Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
It’s the 1990s and seventeen-year-old Vivek is packed off to Kota, a far-off town, to coach in a prep-school for the competitive IIT entrance exams and fulfill his parents’ dream to study at the prestigious institute. There are only two possible outcomes right – he either cracks it, or comes back home in shame. Written and directed by Varun Grover, “All India Rank” is a straightforward film, which heavily relies on 90s nostalgia. So while the cinematography and music vividly capture a bygone era, the script teeters with its character interactions. A groovy track, whose beats are reminiscent of hit songs like “I am a Disco Dancer,” kicks off the opening credits for the film.
Bodhisattva Sharma earnestly portrays protagonist Vivek, an introverted teen who doesn’t want to leave home, is in tears when he bids his mother farewell, and must get on with the daily grind of preparing for a highly competitive exam. He makes friends, meets an interesting girl, some standard friendship moments unfold, and an untimely tragedy in the last half hour helps set a serious tone for a conventionally uplifting open-ended end. Sheeba Chaddha, who plays a physics teacher at the coaching center, is the only energetic character in this otherwise formulaic, lethargic, albeit well-intentioned tale.
“All India Rank” attempts to explore both sides of the coin: the primary plot focuses on Vivek’s struggle not to crumble under the pressure of his father’s expectations and the coaching school’s schedule, while the other delves into his middle-class parents’ challenges, atop which is the burden of funding Vivek’s expenses. However, neither of these plots prove particularly engaging, as they unfold at a slow pace. One of the film’s funniest moments didn’t involve any of the primary protagonists. It’s when Vivek recalls how one of his cousins faced constant tight slaps from his father over trivial matters, like forgetting to switch off the bathroom light. Anyone who grew up when “spare the rod and spoil the child” was a golden rule for all adults would relate to it.
If you’ve already seen movies that echo the themes of the Bollywood blockbuster “Three Idiots,” then “All India Rank” will seem exceedingly pale in comparison. While it does have some heartfelt moments and a bankable cast, the film is flat and lacks rhythm. However, for those who enjoy movies that depict life before the internet, “All India Rank” is a good pick for reliving the 90s, especially for Indian viewers.
You can stream “All India Rank” on Netflix.
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