Critical reception The film was critically acclaimed by Indian critics but was met with a rather mixed reception from critics overseas.
India Sukanya Verma for
Rediff.com gave 4/5 stars and says Abhishek Kapoor's clarity of vision makes
Kai Po Che!, the adaptation of a mediocre novel, so irresistible.
Taran Adarsh of
Bollywood Hungama gave it 4 out of 5 and stated that the film is brimming with solid content. Meena Iyer of
The Times of India gave it 4 out of 5 stars saying, "
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." Resham Sengar of
Zee News gave 4/5 stars stating, "The magic of the film lies in its details!"
Saibal Chatterjee of
NDTV gave 3.5 stars saying, "
Kai Po Che! is a competently crafted, well acted and consistently engaging drama that makes its point without sinking into preachy paroxysms".
Shubhra Gupta of
The Indian Express gave 3.5/5 stars adding, "Abhishek Kapoor uses
Kai Po Che! as an apt metaphor and crafts a lovely, emotional film on abiding friendship and the values that make life worth living."
India Today gave 3.5 stars.
Khalid Mohamed of
Deccan Chronicle gave 3 out of 5 stars and stated that it is a good film.
Deccan Herald stated that it is a warm film while
Live Mint said that
Kai Po Che! is a well-crafted entertainer.
Anupama Chopra of
Hindustan Times gave the movie 4 out of 5 stars saying that "
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." Rajeev Masand of
IBN Live gave the movie 4/5 stars saying that "It's only February, but one of the year's best films has arrived".
The Hindu stated that the film is breathless.
Overseas The film is rated 78% 'fresh' on the review site
Rotten Tomatoes. Rachel Saltz of
The New York Times wrote that the film "Mixes, not quite successfully, traditional Bollywood storytelling with something less conventional." Kate Taylor of
The Globe and Mail wrote that the film "might be the next
Bend It Like Beckham – if it did not have the sensibilities of the next
Dr. Zhivago." Bruce Demara of the
Toronto Star gave the a positive review of film 3.5 out of 4 stars. Through starting by criticizing the lengthy amount of Cricket portrayed in the film (which he describes as "a game that remains mystifying to North American audiences"), this aspect does not prevent Bruce from giving a Kai Po Che! a favorable review. He first praises the acting as what "makes film succeed – and occasionally soar", further describing it as "finely etched performances" with a "very fine cast". He further compliments the cinematography, stating that it shows "an India of contrasts, both sun-baked rural landscapes and chaotic urban scenes." He also states that the cinematography had "fine attention to detail" that provides the film "an air of authenticity". He then states that despite the film being 2-hour, the audience is "soon engaged and deeply invested in" it. He concludes his review by stating that even audiences with little knowledge of recent Indian history or the complexities of cricket "are going to find
Kai Po Che a poignant and satisfying experience." Robert Abele of the
Los Angeles Times gave it a positive review, criticizing the film for its grimness and lack of subtlety, but complimenting the performances as "enjoyably boisterous", as well as complimenting the director Abhishek Kapoor for refusing to "linger on clichés for too long". Deborah Young of
The Hollywood Reporter complimented the film for leaving the traditional Bollywood formula, by "boldly plunge[ing] into two major historical events: the 2001 earthquake that killed 18,000 people and... the violent Hindu-Muslim clashes of 2002." She also states that the Hindu-Muslim riot scene and subsequent reconciliation transforms the film into a "powerful drama" that "allows audiences to leave the theater with a tear in the eye". She later compliments the actors as "well cast" and praises the film's cinematography. Priya Joshi of the
Digital Spy gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, describing the film as an "intimate story of friendship, ambition, love, loss and redemption. She further praises the film's storytelling, scripting, and cinematography as "cornerstones to this film", while complimenting the acting and characterization. She also praised the film's storyline, describing the tension of the rising action as a "shattering crescendo" by the climax. Her concluding message further commends the film: stating "thought-provoking, moving and ultimately heart-warming,
Kai Po Che! is what great cinema is made of". Russell Edwards of
Special Broadcasting Service gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, introducing the film as "a hallmark of a well-made film is the way it can make you care about things you really care little about." He compliments the film for interlacing the film's narrative threads with real events, and concludes by stating the acting as "strong throughout". Daniel Eagan of the
Film Journal International complimented the film, praising its authenticity by mentioning that it had moved "beyond Bollywood stereotypes to a new style of Indian cinema", further stating that the film "could attract an audience outside India". He praised the use of real situations mixed with the film's narrative, particularly complimenting the film's focusing on the character development during the events rather than overuse of special effects. He appreciated the film's use of "universal themes", and praised the way India was portrayed; describing this narrative on India as "on brink of the future, and yet still divided by wealth and poverty, by class and religion". He likewise admired the acting of the film, stating that all of the main characters "give strong performances". He completes his review by stating "this is a film whose scope, detail and appealing characters deserve a wide audience."
Box office Kai Po Che! opened with a collection of on day one with limited release where it did good business in metro cities especially. After the opening day, the film showed very good growth, grossing and on its second and third days respectively to make a collection of around in its first weekend. It grossed after its first week. The film held well despite some new releases and collected around in its second weekend. It grossed in second and in its third week. The final domestic collections of the film are . After its successful run in domestic market, the film has done well overseas with a business of around $2.25 million in 17 days. Final overseas collection was US$2.325 million. == Accolades ==