What Is the Story About?
Jio Cinema’s ‘Kacchey Limbu’ centres on siblings Akash (Rajat Barmecha) and Aditi (Radhika Madan), who face the typical Indian problem of parents deciding their future careers for them. It doesn’t matter to Daddy dearest (Mahesh Thakur) that Akash wants to be a professional cricketer, and Aditi, a fashion designer. Finally, in a quirky turn of events, the local gully cricket tournament decides their fate for them.
Performances?
Kacchey Limbu features some delightful performances, both from the primary actors, as well as the motley crew that makes up the supporting cast. Radhika Madan as Aditi is easily the cream of the lot, as she showcases her acting versatility in myriad situations – emotional, hilarious, eccentric and more. Rajat Barmecha is good, but miles away from his Udaan level. He’s also curiously listless throughout the film, mostly just going through the motions.
Ayush Mehra is quite likeable as Kabir, who has a massive crush on Aditi and a massive chip on the shoulder where Akash is concerned. Mahesh Thakur is suitably typical in the boomer father’s role. The supporting cast is all heart, especially the outcast security guy, the commentator and the kid.
Analysis
Kacchey Limbu is a film that’s all heart but lacks the cinematic flourish of, say, a ‘Lagaan’ or an ‘Iqbal’ – that leaves viewers mesmerised or moved or both. Though Kacchey Limbu is heartwarming and honest, it falters in delivering the coveted goosebumps moments – moments that turn an average film into a memorable one in the viewers’ mind. Finally, Kacchey Limbu ends up being an average film after all.
Akash wants to play professional cricket, but his father wants him to take up a cushy corporate job. Aditi dreams of being a fashion designer, but again, daddy dearest pins hopes of her getting into medical school. Aditi idolizes older brother Akash, to the point that she spends her childhood years playing cricket with her ‘Bhai’, instead of enrolling for girlie things such as Bharatnatyam like her mother wants her to.
Matters come to a head at their home when Akash gets an opportunity to be the face of a new cricket league, but his father pressurises him to accept the job opportunity coming his way. That is when Aditi comes up with a quirky idea – she’ll form her own gully cricket team to compete against her champion brother’s team in the annual cricket tournament of their society. If her rookie team, made up of “kacchey limbu”, wins, Akash will have to take up the job. If not, then he can do what his heart desires. For those who don’t know, rookie players (in any game being played – even hide-n-seek) are called kacchey limbu in Mumbai lingo.
To come back to the story, the sequences where Aditi puts together her motley band of rookie cricketers are quite funny to watch – not laugh-out-loud funny, but the kind that will evoke an involuntary smile. The cricket tournament that takes up most of the second half of the film is a mixed bag, engaging in parts but lacklustre on the whole.
The same can be said for the entire film too – it is engaging in parts but lacklustre on the whole. Like we said earlier, it lacks cinematic flourish, as also the crucial ‘wow’ factor. The screenplay too gets messy at times, leaving viewers scratching their heads on the goings-on in the film.
That said, the underlying message that the film wants to convey is heart-touching and honest, but that’s about it. The ‘follow your heart and dreams’ messaging is usually a safe bet for indie films like this one, as far as audience taste is considered. However, Kacchey Limbu has a disappointingly bland storyline, underlined by equally bland storytelling.
To sum it up, Kacchey Limbu is good as a time-pass weekend watch, provided you keep your expectations in check. Don’t be fooled by its Toronto International Film Festival debut tag. The film is an average watch, nothing more.
Music and Other Departments?
Anshul Takkar’s music is passable – nothing to write home about. Likewise for Piyush Puty’s cinematography, which is average at best. Mitesh Soni’s editing could do with some polish.
Highlights?
Radhika Madan’s performance and characterisation.
Drawbacks?
A curiously listless Rajat Barmecha
Lacks cinematic flourish or a ‘wow’ element
Bland story and direction
Did I Enjoy It?
Not much. Was hoping to like it more
Will You Recommend It?
Again, not much.
Kacchey Limbu Movie Review by Binged Bureau
