Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che (2013) Movie Review

Kai Po Che literally translates as “A call of Triumph” is a Gujarati phrase for victory call in kite-flying challenge. An apt title for a movie about victory of friendship caught in life challenges against the potent backdrop of cricket, religion & politics.

Set in the backdrop of Ahmedabad, KPC is about three friends Omi (Amit Sadh), Ishaan (Sushant Singh Rajput) and Gobind (Raj Kumar Yadav) who are a middle class big dreamers but are honest in their attempt. Govind is mathematics freak and gives tuitions for earning and does small little things to earn for survival. Ishaan is cricket freak who failed to make it to Indian cricket team and is always let down by his father in public for his notorious acts. Omi among the three is better in financial terms. He is the son of a priest in a temple and has an uncle involved in politics. Govind is the smarter one to think about a business and ropes in the two who are idle. They kick off with a sports shop and cricket academy occupying a playground with the help of Omi’s political uncle. They dream to turn it into a big shop in a big mall because that’s the future. But everything goes wacky when natural calamity hits their dreams and later the Godhra riot takes place. Will their friendship be able to survive or lose its breath? That is what Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che all about.

Mukesh Chabra casting head and director Abhishek Kapoor did a remarkable job in selecting Artists. The main cast as Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh, Raj Kumar Yadav, Amrita Puri and Manav Kaul composed in their roles – seem settled. All artists have their own characteristics, which makes every character compelling and credible.

Undoubtedly the Cinematography by Anay Goswami, Hitesh Sonik Background Score, editing by Deepa Bhatia presented Abhishek Kapoor’s ‘Kai Po Che’ in an promising way. Swanand Kirkire’s lyrics and music by Amit Trivedi is the undercurrent of the film.

3 Mistakes of my life was a good book which told a fictitious story of Gujarat (early 2000’s) but was based out of real and Historical events which have changed the course of present day India. It was Chetan Bhagat’s least successful book which still had more than a Million readers. Why adapting this book into a film is interesting because it was based on real events. More or less the Movie is true to the essence of the book with couple of changes in the story. But it makes for a good experience.

Survi Verdict: Kai Po Che starts off with nice blend of Friendship – Love – Politics. Except few feel good scenes there is no story development in the first half until Earthquake sequence just before the interval. I didn’t understand the Earthquake scene where main leads leave their loved ones. (Instead of looking for their safety) and they run to check their shop at the mall. Post interval movie gets pacey induces web of emotions, politics, and caste-ism. Director uses earthquake/ riots part scenes smoothly and move forward with the engaging narration. It’s obvious we start expecting a path breaking end to a skillful second half, but sadly nothing of that sorts happens on the screen director just ends up with a simple thoughtful climax. On the whole, Kai Po Che has emotional aspect, natural catastrophe and communal disharmony every perspective cockled in the film contributes awesomely to the flow and compels you to assimilate with it.

Theatrical Trailer: