Kai Po Che! (2013)

English translation: “I have cut his kite!” (In Gujarati) 
Director: Abhishek Kapoor
Story: Pubali Chaudhari, Supratik Sen, Abhishek Kapoor, Chetan Bhagat (based on the book by Chetan Bhagat)
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh, Raj Kumar Rao, Amrita Puri
Music: Amit Trivedi, Hitesh Sonik
Time: 125 minutes
Bottom-line: Loved the book, hence liked the film

When I read Chetan Bhagat’s book, 3 Mistakes of my Life, I was stunned; it was an enthralling read. And the film does justice to the book. Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh, Raj Kumar Rao and Amrita Puri star in the lead roles. Like Bhagat’s earlier book: Five Point Someone, this story also deals with friendship, (and, as the tagline says) cricket, business and religion. If you liked the book, you will like the film as well, and vice-versa.

Sushant Singh as Ishaan (left); Sadh as Omi (centre)
and Rao as Govind

The manager of Sabarmati Cricket Club, Govind (Rao) announces that for the first time, a member of their club, Ali Hashmi (Digvijay Deshmukh), has entered the Indian Cricket Team. Govind then goes to prison to pick up his friend, Omi (Sadh), and as they drive away, the timeline goes back to 2001, Gujarat. Govind’s and Omi’s friend, Ishaan (Rajput) is a talented ex-cricketer. He sees an exceptional cricketing talent in a small boy, Ali, and is determined to make him a star. Govind wants to open a sports shop of his own, and does so successfully. Omi’s uncle is a political leader, and he asks Omi to help him in campaigning. Meanwhile, Ishaan’s sister, Vidya (Puri), falls in love with Govind. The remaining part of the film tells the story of their friendship, and how it is affected by cricket, religion, and other actual incidents of 2001.

Amrita Puri as Vidya

Now, while the crux of Bhagat’s book really impressed me, I felt it was blurred by other ‘masala’ elements, and the not-so-good language. But I was amazed how he cleverly blended various themes: sport, religion, politics, friendship and actual incidents, into a very believable, fast-paced drama. The film is a faithful copy of the book, with a few changes. The characters don’t go to Australia, and the ending is different in the film (personally I prefer the book’s ending). The songs are not really needed, but the song played in the background (after India wins the test match) is quite good. The score was also good.

Sushant Singh, with Digvijay Deshmukh, who
plays Ali Hashmi

Sushant Singh Rajput is the star, as far as acting is concerned. His display of happiness, anger, sadness is brilliant. Amit Sadh, who plays Omi, has done well in most of the places. I didn’t really like Rao’s acting, nor did I like Amrita Puri’s acting. But I liked the way Bhagat described the characters in the book – Govind, a pure businessman, always meticulous and miserly; Ishaan, a person who is entirely devoted to his friends and Ali, determined to make the latter a champion; Omi, a good friend who is deeply affected by religion towards the later part of the book. The story is quite small, but the characters are well developed.

To sum up, Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che! is an excellent film, and almost the entire credits goes to Chetan Bhagat, who wrote such a superb tale. The acting is good, as is the music. The film has few important changes from the book, but the basic story is the same. Watch for the acting, the storyline and the realistic portrayal of religion and the society.

My Rating: 4/5