Varun Grover Unveils First Poster Of His Directorial Debut All India Rank

Comedian and lyricist Varun Grover recently revealed the poster and release date of his directorial debut film titled All India Rank. The film, set to release on February 23, features an ensemble cast including Bodhisattva Sharma, Samta Sudiksha, Shashi Bhushan, Geeta Agrawal, and Sheeba Chaddha in pivotal roles. The caption accompanying the announcement describes the film as a coming-of-age story set in the 90s.

He also announced the release date of the film’s trailer— February 5, 2024. “Unveiling the poster of my directorial debut, ALL INDIA RANK. A coming of age story about friendships, love, and competitive exams, set in the 90s,” the post read.

Take a look at it here:

A post shared by Varun Grover (@vidushak)

The journey of All India Rank began with its global premiere at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam in February 2023, where it served as the closing film. Following that, the movie made significant appearances at the MAMI Film Festival and the Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF), earning the honour of being the opening film at both events.

According to the official DIFF website, All India Rank follows the story of 17-year-old Vivek, portrayed by Bodhisattva Sharma. Sent away from his home, Vivek finds himself at a prep school, where he diligently prepares for the highly competitive Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance examination. In the challenging environment of the prep school, Vivek grapples with homesickness and confusion while interacting with fellow IIT aspirants. As he observes the dynamic shifts in relationships and friendships, he also reflects on the intricate nuances of failure, all while reminiscing about his dysfunctional yet tension-free childhood.

Meanwhile, back in his hometown, Vivek’s middle-aged parents grapple with several personal challenges. These include the presence of a local miscreant making lewd calls from their family-owned public telephone booth, a confrontational boss in the office, and overwhelming anxiety about Vivek’s potential failure in the IIT entrance exam.

The juxtaposition of Vivek’s experiences at the prep school and the struggles faced by his parents back home adds layers of complexity to the narrative, offering an emotional exploration of familial dynamics and the pursuit of academic excellence.

A post shared by Dharamshala International Film Festival (@diff.india)

Varun Grover, who is in the directorial chair for the first time, has been a successful screenplay writer, stand-up comedian, and lyricist based in Mumbai. His debut feature as a screenplay writer, Masaan, graced the Un Certain Regard section at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, earning accolades such as the FIPRESCI Jury and Promising Future prizes.

He has also bagged a National Film Award for his lyrical contributions to the film Dum Laga Ke Haisha. He also wrote songs for cult albums like Gangs of Wasseypur, Fan, Udta Punjab, and more recently, Monica O My Darling.