Directed by: Abhishek Kapoor
IMDb link: Kai Po Che (2013)
Warning: Spoilers Ahead…
From Page to Screen: Adapting Chetan Bhagat
The 3 Mistakes of My Life was always my second favorite novel by Chetan Bhagat (after Five Point Someone). It had everything needed for a great movie screenplay.
Cricket, Politics, and Love
The story mixes three sub-plots – Cricket, Politics, and Love… into one main theme: Friendship.
The story follows three friends:
- Govind (Rajkummar Rao): The responsible one. He wants to make money but makes one mistake… he secretly falls in love with Ishaan’s sister, Vidya (Amrita Puri), while giving her math tuition.
- Ishaan (Sushant Singh Rajput): The passionate cricketer. He becomes obsessed with training a young Muslim prodigy named Ali (Digvijay Deshmukh).
- Omi (Amit Sadh): The aimless friend. He just goes along with the group until he gets forced into politics by his uncle, Bittoo Mama (Manav Kaul), who funded their sports shop.
Capturing History: Earthquake and Riots
Abhishek Kapoor captures two major events… the Gujarat Earthquake and the Godhra Riots… very well.
Unlike the novel, he builds suspense right from the beginning. The narrative is straight to the point. He doesn’t waste time building their friendship separately; instead, he uses day-to-day events to show how close they are.
The dialogues feel authentic. Lines like “Main Ambani ban jaunga, Omi ko CM bana denge… chal ab rickshaw pakarte hai” sound very real. The use of Gujarati phrases and the cinematography really capture the true vibe of Gujarat.
Minor Flaws in a Strong Film
I had only two minor issues with the film.
First, Vidya’s character. She felt like she was there mostly for entertainment. I would have liked more serious conversations between her and her father, brother, or Govind.
Second, The Riots Sequence. In the book, the scene where Ishaan saves Ali is long and dramatic. In the movie, the director keeps it quick. It felt like Omi was going to commit a crime without even thinking about it. I might have preferred more tension, but the simple approach was still effective.
Music: Amit Trivedi’s Magic
Amit Trivedi’s music expands the layers of the movie.
- Shubh Aarambh: My favorite track. It gives the feeling that something good is about to start.
- Manja: A great song, though I felt the singer could have been different.
- Background Score: Hitesh Sonik deserves applause. The theme that plays during the close-ups of Omi (at the start and climax) was my absolute favorite.
Sushant Singh Rajput: A Confident Debut
even if it means being a tough coach.
Sushant Singh Rajput was the star of the show. It was a confident debut with great screen presence.
He portrays the “father figure” role to the young kid perfectly. I loved the scene where he interrupts Govind’s class to draw a cricket pitch on the blackboard to teach Ali. He is obsessed with cricket, even staying at Ali’s house during the riots just to make sure the kid plays his match the next morning.
Rajkummar Rao: The Responsible Friend
Rajkummar Rao was excellent as the “Kanjoos” (stingy) but responsible friend. His scenes with Vidya were super funny… he always looked shy and uncomfortable.
He is the glue of the group. He sponsors a beer party for his friends and even runs into a riot zone just because Ishaan asked him to. He was perfectly cast as Govind.
Amit Sadh: The Surprise Package
Amit Sadh was the biggest surprise. His character goes through a massive transition… from a laid-back guy to a manipulated political worker.
Two scenes stood out for me:
- The Cricket Win: When India wins the match, Omi is alone and shouting with joy. He decides to forget his fight with Ishaan and runs to the shop to celebrate. The Manja song plays, and the friends reunite. It shows the power of cricket.
- The Climax: The guilt in his eyes when he comes out of jail is powerful. When Govind introduces his own son named “Ishaan,” Omi just watches for a few seconds before hugging the kid and crying. It was his way of saying sorry to his lost friend.
Final Verdict
Kai Po Che is a very good movie full of emotions. Whether you have read the novel or not, you will likely love it.
My Rating: 8.5/10
If you love emotional cricket stories, you must check out my review of [Jersey starring Nani].
