'Kai Po Che!' as good as '3 Idiots': Chetan Bhagat

Best-selling author Chetan Bhagat admits that comparisons between "Kai Po Che!" and "3 Idiots", based on two of his books, are inevitable, even though they are entirely different. However, he does add that "Kai Po Che!" is as good as "3 Idiots".

"That (comparisons) will happen. (The film) '3 Idiots' was also made (based) on a book... But if you watch '3 Idiots' and 'Kai Po Che!' together, you will not feel that one is lower than the other. Both are equal. I would say 'Kai Po Che!' has been made as well as '3 Idiots'," Bhagat said in Mumbai on Thursday in an interview.

The lead actors of "Kai Po Che!" (from left) Raj Kumar Yadav, Amit Sadh and Sushant Singh Rajput

"Kai Po Che!" is the big screen adaptation of Bhagat's "The 3 Mistakes of my Life" while the plot of Aamir Khan-starrer "3 Idiots" was inspired by his bestseller "Five Point Someone".

The author is highly impressed with "Kai Po Che!", which recently premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival.

"I am more than satisfied, I am very happy. Forget Indians, you can show it to anyone, it is of such high standards. It really touches you, very emotional and there would be hardly anyone who would not be touched by the film," Bhagat said.

He says the response to the film was great, and he hopes the film is welcomed warmly here too.

"Even European audiences, who don't know about Gujarat or India, Hindu religion or Muslims, they were so moved by it and that too watching it with subtitles. I think it is going to be something else here," he added.

"Kai Po Che!", releasing Feb 22, features Raj Kumar Yadav, Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh and Amrita Puri.u00a0