Kaun Kitney Paani Mein

Nila Madhab Panda's 'Kaun Kitne Paani Mein' is a Surprise! This Satarical Comedy is well-written, simplistically directed & superbly acted. Certainly, an overlooked film!

'Kaun Kitne Paani Mein' wryly expresses the changes in hierarchy, caste and the power equation when water, the most important resource, vanishes and how the oppressed become the oppressors. The story is told through two villages which were split based on caste and money but never through water. In the current situation, through reversals of fortune, the old world order has been broken and water becomes the biggest game changer. It has a domino effect on everything from social order to economics, even love and marriage. The film takes a satirical look at respect for resources, caste divides, and rural life against the backdrop of a traditional love story but all set in a realm where water is the new currency.

'Kaun Kitne Paani Mein' is strongly structured. I was connected by the eccentric characters, be it the penniless raja, his henpecked son or the aspiring politician along-with his superbly sly daughter. Nila Madhab Panda's Direction is simple, but effectively done. The Writing is crisp, although the concluding moments are a bit underwhelming.

Performance-Wise: Kunal Kapoor, Radhika Apte, Saurabh Shukla & Gulshan Grover are up for vie top honors. Kapoor, a highly underrated actor, pitches in a natural performance, enacting a very non-heroic role with believability. Apte is a marvel. Not only is she gorgeous, but an actress to reckon with. She's flat-out-fabulous! Shukla & Grover are seasoned players & hence, they don't fail to mesmerize. They are stupendous as feuding rivals, who easily steal the entire narrative.

On the whole, 'Kaun Kitne Paani Mein' needs to be watched.