MSD: Main story remains untold

Rating: 6/10 (1 October 2016)

Bollywood has off late caught up fascination for Sports biopics ranging from Pan Singh Tomar, Milkha, Mary Kom and now Dhoni. The latest offering from 'Special 26' and 'Baby' fame Neeraj Pandey which raised a lot of hopes with its trailer, fails to live up to expectations. It's not out and out a bad movie but doesn't match the authenticity and detailing of neither the earlier films of this genre nor the past work of Pandey. Like always, let's discuss all aspects one-by-one:
Â• Plot: Most people feel it's the length (over 3 hrs) of the movie which makes it a tiresome ride. However, I feel, it's the content which makes the audience check their watches frequently, esp. in the second half. Yes, MS Dhoni, undoubtedly, is a top-class wicket- keeper batsman, but what makes him class apart are his captaincy skills and cool-as-cucumber demeanor. The movie fails to showcase both. Neither does it capture how MS was catapulted to captainship for 2007 T-20 world cup, nor it reveals his strategizing skills in dressing room and his composure in nail-biting match- moments. Rather, movie time and again illustrates him as a vulnerable emotional person. The first half has been authentically shot and aptly enacted. However, the 2 romantic angles post intermission off- track the movie, making it draggy and superficial. For making a biopic on an active player, out of the box and real untold stuff was required. The second half was a mere cut-paste of match-clippings and stories most of us know further wasted by avoidable brand endorsement clippings.
Â• Performances: Yes, Sushant Singh Rajput did work very hard to emulate the mannerisms, body-language and playing style of MSD and he is successful to great extent in this. He definitely showcases Dhoni's sincerity well. However, he still fails to match the fluent English of real MS. Support cast comprising Rajesh Sharma, Kumud Mishra, boy who played young MS, Bhumika Chawla, etc. delivered justified performances. Anupam Kher, though, looks a little more aged and utterly-wrinkled right from the word go. That reminds me of the unnecessary hospital scene in the beginning! And Harry Tangri literally brought Yuvraj Singh live on screen, with not just his similar looks but also carrying the same attitude. The 2 girls were mere glamorous add-ons. Disha Patani anytime scores over Kiara Advani.
Â• Music: A solid background score and a thematic anthem is enough for sports biopics. Sanjoy Chowdhury delivers average tunes and a couple of songs filmed on the 2 actresses add as fillers only.
Â• Cinematography: Sudhir Palsane scores it well especially in first half taking the audience from gullies of Ranchi to the crowded Kharagpur Station.
A lot of controversies associated with Dhoni were intentionally excluded from the movie, perhaps not to decimate the making of the MSD. That's justified! But exclusion of the main facets of the persona of a bio-pictured player is unpardonable. This fact, perhaps, makes this good movie stay short of becoming great and smart.