Kai Po Che! movie review

Story: Three close friends - Govind, Ishaan and Omi -- seem inseparable.
 But can they overcome the odds to stay together for life?

Movie Review: Welcome to another sensitive and superlative friendship 
film. Like other memorable cinema in this category, Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
, Rang De Basanti(2006), Rock On!! (from the same director, Abhishek
Kapoor, in 2008) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Kai Po Che, too,
 is a story of male bonding in the time of the devastating Gujarat
earthquake and the disturbing Godhra riots.


Based on Chetan Bhagat's The 3 Mistakes of My Life, in his second 
outing,Abhishek Kapoor raises the bar by giving us a thoroughly enjoyable
 film that showcases the strong emotions between the three protagonists
who are boisterous, ballistic and at times plain bored.

The film captures their trials and tribulations in the post-college, 
pre-what-career-to-pursue period. They have two passions -- cricket
and their camaraderie. And two of them (Ishaan and Omi) also have
concerned parents who want them to find direction quickly. They find
 temporary succour when they turn their passion for the sport into a
 business venture; opening a store selling sports equipment. The rebellious
 Ishaan (whose raison d'etre is cricket) sobers down a bit as he lands an
 opportunity to impart cricket coaching to the neighbourhood Muslim boy, Ali.

But the screenplay gathers momentum when tragedy strikes in the form 
of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and the 2002 Godhra riots. Both these
 calamities expose the chinks in the armour of the friendship between the
 boys. They also throw open the can of worms that brought to light the
tainted Hindu-Muslim hatred, one of the darkest chapters in the history
of Gujarat.

There is also a nicely handled romantic track between Amrita Puri (Vidya)
 and Govind that adds a lovely touch to the proceedings. The performances
 of the three boys -- Sushant Singh Rajput(Ishaan), Raj Kumar Yadav
(Govind) and Amit Sadh (Omi) -- are the finest one has seen. A special
 mention for Sushant who has the best role and manages to do full justice
 to it. Amrita Puri is very likeable. Amit Trivedi's music is soulful, leaving
 you mesmerised.

Despite the disturbing backdrop of death, destruction and politics, Kai Po
 Che is very likeable. Between tears, you find yourself smiling, because it's
the story of friendship and human triumph above all else.

Note: You will not like this movie if slice-of-life films with intense emotions
 are not your cup of tea.