The town of Kota, Rajasthan, known as “Coaching ka Haridwar,” serves as the backdrop for the narrative of the film “All India Rank.” This is the location where two promising teenagers, portrayed by Bodhisattva Sharma and Samta Sudiksha, converge to gear up for one of the most competitive exams in India—the IIT entrance examinations.
The movie “All India Rank,” rated U/A for Comedy and Drama, is directed by Varun Grover, who is known for his distinct writing in projects such as “Masaan” and “Sacred Games.” The film garners a decent 3 out of 5 rating for its insightful portrayal of the dreams and pressures faced by aspirants in a competitive world.
In a striking physics lecture scene, an interesting parallel is drawn by the teacher, played by the highly regarded Sheeba Chaddha, drawing comparisons between HC Verma, a renowned physics author, and Bollywood director Mansoor Khan, noting their shared IIT heritage. This reference extends beyond their individual accomplishments to touch upon several notable IIT alumni who have excelled in diverse fields like politics, entertainment, and administration, perhaps overshadowing their contributions to science and engineering.
Grover’s film opens with a tune reminiscent of the ’80s pop era, instilling a sense of nostalgia. The movie, situated in the heart of the ’90s, serves as a poignant reminder of simpler times. It’s a time capsule of pop culture references, from candy ads to sports posters evoking a time when pop-culture was intimately connected to everyone’s life.
An STD booth run by the protagonist’s family—once a common sight in India—may confuse today’s generations. The father’s role represents another relic of the past, being a divisional engineer in the telecom department. These fuller details add a layer of warmth and texture to the film.
The narrative is set against the backdrop of India’s liberalized economy of the ’90s, opening up a floodgate of foreign products for the Indian consumer. However, a colossal flip side of this economic boom was the hyper-competitive race for coveted seats in IITs, accompanied by the associated coaching culture in cities like Kota. The education system morphed into a result-oriented factory, focusing on rote learning and creating a stressful environment for the students and their families, all chasing the lure of high starting salaries and secured futures—although only a select few would succeed.
Varun Grover, who turns director with this personal and heartfelt debut, skilfully weaves his familiarity with IIT coaching culture into the film’s fabric. The debate around whether to create from personal experience or explore new themes is one that resonates throughout the movie. Since the release of the widely acclaimed “3 Idiots” in 2009, the IIT preparation landscape has been a subject of focus across various media, including TVF’s “Kota Factory,” Biswa Kalyan Rath’s “Laakhon Mein Ek,” and the documentary “Alma Matters” on Netflix, each offering a unique perspective.
“All India Rank” exudes a sense of déjà vu as it visits the familiar terrain of the IIT coaching world, not through a compelling plot, but through a nuanced look into the lives of the characters. The movie’s pacing may falter in the middle sections, but its strength lies in its ability to draw audiences into the personal struggles and momentous life phase of its teen protagonists—ranging from academic pressure to the thrilling confusions of youth.
While the film showcases Grover’s versatility as a content creator, it’s the story’s genuine and sincere-nature that captures the viewers, making them reflect on how rites of passage are universal experiences that transcend academia and enter the realm of personal growth. As the film concludes, one cannot help but ponder the changing times, while also finding amusement in how aspirations evolve, with a new generation of IIT aspirants dreaming, not just of academic success, but also creative pursuits like stand-up comedy.
Indeed, “All India Rank” emerges as more than a comedy-drama; it’s a tribute to the ever-evolving aspirations of India’s youth, framed within the honest and sometimes unforgiving walls of academic coaching institutes.
