MS Dhoni - A Decent Effort

Rating: 7/10 (2 October 2016)

My MS DHONI review
With so many great cricketers in our country, why choose Dhoni for a biopic? Well, he might not have the best technique or the best records but he has always been a natural. He is a gladiator, a smiling assassin, a cool headed general who is silently aggressive. True, he does not win all his gambles but he always dares and has been instrumental in changing the team's fortunes. It is his imperfection and iconic yet 'every-man' identity which has captured the imagination of a cricket crazy nation. Coupled with this is the fact, that his story from his very humble background when he was least interested in cricket to becoming one of the most popular faces in the sport is both interesting and awe-inspiring.
The first half is fresh and engrossing telling us about a young Dhoni's initiation into cricket as a boy, his simple life in a small, laid back town, how he started making a name for himself with friends and well wishers rallying around him, his missed opportunities, how he landed a job of a TTE in Railways (on the strength of his talent alone) and how he finally chucked the job to play full time cricket.
Sadly, the second half fails to sustain the momentum. One can clearly make out that the producers and Dhoni did not wish to court controversy when the names of senior players(suggested to be dropped by Dhoni) are muted in the conversation between Dhoni and the selectors. While some might say that it takes away the spice from the plot, personally, I am okay with it. A movie 'does not have' to be controversial to be good!
Having said that, not portraying any other major player, no changing room banter and no on field chatter are absolutely major flaws in the script. The slightly longer (than required) footage for both of Dhoni's love interests and the songs slow down the pace and distract the viewer. The ample use of real match clips with SUSHANT's face morphed on Dhoni's body is both good and bad. Good because it lends a certain air of authenticity to the script and Bad because beyond a certain point, it seems repetitive and documentary like.
SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT with his mild voice and average looks does not really fit into the conventional Bollywood hero mould but he manages to get by. Here as MS DHONI, he has essayed the role really well and this is by far his best performance. His unassuming dialogue delivery and controlled emotions are in tune with the character and he stays within the limits of his abilities. His well rehearsed accent doesn't sound fake and he has successfully replicated Dhoni's playing style, stance and mannerisms.
ANUPAM KHER can walk through such roles with his eyes closed. Needless to say, he does a good job as Dhoni's father but is so predictable that somehow he fails to excite.
RAJESH SHARMA follows up his wonderful performances in Ishqiya, Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Special 26 with another flawless act as Dhoni's first coach. KUMUD MISHRA delivers a swell performance close on the heels of his neat portrayal as Salman's coach in SULTAN. The actor who plays AK Ganguly, the Railways Boss (who is also a cricket enthusiast), is so much into his character that one cannot make out that he is acting. Both DISHA PATANI (as Dhoni's first girlfriend) and KIARA ADVANI (as Sakshi Dhoni) look pretty, do not overact and give fair performances.
The movie celebrates Dhoni's uplifting life story and the passion for the game without being in-your-face. It gives hope that even a small town boy can make it big given the talent and support (and timely luck, of course). The common man can identify with him because DHONI, the star, is 'Humanly' Superhuman. Had it not been for the flaws, the film could have been like Dhoni........calm and understated yet..brutally effective.
The movie is definitely watchable. Even as I am writing this, the weekend box office collection is crossing 60 croresAb(D)HONI ko kaun taal sakta hai !!
Sameer Singh Thapa