Kai Po Che (2013)
(P.S. - for people who have not read the book, there are some light spoilers sprinkled here...others can read on)In spite of being a movie adapted from a book, by all means director Abhishek Kapoor's "Kai Po Che" is quite an original piece of work. By switching the primary character of the book (the narrator) with a supporting character, the director has hit some jackpots, as well as made a few misses. Also along with some plot changes, the movie is quiet refreshing even for those who have read the book. But saying that, the plot of the book had a better structure. In the book, the gradual three mistakes committed by the narrator towards the 'lump in throat' finale, gave the story a larger purpose. This, I some how felt got lost in the movie. Speaking of the positives...the book which had a rom-com track, a highly unrealistic sporting scenario in Australia and a very clichéd, loud, filmi albeit dark climax is totally done away with in the movie.
"Kai Po Che" has an even heartfelt tone, which grips you instantly. It may be due to "already read the book" syndrome, the story did feel rushed in parts. The "Bromance" scenes are very touching and the icing on the cake are the scenes showing the epic Eden Garden India-Australia Test match of 2001. They literally gave you goosebumps...boy that will always be the best cricket match of our lifetime!! Cricket fans will make an instant connect with the joy and celebrations shown post victory. The film-makers have hit bulls-eye with the casting, Amit Sadh as the vulnerable 'Omi' and Raj Kumar Yadav as the stingy geek 'Govind' are perfect. They are heavily overshadowed by Shushant Rajput as 'Ishaan', the guy have an amazing screen presence for a new comer. The rest of cast too get their job done right.
Shot in the (hardly ever presented in Bollywood) small but gorgeously decorated Havelis, narrow colourful by-lanes and temples of Gujarat, the visual warmth of the movie is immense. The cinematography by Anay Goswami is spot on for the movie. Even better is the music by Amit Trivedi, the three delicious songs and the BGM supported the settings movie beautifully. With a run time of just two hours, the editing is pretty crisp too.
Kai Po Che is a gutsy movie to make, all credits to the director Abhishek Kapoor. The ultra-sensitive topic of communal instability is very maturely handled by the makers. Its a movie with many messages, without getting preachy in a single scene.
(P.S. - for people who have not read the book, there are some light spoilers sprinkled here...others can read on)In spite of being a movie adapted from a book, by all means director Abhishek Kapoor's "Kai Po Che" is quite an original piece of work. By switching the primary character of the book (the narrator) with a supporting character, the director has hit some jackpots, as well as made a few misses. Also along with some plot changes, the movie is quiet refreshing even for those who have read the book. But saying that, the plot of the book had a better structure. In the book, the gradual three mistakes committed by the narrator towards the 'lump in throat' finale, gave the story a larger purpose. This, I some how felt got lost in the movie. Speaking of the positives...the book which had a rom-com track, a highly unrealistic sporting scenario in Australia and a very clichéd, loud, filmi albeit dark climax is totally done away with in the movie.
"Kai Po Che" has an even heartfelt tone, which grips you instantly. It may be due to "already read the book" syndrome, the story did feel rushed in parts. The "Bromance" scenes are very touching and the icing on the cake are the scenes showing the epic Eden Garden India-Australia Test match of 2001. They literally gave you goosebumps...boy that will always be the best cricket match of our lifetime!! Cricket fans will make an instant connect with the joy and celebrations shown post victory. The film-makers have hit bulls-eye with the casting, Amit Sadh as the vulnerable 'Omi' and Raj Kumar Yadav as the stingy geek 'Govind' are perfect. They are heavily overshadowed by Shushant Rajput as 'Ishaan', the guy have an amazing screen presence for a new comer. The rest of cast too get their job done right.
Shot in the (hardly ever presented in Bollywood) small but gorgeously decorated Havelis, narrow colourful by-lanes and temples of Gujarat, the visual warmth of the movie is immense. The cinematography by Anay Goswami is spot on for the movie. Even better is the music by Amit Trivedi, the three delicious songs and the BGM supported the settings movie beautifully. With a run time of just two hours, the editing is pretty crisp too.
Kai Po Che is a gutsy movie to make, all credits to the director Abhishek Kapoor. The ultra-sensitive topic of communal instability is very maturely handled by the makers. Its a movie with many messages, without getting preachy in a single scene.