Pragya Kapoor on 13 Years of Kai Po Che: ‘Sushant’s Character Connects the Deepest’

As Kai Po Che! completed 13 years on Sunday, producer Pragya Kapoor revisited memories from the film and shared that the character she connected with the most was Ishaan, portrayed by late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Marking the occasion, Pragya hosted an interactive AMA (Ask Me Anything) session on Instagram, where she reflected on the journey of making the film and the emotions attached to it.

‘Everything was tough’

When asked about the most challenging scenes to shoot, Pragya admitted that the entire process was demanding, especially the cricket sequences. “Everything was tough! The cricket scenes were very tough because it was extremely hot and the sun was melting down, and it had to be covered from a lot of angles,” she shared, recalling the physically exhausting outdoor shoots.

First film, unforgettable memories

Calling it her first experience on a movie set, Pragya said she was in awe of the filmmaking process. From witnessing scenes come alive to watching them take shape in the edit room, the journey was deeply fulfilling.

She fondly remembered the daily breakfast buffets on set and described seeing the final cut come together as one of the most satisfying moments of her career.

Why Ishaan resonates

Speaking about her favourite character, Pragya said Ishaan — Sushant’s role — continues to resonate with her the most. “He reminds me that belief is what turns big dreams into reality,” she said, highlighting the optimism and passion the character embodied.

She also recalled the emotional first screening of the film for close friends and members of the industry. Overwhelmed by the warmth and positive reactions, Pragya said she couldn’t hold back her tears.

“There was so much warmth in that moment that I couldn’t hold back my emotions. I remember happy tears rolling down my cheeks and feeling grateful for everything the film had become,” she added.

Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, the coming-of-age drama also starred Rajkummar Rao and Amit Sadh in pivotal roles. The film was adapted from Chetan Bhagat’s bestselling novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life and revolved around three friends navigating ambition, friendship and social change in Ahmedabad.