Watched Kai Po Che yesterday . Its based on the book "3 Mistakes of My Life" by Chetan Bhagat which narrates the story of 3 friends trying to make big in life.
Have never been a fan of Chetan Bhagat and his writings and have only read them when I wanted to read some masala stuff to lighten my mind. Some critics once called him the "Rakhi Sawant of Indian literature". Although I don't completely disagree with this but the only positive thing I have about him is that he knows what sells. He knows whats the pulse of the Indian youth (has a book published by the name What Young India Wants), what they can easily relate to and to top it he add some prominent facilities or event of India in the mix of it, which makes it quite popular.
So coming back to the movie. The movie revolves around 3 friends based in Gujarat. And it shows their dreams and how they go about it and how their life is impacted first by the Bhuj earthquake of 2001 followed by the Godhra riots of 2002. It touches various emotions that we Indians go through during the course of our life. So you have die hard Friendship, Innocent Love, our religiously followed passion for Cricket and lastly but not the least Our insane reverence to one's religion in such a way that we forget about humanity.
The movie with its fresh faces and masala content makes it watchable but I personally felt there was a lot of scope for improvement but nevertheless a nice one time watch.
There is a song in the movie called Manjha and I really liked it a lot. I feel after the song Ye Hosla from the film Dor this is one inspirational song that I will always like to hear.
The lyrics of the song goes like this
Roothe khaabon ko mana lenge
Kati patango ko thaamenge
Haa haa hai jazba
Ho ho hai jazba
Suljha lenge uljhe rishton ka manjha
Hmm ka manjha, hmm ka manjha...
Kati patango ko thaamenge
Haa haa hai jazba
Ho ho hai jazba
Suljha lenge uljhe rishton ka manjha
Hmm ka manjha, hmm ka manjha...
My take, exactly. Not very well-made but the newcomers have given a commendable performance. Also, one question...if you've read the book, or if you could derive from the movie - What were the 3 mistakes?
ReplyDeleteI presume the 3 mistakes were of the ambitious, lover guy. So first wud be the mall shop he bought (if that cud be called a mistake), second would be loving his best friend's sister without telling him...what's the third?
Yes the book is from the point of view of Govind the ambitious guy. So you are right about the 2 mistakes i.e Buying a shop in Mall with so much money and Sleeping with Vidya. Actually if I correctly remember in the book its Govind who pushes everyone to buy that Mall shop not as shown in the movie that the other two friend are more interested in that glass shop.
ReplyDeleteThe 3rd one is not shown in the movie. The ending in movie is quite different from what they have in the book. Omi's parents don't die in the Godhra train burning and neither does Ishan die. Rather its Omi who dies when his mama attacks Ali and his father. At that time when Mama tries to attack Ali and Ishan is held by other rioters, Govind has the opportunity to save Ali but he gets scared and takes a second extra in pulling Ali out of Mama's trishul attack and Ali's wrist get hurt which prevents him from playing cricket. So he says had he not been selfish and reacted quickly he could have saved Ali and that was his 3rd Mistake.
After that they kill Mama and Ishan stops talking with Govind.And Ishan's family too don't approve of Govind and Vidya's relation. They also have to save 5 lakhs for Ali's operation. And after 3-4 years when Govind has saved 3 lakhs and Ishan has 2 , Govind offers him his 3 but Ishan refuses calling him a dishonest and greedy guy. So Govind tries to commit suicide. Thats is when he writes to Chetan Bhagat and Chetan tracks and hears his story in hospital. Later Ishan and Vidya too patch up with Govind and they take Ali to London for operation and it ends there :)
I havent read the book. Havent seen the movie yet either. Don't know why but for some reason I didn't like its promos. Maybe the movie is good. Will watch it at home :)
ReplyDeleteI think the good part of the movie was how Indians could relate to it ?The friendship - I have seen such friendship among Pankaj and his best buddies in my real life !The love for cricket , and the religious extermist mindset.Otherwise , I found it just OK.
ReplyDeleteWell, are all books by cb, his real-lift experiences? Or he portrays way...I wonder.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I agree wid sehar that it was an avg movie...the smart guy (forgotten his name) makes it worth while ;-)