By Firdaus Ali
If you’ve never heard about underarm cricket, this is your chance to get acquainted!
For, Kacche Limbu, not only gives you a lesson in underarm cricket, but also takes you on a journey of big dreams and self-discovery.
Director Shubham Yogi’s feature bursts with enough colour, comedy, and camaraderie to appeal to the whole family. Little wonder then, that the film filled with cricket nostalgia, sibling rivalry and middle-class magical neighbourhoods, received a standing ovation at its world premiere (Gala Presentations) at TIFF 2022.
Featuring Radhika Madan, Rajat Barmecha and Ayush Mehra, this coming-of-age film, unravels the quest of middle-class siblings to follow their dreams.
“We never expected our film to be shown at TIFF, so it feels very surreal for all of us, “gushes debutant director Yogi, along with Kacche Limbu’s ensemble cast Radhika Madan, Rajat Barmecha and Ayush Mehra.
Gathered cosily at NFDC’s Indian Pavilion lounge at Toronto’s Hyatt Regency, the foursome is basking in the glory of the film’s resounding success and extremely excited about the attention Kacche Limbu is receiving from critics and film buffs alike.
The film team are part of a coming-of-age film, that scores and hits a home run with cine goers. Set in Mumbai, director Yogi’s feature debut follows a pair of siblings who find themselves on competing cricket teams as they struggle to balance familial loyalty with the pursuit of their passions.
“Kacche Limbu is a film I have lived with, for a long time. It’s all about living your dream. The film is testimony that you can dream big, and your dreams do come true,” says Yogi, his smile speaking volumes of the success the film has received at TIFF.
Centred on gali (street) cricket in India, Kacchey Limbu is the story of India’s aspirational youth displaying courage to dream big and find their place under the sun. The film manages to touch upon gender barriers, middle-class melodrama amidst the cacophony of city life along the way.
Produced by Jio Studios and Mango People Media, the film brings to light the underarm premier league matches held in public parks and noisy neighbourhoods in Mumbai, where matches are played under dim streetlights and amateur cricket players greeted with raucous commentary from spectators and commentators alike.
Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world, played or followed by 2.5 billion people. But it’s often a man’s game. As Bend It Like Beckham and Love & Basketball did before it, Kacchey Limbu puts a talented woman at the centre of play, sparking a contest with much more than the final score at stake. Aditi (Radhika Madan) dreams about being a fashion designer, though her father insists she study medicine.
Showcasing the irresistible charm of Indian rising star, Madan (who has earlier appeared in films like Pataakha, Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota, Angrezi Medium, Shiddat and the TV series Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi), was Yogi’s first choice for the role of Aditi.
“Kacche Limbu is a special film as it talks about youth, especially girls having the right to dream and dream big. I played cricket as a kid in Delhi but moved away from it. The film brought me back to my love for cricket and all the nostalgia around it, “adds Madan. The actor who has an astounding 3.5 million followers on Instagram, said that she and the director went to an underarm cricket tournament to pick up their playing style.
Akash (Rajat Barmecha) plays big brother to Aditi, whose one and only love is cricket. He drags himself to corporate job interviews to please his dad, despite being accepted into a new cricket league. His acting prowess of playing cool, while consumed by the fire of cricket, leave viewers amazed.
A family bet leads him to compete with Aditi, who decides to throw her hat in the ring and start her own team, assembling a motley crew of players who might not look like cricket stars but just may have what it takes to win.
Actor Barmecha, who started his acting career with prominent ad commercials, said that he was all set for a backpacking trip when he got the message that he had been picked for the role of Akash in the movie. “It was a role of a lifetime, and of course I had to grab it,” adds Barmecha, who essayed the award-winning role of the 17-year-old Rohan for the memorable film Udaan.
Barmecha was also seen in award-winning short film The Finishing Line as well as made his presence felt in Indian web series Girl in the City and Love, Lust and Confusion.
However, a truly surprise element in the film, comes in the form of Kabir, played by actor Ayush Mehra. It’s a character of an underdog making it big, due to his resolve and inner strength. Mehra adds a certain spin and chutzpah to his character with funny innuendos and tender moments, and you can almost see audiences smile and cheer each time he appears on screen.
Mehra made is acting debut with the Hindi film, Isi Life Mein and has appeared in Indian TV series Love by Chance, Yeh Hai Aashiqui as well as web series Mom & Co, Call My Agent: Bollywood, Life Love Siyaapa and How to Fall in Love, among others.
Having a strong presence on Instagram with over a million followers, Mehra is a gaming and social media addict and enjoys caffeine in equal measure. Definitely fun to be around with and a talent to watch out for!
Propelled by high-energy music and a bevy of loveable characters, Kacchey Limbu is a vibrant story of teamwork and self-discovery. Whether it’s about playing an old sport in a new way, challenging sexist traditions, or changing your mind about what you want to be, this is a film about embracing possibility — and playing not to win, but for the pure pleasure of the game.
While audiences may compare the film’s theme to Lagaan, also showcased at TIFF earlier, Yogi, who has also scripted the film, is quick to point out that Kacche Limbu is different. It’s a multi-layered film set in the backdrop of urban India amidst the landscape of delightful city life.
A lawyer by profession, Yogi chose to venture into filmmaking and started his career assisting Anurag Basu in films like Barfi and Jagga Jasoos. “Practising law was never my dream. And Kacche Limbu is metaphorical in a way. It’s a dream come true for me. I truly believe that each person has their place under the sun. If you follow your inner voice, you will soon find it,” he adds.
A self-taught director, Yogi did not have the big bucks to pay the high fees associated with film schools and dished up his learnings from the Internet. The creator of TV series Minus One, Yogi has written and directed Hindi shorts including: Suno, Glitch and Unvinvited as well as a Marathi short Kaande Pohe.
With the official release is being planned, the film director, producers and cast are busy celebrating and looking glitzy and dapper for their first time at TIFF.
After all, it’s a film that has truly hit a home run with Toronto audiences!