Kaun Kitney Paani Mein Hindi Movie
The importance of something is often realized when you run out of it. Be it luck or water. Nila Madhab Panda, the man who directed I am Kalam, is back with a film that explores a place where water becomes so scarce that it could turn into currency!
The scene is of course not far from possible. In recent times we have often come across internet memes making fun of price of onions and how they could be used as money. And looking at the way we are headed it might not be a long shot when we might see water memes appearing.
Kaun Kitne Paani Hai is a satire set in a fictional village in Odisha. A village divided into two due to a brawl years back. Years since a wall was built to ensure both sides - Upri and Bairi - do not mingle, things have changed. Upri ruled by Kishore Singhdeo (Saurabh Shukla) is facing severe water crisis while people of Bairi, headed by Kharu Pehelwan (Gulshan Grover) have been pretty sensible by usage of irrigation. Reeling under deficit, Singhdeo plots to get water from Bairi to his village. He sends his son Prince Raj (Kunal Kapoor) to woo Kharu Pehelwan's daughter Paro (Radhika Apte). Things are obviously set for turbulence as the two young people fall in love genuinely.
From being a great idea to being put into screenplay, there is beyond doubt much loss of impact. A lazily warmed up scenes and quickly wrapped up conflict flow does not quite please. A sense of discontent seeps in. But never so much that your attention deviates into something else. That's because of some kickass performances and dialogues. And of course some uproarious scenes!
Saurabh Shukla is at the peak. He is hilarious. Radhika Apte, who was seen just last week in Manjhi, sparkles yet again. Leading man Kunal Kapoor, one actor who has hardly gotten much to gloat as a career is Bollywood, does decently well.
Also working are the settings. Panda has shown understanding of rural lifestyle in his earlier films too and he does not disappoint here either - even as he creates a fictional setting.
The film works primarily for its idea - how far are you willing to go for water. While the story chosen by Panda to bring out his idea is funny and entertaining, it could very well be a far bloodier seen in the real world. Watch Kaun Kitne Paani Mein for some entertainment while it might manage to make you think and wonder if you could face water shortage that bad some day. Time to be sensible, because this film is!
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