A Straight Sixer !

Rating: 9/10 (1 October 2016)

This movie is, as they say in cricket, a sixer! It hits it right out of the stadium and keeps going! M.S.Dhoni follows the story of India's most successful cricket captain, right from his birth to his victory at the 2011 world cup.
First off, let me say, I am not a big fan of cricket, or follow the sports closely. But despite this, the movie works on a very human level. Even non cricket fans who have a basic idea of how the game works, will be able to enjoy this film. Having said that, this film is an ABSOLUTE treat for cricket fans, they have shown all of dhoni's real matches with the lead actor's face morphed on the real person. So we get shots of the hero being hugged by Tendulkar, Yuvraj singh etc. its quite amazing to watch and it reminds me of similar accomplishment in 1994's Forrest Gump, though this movie is far more extensive in that regards.
As for the film itself, they managed to get most of it right. The Story and plot is based on the real life and hence there is drama but no melodrama or over the top scenes. Lets talk about the acting, Sushant Singh blends into the role of M.S Dhoni perfectly, it feels like we are watching the real person, his attitude, his smile, the way he speaks. The actor gets it perfect.
The rest of the entourage is perfectly casted and acted, the Bengalis in the story LOOK, talk and behave like bongs (I am one, so I can tell if its fake or real). The parents and relatives of Dhoni is done competently and believably.
The art direction in this film is amazing, it feels like a documentary, the sets or locations are SO authentic. Small houses are actually small and claustrophobic. The props are era appropriate. Kudos to the art team.
Now we come to the direction of the film. Neeraj Pandey is one of indias best and often under-rated director. He has the eye for detail, but he doesn't sacrifice the moments for details sake. His direction has subtle humor without any huge laugh out loud moments. One particular scene, when the lead is sitting in pouring rain in the train station, watching his destiny pass him by, it's amazing in cinematography, art and direction wise. Right before this scene, we see the lead actor pass a WORK in Progress sign, thereby explaining why in the middle of the day on a huge junction an entire platform will be empty. That is a director's talent right there. Details and emotions both!
Lastly the music. Right from the trailer, the music was amazing, they use it rather well in the film and the score really sells the film. There are no songs per se, they mostly just accompany the scenes. But this movie wouldn't seem half as good if the music wasn't done SO well.
Cricket fans will obviously go and see this film, but this one manages to reach all audiences, from the smart multiplex audience to the single theaters, there is something for everyone. Make no mistake, this film is already a hit because of the real person's super sports star status. But the film being good will contribute to its sustainability and reaching the non-cricket fan masses too. I personally really like biopics, especially sports ones, which are more uplifting than usual and in doing so, Neeraj Pandey has made a masterpiece.
Rating : 9/10. A masterpiece and rather well made, genuine and uplifting film with an amazing score.