Critics rating: 2.5 Stars

Cast:  Kunal Kapoor, Radhika Apte, Saurabh Shukla, Gulshan Grover

Direction: Nila Madhab Panda

Produced: One Drop Foundation Eleeanora images Pvt Ltd

Written: Nila Madhab Panda, Deepak Venkateshan

Genre: Drama

Duration: 112 Mins

Water is a scarce commodity in the village of Upri, where the high-castes reside. So is enterprise, which explains why the land lies fallow whereas the low-caste village of Bairi thrives because of their agricultural know-how. Both villages were once together, a wall dividing them after the sister of the ruling king fell for a low caste villager, the affair leading to their death.

Monarchy and casteism may have been abolished but the biases prevail and so does the animosity due to the death of the lovers years ago. Taking the reins from his father, Braj Kishore Singh Deo (Saurabh Shukla) is still respected for his erstwhile title, even as the parched village lives in debt and uses water as a system of barter. His son Raj (Kunal Kapoor) is unhappy with the state of affairs.

In a bid to put him to good use, Braj Kishore fabricates a feud with his son to send him into enemy territory to woo Paro (Radhika Apte), the agriculturist daughter of the village headman and aspiring politico, Kharu Pehelwaan (Gulshan Grover). Raj has to win their trust, impregnate the daughter and find a way to negotiate water for his own village (a scheme that makes perfect sense in the drunken Braj Kishore’s head).

Contrary to the trailers, the film is more than a boy wooing a girl for his village’s sake. There is the additional complication of water politics, superstitions and the greatest impediment of all – love. That usually throws a spanner in all the works.

Kaun Kitne Paani Mein is a better film than it appears. Saurabh Shukla gives a splendid performance as the frustrated has-been monarch, who cannot sell his village because there is no water. His banter with his wizened servant (Robin Das) forms a consistent thread of entertainment in the story.

Gulshan Grover does not have as meaty a role in comparison but plays an affectionate father and a furious sarpanch with equal aplomb.

Kunal Kapoor and Radhika Apte back up the story with believable performances and a fair romantic track.
Kaun Kitne Paani Mein has some disarming instances where silence is used to good comic effect and a lot of thought has gone into framing certain shots (especially the scene which introduces Braj Kishore, as an example for both). The sets also look earthy and authentic, most notably Braj Kishore’s worn-down haveli which once must have seen days of glory.

Not a perfect film by much of a stretch, Kaun Kitne Paani Mein is only to be watched with an open mind and will appeal to an audience not seeking an out-and-out masala movie.