Writing almost after one and half years and there’s a reason for it. 2013 didn’t start on a good note health-wise. Had to undergo quite a few medical tests in late February, and on that occasion between the two tests, had to visit a nearby multiplex to pass the time. But made sure to watch the movie I was very much eager to (Promos were brilliant – And I suppose I am becoming somewhat gifted :-) to predict the commercial / overall success just by watching the promos…Does than mean the quality / authenticity of promos is too good? :-) Anyways….) And then again got time to write about it from the confines of the room at the hospital. This and reading the autobiography of Ismail Merchant (Merchant-Ivory Productions) were 2 saviors from the boredom.
The title of the movie sounds a little off or probably offers lighter feel at the first go, but ironically it’s so deep-rooted and thoughtful, which anyone can notice while watching the movie. While Hindi movies, especially the not-so-big-budget / small cast films are coming of an age, these are becoming treat to watch and in fact surpassing the earlier best / milestone movies on almost all the fronts. Kai Po Che is not an exception to this brilliant trend. The real meaning of the title hits us very hard towards one of the last scenes at the staircase.
Chetan Bhagat has his own fan following when it comes to his somewhat distinctive, youthful writing style and also the contemporary subjects and characters he paints. This film is based on his hugely successful ‘3 mistakes of my life’ novel. However this doesn’t look like UTVs only motive to create money spinning machines like the earlier 2 successful movies ‘Hello’ and ‘3 Idiots’ based on Chetan’s novels. It goes beyond that, even more than ‘3 Idiots’ if not commercially, nor in terms of stardom or the hit music and the dance numbers, but rather the genuineness in which it unfolds on screen and a huge huge credit goes to almost all the actors who have lived those characters.
It’s the story about 3 graduate, young, middle class Gujarati boys staged in the early years of the millennium. It’s about their bonding, about their dreams to make it big in life, it’s about their straight / and sometimes not so straight routes to accomplish those dreams, but again trying to remain honest with themselves and with the purpose of doing those acts. It’s also about the passion towards the goals in life / and passion to make others noteworthy in their lives. It’s about the historic cricket series ever played in India, that transformed India into an aggressive and winning team. It’s about natural calamities which can shatter not just dreams, but everything in brink of an eye. It’s about rampant killings owing to religious hatred, and at the same time protecting others without even thinking about their cast, age, religion and relation. It’s about love, it’s about expectations, it’s about being crazy - it’s a very worthy connotation of many other flavors and feelings . It’s like a real big canvas - a sky and plenty of vividly colored distinctive kites flying high, while their sheer existence is destined to be in hands of someone else.
It’s a no-nonsense movie and even if I haven’t read the novel, I assume the screenplay and characters are far more honest to their original parts in the novel (unlike ’Hello’ and ‘3 Idiots’. The character of Omi Vaidya in 3 Idiots though became popular, was kind of nuisance and unnecessarily brought vulgarity in otherwise a clean movie.). Abhishek Kapoor has created a niche for himself through ‘Kai Po Che’. ‘Rock-on’ itself was a well made movie, but this one goes miles beyond that and should seal a place in peoples heart. This along with unmatched editing, screenplay, cinematography and the music is very appealing and makes this a splendidly confined package.
There is already a lot of praise about the trio – Sushant singh Rajput has played marvel of a character and not too sure what to expect from him next :-) as he’s already scored a ‘double-ton’ in the very first match/movie :-) - Another Shahrukh in the making (from small to big screen)? His dialogues are little difficult to understand, but else he’s played the cricket fanatic immensely well. Raj kumar Yadav is another gifted actor, doesn’t have conventional star value, but he has shown the variations in emotions superbly, - a very calm, thoughtful and focused person to a shy lover, to a friend who is angry at Ishan at one of the instances. Amit Sadh playing Omi is shadowed by Ishan, and that was what required getting into the skin of the character. Manav Kaul as Mama leaves a mark, while Amrita Puri is impressive in quite a few scenes, as well as the boy playing young Ali.
While only flip side I could feel was the liberal use of the cell phones in 2000/2001 by the middle class / college going / unemployed youths. But you ignore that, and it also plays an important role in the climax.
Overall a definite watch, may be a personal collection, to experience the bonding amongst the friends, the songs – 'Manja' and 'Subha Arambha', the gripping and multi-faceted story-line, powerhouse performances that can make you cry at 2-3 instances. The camaraderie in the recent past we experienced in ‘Dil Chata Hai’ and ‘Zindagi na Milegi Dobara’, but both portrayed high-middle class / rich guys and so called ‘challenges’ in their lives. This one is way too real and can get straight to the hearts of masses.
This sure is India’s nomination to Oscars, may not fetch any, but should grab many awards in India. And my take is it will be one of the unusual (aka non-khan) movies to gain a huge success overseas. May also become the highest Bollywood grosser in the state of Gujarat.
The title of the movie sounds a little off or probably offers lighter feel at the first go, but ironically it’s so deep-rooted and thoughtful, which anyone can notice while watching the movie. While Hindi movies, especially the not-so-big-budget / small cast films are coming of an age, these are becoming treat to watch and in fact surpassing the earlier best / milestone movies on almost all the fronts. Kai Po Che is not an exception to this brilliant trend. The real meaning of the title hits us very hard towards one of the last scenes at the staircase.
Chetan Bhagat has his own fan following when it comes to his somewhat distinctive, youthful writing style and also the contemporary subjects and characters he paints. This film is based on his hugely successful ‘3 mistakes of my life’ novel. However this doesn’t look like UTVs only motive to create money spinning machines like the earlier 2 successful movies ‘Hello’ and ‘3 Idiots’ based on Chetan’s novels. It goes beyond that, even more than ‘3 Idiots’ if not commercially, nor in terms of stardom or the hit music and the dance numbers, but rather the genuineness in which it unfolds on screen and a huge huge credit goes to almost all the actors who have lived those characters.
It’s the story about 3 graduate, young, middle class Gujarati boys staged in the early years of the millennium. It’s about their bonding, about their dreams to make it big in life, it’s about their straight / and sometimes not so straight routes to accomplish those dreams, but again trying to remain honest with themselves and with the purpose of doing those acts. It’s also about the passion towards the goals in life / and passion to make others noteworthy in their lives. It’s about the historic cricket series ever played in India, that transformed India into an aggressive and winning team. It’s about natural calamities which can shatter not just dreams, but everything in brink of an eye. It’s about rampant killings owing to religious hatred, and at the same time protecting others without even thinking about their cast, age, religion and relation. It’s about love, it’s about expectations, it’s about being crazy - it’s a very worthy connotation of many other flavors and feelings . It’s like a real big canvas - a sky and plenty of vividly colored distinctive kites flying high, while their sheer existence is destined to be in hands of someone else.
It’s a no-nonsense movie and even if I haven’t read the novel, I assume the screenplay and characters are far more honest to their original parts in the novel (unlike ’Hello’ and ‘3 Idiots’. The character of Omi Vaidya in 3 Idiots though became popular, was kind of nuisance and unnecessarily brought vulgarity in otherwise a clean movie.). Abhishek Kapoor has created a niche for himself through ‘Kai Po Che’. ‘Rock-on’ itself was a well made movie, but this one goes miles beyond that and should seal a place in peoples heart. This along with unmatched editing, screenplay, cinematography and the music is very appealing and makes this a splendidly confined package.
There is already a lot of praise about the trio – Sushant singh Rajput has played marvel of a character and not too sure what to expect from him next :-) as he’s already scored a ‘double-ton’ in the very first match/movie :-) - Another Shahrukh in the making (from small to big screen)? His dialogues are little difficult to understand, but else he’s played the cricket fanatic immensely well. Raj kumar Yadav is another gifted actor, doesn’t have conventional star value, but he has shown the variations in emotions superbly, - a very calm, thoughtful and focused person to a shy lover, to a friend who is angry at Ishan at one of the instances. Amit Sadh playing Omi is shadowed by Ishan, and that was what required getting into the skin of the character. Manav Kaul as Mama leaves a mark, while Amrita Puri is impressive in quite a few scenes, as well as the boy playing young Ali.
While only flip side I could feel was the liberal use of the cell phones in 2000/2001 by the middle class / college going / unemployed youths. But you ignore that, and it also plays an important role in the climax.
Overall a definite watch, may be a personal collection, to experience the bonding amongst the friends, the songs – 'Manja' and 'Subha Arambha', the gripping and multi-faceted story-line, powerhouse performances that can make you cry at 2-3 instances. The camaraderie in the recent past we experienced in ‘Dil Chata Hai’ and ‘Zindagi na Milegi Dobara’, but both portrayed high-middle class / rich guys and so called ‘challenges’ in their lives. This one is way too real and can get straight to the hearts of masses.
This sure is India’s nomination to Oscars, may not fetch any, but should grab many awards in India. And my take is it will be one of the unusual (aka non-khan) movies to gain a huge success overseas. May also become the highest Bollywood grosser in the state of Gujarat.
Mobile phone usage in 2000/1 is a good catch :) Very well written, as always.
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