It’s only February, but one of the year’s best films has arrived.

This film rises beautifully above its faults. It does not allow simplicity to descend into simple-mindedness, as it transmits real emotions, and gives space to a stand-out performer.

Abhishek Kapoor had dealt with a friends-turned-foes quartet in the excellent ‘Rock On!’ Now he’s back to the traditional square three with ‘Kai Po Che,’ which does have its passages of superior cinema – particularly in the shot takings, ethnic chic costumes, sets and locations – but in its entirety, strikes you as shallow and schematic. Thanks to the three fast-rising actors, technical finesse and some engagingly directed vignettes, ‘Kai Po Che’ is a cut above the commonplace. It’s good but with a touch of depth, it could have been wow.

Kai Po Che! is Gujarati for “I’ve cut”. It is used as a cry of victory in kite-flying contests. Here victory is hard-earned and tinged with tears and regret. But it’s also deeply satisfying.

Abhishek Kapoor’s clarity of vision makes Kai Po Che — the adaptation of a mediocre novel — so irresistible.

Kai Po Che is a must watch.

Despite the disturbing backdrop of death, destruction and politics, Kai Po Che is very likeable. Between tears, you find yourself smiling, because it’s the story of friendship and human triumph above all else.

The film works on more levels than it fails, and most of it is because of its brilliant execution. Watch it for the performances.

The magical Bromance well fitted in an enigmatic story, enacted to delightful perfection. Kai Po Che culminates into a celebration of good cinema. Watch it for Abhishek Kapoor’s engaging narrative and the power packed performances of the actors.

We are looking at New Bollywood, evolving exactly as it should. Stirringly topical, solid in the comment it leaves, and yet never losing focus on the classic entertainment formula that has forever driven our commercial cinema. What’s more, it sets the stage for three new exciting talents in the bargain too.

KAI PO CHE is brimming with solid content. Watch it for the spirit it is made in. Watch it because it’s the kind of cinema that pushes the boundaries. Watch it because movies like KAI PO CHE need to be encouraged. A film that deserves an ovation!

Kapoor’s craft lies in the fact that though he has picked an unusual premise, he manages to keep his audience engaged throughout. He builds a beautiful canvas but doesn’t make it formulaic at any point.

If you are tired of watching no-brainer masala movies then give a chance to this heart-warming tale about passion, friendship and forgiveness. Iit might strengthen your faith that good Hindi cinema isn’t dead yet.

KAI PO CHE is poetry in motion. After ROCK ON, Abhishek Kapoor has reminded us yet again, what a master story-teller he is.

Director Abhishek Kapoor has drawn some amazing performances from a lesser experienced cast and taken a book which may not have originally held all the classic ingredients for a commercial film and has delivered one of India’s finest films, perhaps since Udaan.

It really can’t get any better than this, can it? The year has just begun and we have one of the finest, most vibrant and fulfilling coming-of-age films in living memory.

Kai PO Che! doesn’t shirk from portraying the grey, the black and the complex. But most of all, it doesn’t sit on the fence; it neither shies away from blaming nor from forgiving. And for a Hindi film, that’s quite something.

Through the duration of the film, you feel you are watching but a film, and are not as drawn into the lives of these characters in the story as the maker might have intended you to be. Kai Po Che! is a good film, but not a great film.

There has not been a single stone left unturned to capture even the nitty-gritty of the book for the film’s screenplay. That is where the real beauty of ‘Kai Po Che’ lies – in the details!