Varun Grover’s directorial debut, All India Rank, guides viewers through the complex adulthood journey of Vivek Singh. He is the 17-year-old protagonist whose personal dreams clash with his family’s aspirations in the socio-economic landscape of 1990s India. However, since the film climaxed on an uncompleted note, fans are left wondering what happened in the end. So, let’s dive into whether Vivek passed the IIT entrance exam or not and what happened to his love story with Sarika.
What happened in Varun Grover’s first film?
The film’s opening sets the stage with a haunting question, a familiar echo in the minds of many adolescents, “Kuchh soche ho? Aage ka kya plan hai? (Have you thought something? What’s the plan ahead?)” For 17-year-old Vivek (Bodhisattva Sharma), this question becomes an anxiety-inducing question. Vivek’s father, RK Singh (Shashi Bhushan), embodies the archetypal middle-class parent. He is fixated on the singular goal of seeing his son crack the JEE and secure a coveted spot at an IIT.
So Vivek, a native of Lucknow, is sent to Kota for intensive coaching to prepare for the IIT entrance exams. The story unfolds as Vivek transforms from a loner, uncertain about his future, to a young man, finding his place. The film captures the 1990s, marked by liberalization and pop trivia.
In the first half of All India Rank, Grover introduces a memorable scene featuring Bundela Madam (Sheeba Chaddha), a teacher at an IIT coaching center. Sarika (Samta Sudiksha), a student, showcases a genuine love for ideas, emphasizing the possibility of education beyond exams and ranks. This scene, like the film itself, celebrates the quiet joys and internal revelations that can occur even amid intense preparation.
Hence, when viewers go on a journey with the protagonist, they realize he is doing all this just for the sake of his father. He has no intention of becoming an engineer. However, he tries to give his all to pass the IIT exam.
Additionally, All India Rank introduces a group of friends – Rinku (Ayush Pandey), Chandan (Neeraj Singh), and Sarika (Samta Sudhiksha). These three inject life into Vivek’s otherwise grueling routine. So, as the film progresses, Rinku and Chandan grow distant as competition grows. Meanwhile, Vivek gets closer to Sarika, both ultimately confessing their teenage love for each other.
All India Rank ending: Did Vivek pass the IIT entrance exam?
After a series of events, Vivek goes back to his hometown. He realizes how he has changed as a person and observes the same with his parents. Nonetheless, he finally sets off for the life-changing event, which is the IIT entrance exam.
While writing his answers, he gets stuck on a question he initially equated his life to in the film, i.e., Euler’s equation. Vivek is seen trying to remember the answer, and as panic is taking over, he is taken back to a poignant scene in the film. He and his friends were discussing what they wanted from their lives, and Vivek did not have an answer.
However, during the exam, he realizes, just like Euler’s equation, that his life also consists of special memories, but it doesn’t have to culminate in something substantial. Just like e^(i*pi) + 1 = 0, his becoming an IITian didn’t matter as much as the moments and people did.
All India Rank has an open-ended climax, not showcasing whether Vivek passed the exam or not, which was exactly what the film intended.