All India Rank is the directorial debut of Varun Grover, a renowned writer and comedian who has penned acclaimed films like Masaan and Sonchiriya. The film is set in the late 1990s and follows the journey of Vivek (Bodhisattva Sharma), a 17-year-old boy who is sent to a coaching institute in Kota to prepare for the IIT entrance exam, the most coveted and competitive test in India. The film explores the pressures, challenges, and dilemmas faced by Vivek and his fellow aspirants, as they struggle to balance their dreams, expectations, and realities.
All India Rank: Plot
The film begins with Vivek’s father, RK Singh (Shashi Bhushan), a government employee, who is determined to see his son get into IIT, the premier engineering institute in India. He believes that IIT is the only way for Vivek to escape his mediocre life and achieve success and respect. He enrolls Vivek in a reputed coaching institute in Kota, where thousands of students flock every year to crack the IIT exam. Vivek, who has always been a bright and obedient student, reluctantly agrees to go along with his father’s plan, even though he is not sure what he wants to do with his life.
In Kota, Vivek finds himself in a new and unfamiliar environment, where he has to deal with the rigorous curriculum, the cut-throat competition, the strict discipline, and the loneliness of being away from home. He also meets a diverse group of fellow students, who have their own stories, motivations, and aspirations. Some of them are genuinely passionate about engineering, some are driven by parental pressure, some are looking for a way out of their poverty, and some are just clueless and confused. Vivek befriends Ishaan (Vidit Singh), a cheerful and optimistic boy who helps him adjust to the Kota life. He also develops a crush on Sarika (Samta Sudiksha), a smart and confident girl who is one of the top rankers in the institute.
As the months pass by, Vivek realizes that the IIT dream is not as easy or as fulfilling as he thought. He faces academic stress, emotional turmoil, and ethical dilemmas. He starts to question his own abilities, interests, and choices. He also learns that the coaching industry is not as noble or as transparent as it claims to be. He discovers the dark side of the IIT craze, which involves corruption, exploitation, and manipulation. He witnesses the toll that the exam takes on the mental health and well-being of the students, some of whom resort to cheating, drugs, or even suicide. He also realizes that the IIT exam is not the only or the ultimate measure of one’s intelligence, talent, or worth.
All India Rank: Performance
The film boasts of a talented and natural cast, who deliver authentic and nuanced performances. Bodhisattva Sharma is impressive as Vivek, the protagonist who undergoes a transformation from a naive and obedient boy to a mature and independent young man. He portrays Vivek’s confusion, frustration, and growth with conviction and sensitivity. Samta Sudiksha is charming as Sarika, the love interest who is not just a pretty face, but a strong and smart girl who knows what she wants. She brings a spark and a depth to her character, who is not a typical Bollywood heroine, but a realistic and relatable girl. Vidit Singh is delightful as Ishaan, the friend who is the comic relief and the moral support of the film. He adds humor and warmth to the film, with his witty dialogues and expressive gestures.
Shashi Bhushan is effective as RK Singh, the father who is the antagonist and the catalyst of the film. He portrays the father’s ambition, pride, and stubbornness, without making him a caricature or a villain. He also shows the father’s vulnerability, guilt, and love, which make him a human and a sympathetic character. Sheeba Chaddha is endearing as Vivek’s mother, who is the voice of reason and the source of comfort in the film. She plays the mother’s role with grace and subtlety, without being melodramatic or cliched. She also shares a lovely chemistry with Sharma, which makes their scenes touching and believable. The rest of the cast, including the supporting actors who play the teachers, the hostel warden, the other students, and the cameo appearances by Varun Grover himself and other comedians, are also well-cast and well-acted. They add flavor and authenticity to the film, with their distinct personalities and accents.
All India Rank: Analysis
All India Rank is a film that offers a realistic and nostalgic glimpse into the lives of the IIT aspirants in the late 90s. The film captures the mood and the atmosphere of the era, with its references to pop culture, politics, and technology. In this partly autobiographical work, Grover tries to portray the life of a middle-class family and succeeds to a large extent.
The film also depicts the struggles and the aspirations of the students and the parents, who are caught in the trap of the education system and the society. The film shows the harsh realities and the hidden truths of the coaching industry, which exploits the dreams and the fears of the young minds. The film also questions the stereotypes and the norms of the culture, which equates success and happiness with getting into IIT.
Cinematographer Archana Ghangrekar’s work will transport you to Kota and Lucknow in the 1970s. The songs fit the mood of the film well, Varun Grover preserves his image as a brilliant writer with the lyrics.
The film is a dramedy, which balances humor and drama in its storytelling. The film is a well-written and well-directed film.
But film gets too familiar at times especially at a time when it comes after 12th Fail and shoes like Kota Factory, Aspirants. The film does not seem to offer anything very new or exciting to the audience, even though it’s very much film of its own.
All India Rank: Verdict
All India Rank is a nostalgic and nuanced depiction of the aspirations and the realities of the students and the parents, who are caught in the rat race of the education system. It is a film that is a honest and heartfelt expression of the writer and the director, who have poured their own semi biographical experiences and insights into the film.
The film is not perfect, and it has its flaws and limitations. Sometimes it feels uneven and too forcibly nostalgic. It also strives to be a great film but by cramming too much with too little time, it remains slightly superficial. But the film is honest, and it has its strengths and merits. It is a film that deserves to be watched for its sincere attempt.
All India Rank: Rating
Critics rating: 3/5
Box office rating: 0.5/5
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