cricketer in him.. Enter Omi's Bitoo mama a political leader with reserved opinions and situations come to head leading to devastations first by earthquake and second by communal riots.
What to look out for
Abhishek Kapoor has the heart in its right place and while doing so does the rare thing, it gives us a flick which remarkably shifts from friendship in the beginning to brotherhood in the end.
Like Chetan Bhagat writings Abhishek narration is simple and flowing with an extra eye for details.Abhishek makes his audience totally engaged in the process & follow the ups and downs of these 3 Musketeers who are pawn by personal belief, greed and outside surroundings.
Sensible without getting judgmental `Kai Po Che' is armed with some brilliant performance the debut Sushant Singh Rajput on big screen is excellent. Raj Kumar Yadav seems to be enjoying the attention thoroughly whereas Amit Sadh is very good he had a difficult part to play during the last moments and he does full justice. Amrita Puri is fine.
Hitesh Sonik background follows the mood of the film. Amit Trivedi music is fine when one is watching the film. Anay Goswami camerawork is up to mark. Deepa Bhatia editing is sharp. Productions values are excellent.
What not
Kai Po Che concentrates more on the drama and intensity having less `feel good' moments then seen in those pure escapist bollywoodish friendship flick.. the riots scenes might be disturbing for some.
Conclusion: Kai Po Che' is an intense and sensible ode to friendship and brotherhood which comes with a shot of wise at a time when it's desperately needed.
Rating ****
