Kaipo Che
Year: 2013
Director: Abhishek Kapoor
Cast: Sushant Rajput, Raj Kumar Yadav, Amiit Saadh

In his debut film Rock On (2008), Abhishek Kapoor had successfully used the theme of friends from diverse backgrounds coming together to pursue a common goal. Now for his second film Kaipo Che, he uses the same theme in a different context. So how does his adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s novel The Three Mistakes Of My Life fare on silver screen?

What’s the plot?

Kaipo Che tells the story of three young bosom buddies. Govind (Raj Kumar Yadav) is a nerdy math-wiz with an eye for business; Ishaan (Sushant Rajput), a talented ex-district-level cricketer with no particular current aim in life and Omi (Amit Saadh), another aimless guy who is just happy to revel in his friends’ company.

Govind’s plan to start a sports-equipment shop gives some direction to these friends’ lives. Ishaan starts looking after the associated cricket-coaching facility and Omi gets the things moving through his politically active maternal uncle’s help.

As a coach, Ishaan discovers a precocious cricketing talent  in Ali, a poor Muslim kid. He starts investing a lot of effort in honing the kid’s natural talents. Ishaan’s fascination and resultant fixation about his protégé starts becoming a sore point with Omi, who is now working for his uncle’s xenophobic political outfit. Meanwhile Govind has got romantically involved with Ishaan’s younger sister (Amrita Puri).

With their own personal equations changing and multiple tumultuous events happening around them, will these three youngsters still remain best friends forever? Will they realize their dreams in the rapidly changing post-millennium India?

What’s hot?

·         As a film-maker, Abhishek Kapoor tells a well-knit tale largely devoid of the clichéd Bollywood devices.

·         Insightful documentation of India’s (or rather Gujarat’s) post-millennium history.

·         Excellent performances all around. Sushant Rajput, a former small-screen heartthrob makes an impressive debut as the passionate, hot-headed Ishaan. Raj Kumar Yadav is good as the shy studious Govind. As Ishaan’s sister, Amrita Puri is sweet and chirpy. Manav Kaul delivers a measured menacing portrayal as the zealot politico.

·         Amit Trivedi’s music is steeped in Gujarat’s folk traditions and perfectly complements the film.

What’s not?

·         The factional socio-political conflict and the depiction of some unpleasant violent events in India’s recent history may not go well with some sections of audience.

·         In order to keep the film shorn of melodrama, the director ends up making it rather dry and detached one. It while holding your attention throughout fails to entice strong bonding with the lead characters. Its triumphs and tragedies don’t leave a lasting impact.

Verdict

Kaipo Che is an interesting tale, which is well-told and well-acted. Although it effectively shows the varying career-flights of aspirant youth trying to make it through post-millennium India’s confusing socio-political maze, it shies away from making a strong humanitarian statement. One thing is sure, just like Three Idiots, it manages to be much better than the novel it is based on!

The audiences have loved it. Kaipo Che is already a big box-office winner!