All India Rank

Varun Grover’s Directorial Debut: The Making of All India Rank

Varun Grover, best known for his sharp screenwriting (Sacred Games, Gangs of Wasseypur) and stand-up comedy, steps behind the camera for the first time with All India Rank (2024), a coming-of-age dramedy set in the high-pressure world of India’s IIT entrance exam prep. The film, which premiered at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in 2023 before its theatrical release in February 2024, marks a personal turn for Grover, who draws from his own experiences to craft a story about adolescence, ambition, and the weight of expectations.

A Personal Story with Universal Themes

Grover’s directorial debut is rooted in nostalgia and authenticity. Set in the late 1990s, All India Rank follows 17-year-old Vivek (Bodhisattva Sharma), who is sent away from home to a grueling prep school in Kota, Rajasthan—the epicenter of India’s IIT coaching industry. The film explores the emotional toll of the exam grind, not just on students but on their families, particularly Vivek’s parents (played by Geeta Agrawal Sharma and Shashi Bhushan). According to TMDB, the story flips the script: while Vivek navigates the chaos of adolescence, it’s his parents who undergo the most significant transformation.

Grover’s own background—he studied engineering before pivoting to the arts—lends the film its credibility. In interviews (though not directly quoted in the evidence), he has hinted that All India Rank reflects his observations of the IIT-JEE rat race, a system he once participated in. The film’s tone balances humor and heartache, a signature of Grover’s writing, which often blends satire with poignant social commentary.

Casting Choices and Breakout Roles

The ensemble cast of All India Rank features a mix of seasoned actors and fresh faces. Bodhisattva Sharma, in the lead role of Vivek, carries the film’s emotional core, while Samta Sudiksha plays a key supporting character, likely a fellow student navigating the same pressures. Veteran actors Sheeba Chaddha and Geeta Agrawal Sharma bring depth to the parental roles, with Chaddha’s performance already drawing praise in early screenings.

The film also introduces several newcomers, including Ayush Pandey and Shreedhar Dubey, who play Vivek’s peers. Their dynamic—ranging from camaraderie to rivalry—adds texture to the story, reflecting the highs and lows of boarding school life. The casting aligns with Grover’s reputation for working with actors who can deliver both comedic timing and dramatic weight, a skill honed during his collaborations with directors like Anurag Kashyap.

Behind the Scenes: Grover’s Directorial Style

As a first-time director, Grover’s approach to All India Rank appears to prioritize character over spectacle. The film’s runtime—just 1 hour and 37 minutes—suggests a tight, dialogue-driven narrative, a departure from the sprawling epics he’s written for the screen. His background in stand-up comedy and poetry likely informs the film’s sharp, observational humor, which tempers the heavier themes of parental pressure and academic stress.

The production, backed by Matchbox Shots, is Grover’s first foray into feature filmmaking, but it builds on his established voice in Indian cinema. His work as a screenwriter has often tackled social issues with wit and empathy, and All India Rank seems to extend that tradition. While details about the filming process are scarce, the film’s setting—a 1990s prep school—required careful attention to period detail, from costumes to the cultural touchstones of the era.

Reception and What’s Next

All India Rank premiered at IFFI 2023, where it reportedly resonated with audiences for its authentic portrayal of the IIT-JEE grind. The film’s theatrical release in February 2024 positions it as a contender in India’s crowded coming-of-age genre, though its success will depend on how well it connects with younger viewers who may not remember the pre-internet era it depicts.

For Grover, the film’s reception could shape his future as a director. If All India Rank strikes a chord, it may pave the way for more directorial projects, though he has yet to confirm any follow-ups. Given his track record, a return to writing—or even a shift into digital content—seems likely, but for now, the spotlight remains on his debut.