Aug 24, 2007 04:26 PM
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Story: In word sentence, the story is how an underdog Hockey coach coaches his underdog Women’s Hockey team to world cup victory. In a sense, the story does appear not worthy of an entire movie being made on it. But wait, the treatment is so brilliant that all you see is pure excellence.
New Indian Cinema: The best thing about this movie is that there is a not a pint of regressive melodrama. Even, the so called best films of last year, RDB had its share of dramatically forced jingoism and LRMB has had it over-sweet moments.'Mani Ratnam'(one of the best Indian directors) has concentrated on the mass appealing stuff like yuppie romance and family drama before making his point on(with relatively less number of clichés) in themes like terrorism. A few other great directors concentrate on tragedy, scandals, violence and depression in the name of realism. So far, the best of serious Indian movies have always worked on the side track of exaggerated sentiments.
But this movie doesn't once get side tracked by sentiments. It has this no nonsense approach new to Indian cinema which keeps the viewers involved despite a predictable storyline. The inspirational dialogues are not overdone. The practice sessions are not flimsy. Real Hockey practice has been given to the actors. And Hockey has never been so thrilling. This is a Sports movie as authentic as a reality show based on a Hockey championship.
Interesting aspects: The movie does touch several pressing issues which any sport in India other than cricket faces. Chauvinism, lack of sponsor, lack of public interest and several others …
a) In a subtle way the movie makes a satirical point about the top-level decision makers in Indian National Hockey Association. These authorities lack real sportsmanship. They do not have a clue about what it is to be a real hockey player on the field. They make a cynical joke of the state of helplessness that the Indian Women's Hockey team finds itself in. In the end, true sportsmanship defects all their pessimism, chauvinism and cynicism. They stand belittled in front of that overwhelming spirit.
b) Another lingering point is the general perception about a failed muslim player in India. Isn't it true that it was only Mohamad Kaif whose house was painted black when the whole Indian team failed in the recent world cup? A similar thing happens to Kabir who isn't able to let go of that hurt. When the girls eventually find victory, he doesn't jump in joy but he cries in pain. The last scene shows a redeemed Kabir closing the doors to the now apologizing world.
c) And then feminism. Feminism is not taken up in the "bra-burning" or "women are superior to men" note. Neither is the already over-done stereotype of creating sympathy for the battered saint like woman taken up. For a change the movie shows women as normal human beings. It proclaims that its attitude that it is important to face any obstacle in life and the purpose of living no matter whether you are a man or a woman is to act and convert your abilities in to achievements.
d) The final most important aspect is the way the movie reinforces the old belief that hardwork, performance, team spirit, victory, defeat, coping up defeat, learning from failures and congratulating the winner are the aspects of Sports and Sportsmanship. All the negative journalism that Indian cricket received in the recent times had left a dent in that belief. Now the belief is back; thanks to this movie.
Performances: The girls make the movie work. Komal, Bindiya, Alaiya, Preeti, Kaur, girls from Jharkand, Chinkies from East and Reddy from Andhra are all brilliant in their own way.(Komal leads the pack.) They perform and they do it with a conviction that has to seen to be believed.I doubt if some of them will ever appear in the limelight again. The movie will soon make them recognized celebrities whatever they decide to do in their life herein.
This is the first time SRK has ever played a truly complete character. Kabir Khan is grounded, solid and more human than any other character played by the actor. Hence it appears like SRK’s best performance to-date.
But frankly I believe SRK by natural instincts is a natural ham. Not that it’s bad being called ham. I mean the guy simply likes going overboard. This single tendency can make or break his movies. Don and Paheli are examples of well made disasters i.e. SRK’s good intentioned overacting sadly backfired on the overall quality of these movies.
In this movie, he thankfully remains inside the essence of the character. I mean none of his expressions were out-of-place or uncalled for. Wonder if a director’s unrelenting ways are behind it? Yet, I do hope that SRK keeps acting in such good roles that do justice to acting talent rather than histrionics.
Final Word:A salute to YRF for their willingness to trust Shmit Amin, Jaideep Sahini, SRK and the girls. Hope this movie does well. For the love of cinema, it should do well. Judging by the whistles and claps in the hall, guess it its already cracking the Box Office. This movie is a must watch for every cinema lover.
