It is the first Bollywood film to be shot in the walled city area of Ahmedabad in the backdrop of Uttarayan
Scorching heat, generous and kind people, gorgeous temples, masjids and havelis of the walled city and the ingenious architecture of pols – these are some of the phrases Kai Po Che film director Abhishek Kapoor chose to summarise Ahmedabad. Kapoor just wrapped up his set from the walled part of the city after completing shooting for the film, which is to release in February 2013.
This is the first Bollywood movie entirely shot in Ahmedabad and the story’s lead characters are three Amdavadi boys. Actors Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh and Rajkumar play the lead roles in the movie, music for which has been composed by Amit Trivedi.
“Few interactions during the process of shooting in the walled city of Ahmedabad indeed impressed me,” says Kapoor. “We moved around Ellisbridge, Manek chowk and Khadia and shot there extensively as the setting of the original story is in fact Ahmedabad,” he adds.
Kai Po Che is a story of three friends – Ishaan, Omi and Govind – young, ambitious and restless boys with dreams of being rich and famous at the dawn of a new millennium. They want to set up a cricket training academy in Ahmedabad and aim to produce India’s next sporting superstars. And, their ordeal begins with the same unbeatable spirit that the words Kai Po Che (a victorious yell in Gujarati) stand for.
The movie delicately explores the nuances of Makarsankranti celebrations here and shows how emotions of friendship can intensify festivities. “The rare fun moments spent with one’s closest pals while they celebrate festivals – dancing while drunk, and watching cricket matches together – are the soul of the movie,” explains Kaproor. The mushy strategising to catch the attention of the cute neighborhood girl, and coming together to stand strong in the face of trouble, and going on to attain success are some of the delicate moments that will sparkle in the film.
Book based on the film soon
Kapoor plans to release a coffee table book titled ‘Going through Gujarat’ which will include experiences that the film crew of Kai Po Che went through in Ahmedabad. The will feature still shots during the making of the movie. Kapoor will handpick the pictures for the book and also write anecdotes for it.
