The last film based on a Chetan Bhagat Novel, went on to make history in terms of collections. Ofcourse it was made by Raju Hirani and had Aamir in it – an unbeatable combo. Kai Po Che, based on 3 Mistakes of my life, will certainly not make history, but will go down as a well made movie, with some good performances and brilliant music.
Now, I had not read the book, so the story was completely new to me. Though not extremely interesting, it is sincere and loveable. The inherent goodness of intentions and the soaring ambitions make you smile. What’s really good is that it’s crisp and not a long drawn drama. Neither does it go overboard, nor does it underplay emotions. Abhishek Kapoor gets it just right.
3 friends - 1 gifted with talent, 1 with business acumen and 1 with political contacts, set out to make their own Sports academy. They start a small shop to sell sports goods and the talented one teaches kids cricket. The talented one didn’t make it to the big league in cricket, so now has set his sights on picking good talent and training them. While 3 unnatural events turn their lives on their heads, he continues to back a young Muslim kid who’s got Brandmanesque potential. So, after a breezy, dreamy first half, you are subjected to the tragic consequences of the 2001 Bhuj Earthquake, the jubilation of India-Australia test series where Laxman-Dravid created history and finally, the devastation of the Godhra train burning aftermath - Gujarat riots.
What really pulls you along this journey is the ensemble cast. Be it the 3 men at the helm – Sushant Singh, Amit Sadh and Raj Kumar Yadav, or be it Manav Kaul playing Amit Sadh’s mama, everyone puts in their best foot forward. I especially liked Raj Kumar Yadav’s performance. Be it his shy encounters with Sushant’s sister or his stingy business minded approach in the store or his angry tirade when Sushant picks up their hard earned money, he is singularly good. As for Sushant, the Pavitra Rishta guy, he has an extremely good screen presence and I hope he gets more films. It would be good to have him around, coz frankly the next gen actors are an abysmal lot (barring a few).
While this is good movie, it’s not an exception one. But for the performances and the music, it might have fallen flat. The guys seem to have it easy, with the political connect. And too many events jammed into a 2 hour script means a whole lot of jumps. The earthquake destroys their dream, and just when you begin to feel bad, the movie has hopped to the jubilation of Ind-Aus series. And then suddenly, the riots begin. Though these events bring a lot of problems between the 3 guys, sometimes the ridge seems forced. It lacks the deftness with which friendship and its rifts were brought out in Dil Chahta Hai. Nonetheless, the film does leave you shaken, because of the abrupt climax. Also, though a lot of the story is pivoted around cricket, really, the cricket bits are quiet ordinary.
So should you watch this film. Well, ofcourse. It is a well intentioned film with a moving ending. And frankly you don’t have many options either. Go for it coz it definitely Soars in bits and pieces.
Rating: 6/10
Please do comment and let me know your reactions to the film. I am sure, many might have a different opinion. Do Share them.
Now, I had not read the book, so the story was completely new to me. Though not extremely interesting, it is sincere and loveable. The inherent goodness of intentions and the soaring ambitions make you smile. What’s really good is that it’s crisp and not a long drawn drama. Neither does it go overboard, nor does it underplay emotions. Abhishek Kapoor gets it just right.
3 friends - 1 gifted with talent, 1 with business acumen and 1 with political contacts, set out to make their own Sports academy. They start a small shop to sell sports goods and the talented one teaches kids cricket. The talented one didn’t make it to the big league in cricket, so now has set his sights on picking good talent and training them. While 3 unnatural events turn their lives on their heads, he continues to back a young Muslim kid who’s got Brandmanesque potential. So, after a breezy, dreamy first half, you are subjected to the tragic consequences of the 2001 Bhuj Earthquake, the jubilation of India-Australia test series where Laxman-Dravid created history and finally, the devastation of the Godhra train burning aftermath - Gujarat riots.
What really pulls you along this journey is the ensemble cast. Be it the 3 men at the helm – Sushant Singh, Amit Sadh and Raj Kumar Yadav, or be it Manav Kaul playing Amit Sadh’s mama, everyone puts in their best foot forward. I especially liked Raj Kumar Yadav’s performance. Be it his shy encounters with Sushant’s sister or his stingy business minded approach in the store or his angry tirade when Sushant picks up their hard earned money, he is singularly good. As for Sushant, the Pavitra Rishta guy, he has an extremely good screen presence and I hope he gets more films. It would be good to have him around, coz frankly the next gen actors are an abysmal lot (barring a few).
While this is good movie, it’s not an exception one. But for the performances and the music, it might have fallen flat. The guys seem to have it easy, with the political connect. And too many events jammed into a 2 hour script means a whole lot of jumps. The earthquake destroys their dream, and just when you begin to feel bad, the movie has hopped to the jubilation of Ind-Aus series. And then suddenly, the riots begin. Though these events bring a lot of problems between the 3 guys, sometimes the ridge seems forced. It lacks the deftness with which friendship and its rifts were brought out in Dil Chahta Hai. Nonetheless, the film does leave you shaken, because of the abrupt climax. Also, though a lot of the story is pivoted around cricket, really, the cricket bits are quiet ordinary.
So should you watch this film. Well, ofcourse. It is a well intentioned film with a moving ending. And frankly you don’t have many options either. Go for it coz it definitely Soars in bits and pieces.
Rating: 6/10
Please do comment and let me know your reactions to the film. I am sure, many might have a different opinion. Do Share them.
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