M. S. DHONI: THE UNTOLD STORY. Review on M. S. Dhoni: The Untold Story

M. S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, yes my mates, the name says it all. Everything that you should expect in this movie to see and enjoy. Know more about what made our captain cool, really ‘cool’. We have known him as an outstanding wicket-keeper, captain who brought World Cup back after three decades. But what made him, him. Director Neeraj Pandey, though not a great fan of Dhoni, has brought his story so genuinely exciting and curiosity grips you, makes you think, after the movie, ‘being passionate and determined to achieve, can really bring your desires to you’. I am not going to get all philosophical about now, but that was some true thought I had.

The film takes off with Dhoni making a striking decision during World Cup final. Then we are taken into flashback and introduce to his middle-class family. His father Pan Singh Dhoni(Anupam Kher) thinks his son will be well-off with a job rather than spending his days playing football, badminton and tennis. Mahi(Sushant Singh Rajput), on the other hand, is more than zesty for what he wants. He even blows off his first coach(Rajesh Sharma) who spots his potential. Like every mother, his mom believes in her son, the sister(Bhumika Chawla) supports his brother’s dreams and the crazy bunch of friends who just knowns he can do it.

We see Mahi struggling through every hurdle, trying, failing and then, trying again. Keeping his eye on the goal, the want of being part of Indian cricket team and play for the country. And all this time, though we know he did it, we root for him. Fingers crossed even.

The first half is languid, stretches and bit repetitive. What keeps you interested is the lifelike re-creation of life in a small town, Ranchi, a family that gets by meagrely and still support a bright-eyed lad who wants to follow his dream and will do it.

Up till here, we can see the untold part of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s life and keeps you captivated. It tells you that you can be from a small town, a naïve boy but if you have talent and bit of luck, you can be unstoppable. It is not wrong to aspire and dream big, but it is right and can be done.

Somehow, the interesting part of the story takes a detour and we get a glance in his love life. His love affair with Priyanka(Disha Patani) that ends, sadly and then comes Sakshi(Kiara Advani), his wife. There are scenes showing the selection processes that governs various cricketing bodies, including the ‘known’ BCCI, but that can be side barred.

The movie completely focuses on Dhoni who is shown as a one-man-army. His teammates, such as Saurav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina and others are seen in flashes, either in profile or from the back. There are not many players seen, other than stray ones with Yuvraj Singh(Harry Tangri).

I was actually expecting some dressing room sour comments, banter, teases, fights and uncut stories. Maybe too much, but at least, one would have made in, in this movie.

Neeraj Pandey, thoughtfully, forgot to add what we already know about Mahi. All the problems with the senior players and Chennai Superkings related whole row. Thank God! Because this story is all about Dhoni, a complete tell tale about those facts we didn’t know or only aware. Nevertheless, bringing in controversial topics would have made this movie sour and I really did not prefer it that way.

Let’s talk about performances, take a bow Sushant Singh Rajput, this is his best performance till now. He is totally into this character, the body language, batting skills; he has put in immense effort to get it all right and it definitely pays off. Anupam Kher, as his father, is undoubtedly brilliant. The way emotions come on his face where he is full of pride for his son.

Bhumika Chawla playing Mahi’s sister does justice to her role and quite true to her simplistic character. Disha Patani and Kiara Advani play their roles as they are told and deliver what is expected from them.

Being Indian cricket fan comes naturally to all the citizen of India(except few). And when it comes to watching a tale depicting what made our composed and confident captain, The Captain, it goes undoubtedly to be a must-watch.