Remember the craze Kota Factory had brought along with itself? I know, ever since, a lot of attempts have been made to cash in on the same teenage exam struggle emotion. And, I think that as long as the story is honest, it will catch your attention, because everyone has gone through that phase. Bass isi ka faayda uthaate hue Varun Grover is here w his debut film ‘All India Rank’. I mean, for someone who has co-written Sacred Games and is such a good stand-up comic and a lyricist as well, you can’t help yourself from having some expectations. And while the movie isn’t a masterpiece, it is a pretty heartwarming and satisfying watch. JEE waale din yaad aagaye by god. Those struggles, those dreams, sab ki yaad aagayi. Such a cutu nice film.
Plot
You know how this goes if you’re from a middle-class family. Vivek, your average middle-class teenage son who knows from a very young age ki he has to be responsible for his family, gets shipped off to Kota to conquer those PTSD inducing IIT exams. But dikkat ye hai ki before he can solve the PCM questions, he has to clear his own doubts and figure out his dreams. And trust me, when you see him navigate through the chaos, you WILL be reminded of yourself. That shit was real trauma, bro. Still haunts me fr. Isi baat pe a hug to someone who needs it. Issokay, sab theek hojayega.
Performances
Let’s give a round of applause to Bodhisattva Sharma for absolutely slaying it as Vivek! His portrayal is so real, capturing every awkward moment and internal battle with that sense of relatability. Also, Shashi Bhushan and Geeta Agarwal as Vivek’s parents are the absolutely perfect representation of middle-class parents, and have some of the most emo moments in the movie. Really loved their parts. There is this calmness about Samta Sudiksha as Sarika that really gives you peace. Have seen her in some other movies before, and have liked her in all of them. And let’s not forget the supporting cast—they really bring the whole story to life, adding that extra layer of relatability.
Direction and Writing
Varun Grover is vv impressive as a debut director, and honestly I was sure he’d do well. Yeah, the plot at times does feel like you’ve watched it a lot of times in the recent years, but still there’s something about it that really keeps you invested. Just like his stand ups, his story here also has a tonne of social commentary, but preachy nahi lagti, in fact kaafi fresh lagti hai. You’ll find yourself both smiling as well as crying throughout the movie. It really shows you the absurd beauty of chasing your dreams in a middle-class fam.
Screenplay and Cinematography
The screenplay is vvv smooth and you’re hooked to the story right from the beginning. What I liked best was the smooth transitions from deep talks to random bursts of laughter. So the moment you’re sad, there’s a light moment to cheer you up. And the cinematography? It’s on point! From the vibrant streets of Kota to the cozy corners of Lucknow, every frame is like a trip down memory lane, capturing the essence of 90s India flawlessly.
So, all in all, “All India Rank” is a pretty little watch for you. Grover’s debut is the perfect, but seen before nod to the struggles of adolescence, and makes you feel every emotion possible. Liked it pretty much, and it left me w a heartwarming smile at the end. So, this one’s definitely worth it, but I’d rather wait for an OTT release than watch it in the cinemas!
