Kai Po Che - My feelings!

Disclaimer - I'm not a film critic, this is not a full fledged review either! Just an outlet for the overwhelming "feels" (in tumblr speak, LOL) after watching the movie Kai Po Che (Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, based on the novel Three Mistakes of my Life by Chetan Bhagat and Music - Amit Trivedi)**just in case you were living under a rock**

Kai po che .. After a long time I saw a movie that moved me deeply and when that happens I can't stop myself from going on and on about it! (as you can see )

I remember reading three mistakes of my life when it came out. Strangely enough (strange because it was not as well regarded as the earlier 2 books) I liked the book because like I read somewhere about Chetan Bhagat, even I believe in a rather simplistic approach to nationalism and patriotism. However there were elements in the story that were both unreal and dramatic. That's where the movie differs from the book.

Kai Po che is not the novel its based on..its so much more and it deviates from the unreal part of the story and paints a believable picture that is both heart warming and heart rending at the same time.

The characters Govind Ishan and Omi who are the central troika are not perfect rather they are very real and believable. They have their strengths and failings as any normal human being would.

Govind's love for money is almost endearing (which is saying a lot considering how one generally looks down upon the money minded). There is a hint of his difficult life only in the widowed look of his mother and the very ordinary state of his house/bedroom. He counts every paisa but is benevolent enough to spend it on his friends on a rare occasion or two. You can't help but feel for him when he completely crumbles at the loss of his (their) shop in the earthquake..the consummate businessman with a heart that's always right when it comes to his friends and of course the best friend's sister !

Omi and Ishan are the better friends if you look at it from a story point of view. They are invariably closer with conflicts and love flowing in equal measure. Omi thinks the world of Ishan and Ishan loves Omi like a brother. While omi is naive and easily brainwashed..Ishan is emotional..hotheaded and passionate about cricket. When Ishan takes a shine to local cricket prodigy Ali and takes him under his wings for nurturing his talent. You can see Omi withdrawing. Its almost as if Omi loses Ishan to Ali..in a completely non romantic manner (of course..!) This pinches Omi but Ishan ..forever large-hearted and myopic towards any kind of communal divide (or distress of friend) is clear about his priorities. He wants the kids in his academy to have everything he lost due to petty politics and more! Omi is diverted into politics by his uncle in a smooth manner constantly offering the trio monetary support in the running of their cricket shop/academy. Its interesting to see how his father, a kindly temple priest has no interest in extremist politics. In fact Omi is so naive at times and so genuinely troubled at other times that you feel sorry for the boy when he is away from his best friends.

Some of the scenes really make an impact .. the boys taking a day off to just have fun, jumping from a cliff into the sea,how Govind's life is brightened up by his two friends is beautifully shown. In the same sequence when Govind and Omi giggle at a clearly disgruntled Ishan sitting next to a huge man in the bus.. and he, ever the dreamer, makes way to the top of the bus only to be followed by "the follower" Omi and further followed carefully (on his knees, cute!) by Govind ..just defines their characters in a single stroke. Brilliant!

Another scene that stands out is how indifferent /ignorant Ishan is to the clear divide that is there in the party camp while helping those affected by the earthquake. While Omi otherwise ignorant is well aware of the divide.
Their reunion is a classic one. The India Australia test match that India so historically won after being asked to follow on becomes their catalyst ..when they hug it makes you want to cheer for them! (Manjha makes an appearance to make everything better)
Govind Vidya moments flow unobtrusively within the context of the story and is not thrust in like some other love tracks in movies! Vidya's one scene with her brother Ishan stands out for its sweetness!

There are moments that I felt tears flow down (which is very rare for me!)and I don't want to mention and ruin the story/scenes for those who haven't seen the movie ( in case someone comes across this elusive blog.)

Just to conclude a rather rambling piece.. needless to say I loved the writing..words used judiciously..every scene is there for a reason yet doesn't seem forced. The direction is spot on! The cinematography is beautiful.. everything looks real yet there is a vibrant beauty to every scene without the designer sets/clothes. The music and lyrics of each song is so seamlessly blended with the scenes that it adds a magical effect to the movie (another recent widely popular movie had me cringe with its appalling background score!) .. The actors are brilliant in their roles. It was hard for me to differentiate between the characters and the actors ..that's how involved every actor was.
All three were fantastic Rajkumar Yadav gives life to Govind with subtle nuances in acting. You root for him in spite of his dull nature and/or money mindedness because you see the good guy shining through (the one scene where a young boy sits to watch the cricket match but he doesn't really insist on him buying anything is a scene where you see the Govind behind the mask) . Its hard not to empathize with Omi .. Amit Sadh plays him well keeping alive his naivety but you also see his feelings on his face ..his walk and talk and every reaction is so apt that your heart goes out to him in the trickiest of scenes.(watch and all will be clear)
Last but not the least.. the best of the lot for me was Ishaan, only because the character was such. Sushant Singh Rajput gets into the skin of Ishan.. motherless boy.. a wastrel.. hothead..a talented cricket player who is lost in the melange of politics ..the best friend anyone can ever have..a benevolent cricket coach often paying for the cricket gear of his students .. giving away the occasional free sports equipment from his shop..because he truly understands how the kids feel. Passionate and emotional to a fault. His ideals are set high. He can't see the grime around..he sees only the great and the magnificent. This character has gone straight into my favourites list! Amrita Puri is lovely and Manav kaul reminds me of Ashutosh Rana in a similar get up but I mean it as a compliment as to how real he was!
The movie refuses to stop playing in my head. Overall..What a lovely movie experience!