Review of Kai Po Che
Abhishek Kapoor has added one more film in the kitty of Male-Friendship-Triology started with Dil Chahta Hai and followed by Rock On and Zindgi Na Milegi Dubara.The film is a simple translation of Chetan Bhagat’s novel into reels.Like his novel,Kai Po Che is all about Cricket,Business and religion based Politics.Chetan Bhagat gets his due credit this time with a mention of Screenplay writer.
The film is set in a middle class milieu of Ahmedabad where three bosom pals cherish their distinctly different dreams.While Govind portrays a typical Gujju baniya,the petulant Ishaan plays a role of local cricketer and Omi shows us his camaraderie.Omi is the fund raiser of the group and Govind is the manager who takes utmost care of the money by assuring where and when to invest it but he also shows some generosity by providing few tharra parties for his group.They start up a sports store cum cricket coaching centre in one room of a temple managed by Omi’s mama Bittu.Being good at numbers,Govind is entrusted a task of tutoring math to Ishaan’s chirping sister Vidya who later teaches Govind that One and One can also be three! With his business acumen Govind manages well the store and takes some loan from Bittu to purchase a shop in a mall to open a big store.But the Gujrat’s devastating earthquake of 2000 crushes his dream.He breaks down but Vidya helps him restart.In the later part of the film,Ishaan takes on the job of shining Ali,a local boy bestowed with cricketing brilliance and Omi gives in to the wishes of his mama to join his right wing Hindu party.The film reaches the climax with Ishaan coming to know about the relationship of Govind and Vidya and Omi’s bullet piercing Ishaan…..!
This film briefly shows how the balmy air of Navratra helps ripen the couples’ love in Gujrat.The difference between cricket and religion in India is vividly illustrated in the film .While the former goes beyond sect to unite humans,the latter creates schism between them.Similarly,the film leaves a message for young entrepreneurs that business is all about passion,dedication and perseverance….you must know how to stand again and keep walking after every stumble.
Chetan Bhagat is a writer of Middle-Class-Young-India who knows the nerves of this generation and its complexity. With the help of Abhisek Kapoor’s directorial abilities, he has created three characters who have made the film a brilliant one without the presence of any Amir Khan!They would certainly bag more films in future without being stars.
This is a good movie……even better if you have not read the Three Mistakes Of My Life!
