Oct 01, 2016 06:05 PM
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The film gives us many moments of Dhoni rising to the occasion - underscored by brief montages of hapless, helpless bowlers - but too few of Dhoni struggling.
It is as if batting came too naturally and effortlessly to him.
Tragically, we don't get to watch him, the canniest and most boldly strategic captain we've had, plot out any of his unconventionally sharp decisions.
There are two romances - with well-cast girls - but, like the poor songs, these hamper the narrative and slow it down.
It is only Rajput's valiant performance that keeps us believing, especially as he stands in front of a mirror and self-consciously practices precisely how wide his grin needs to be.
In a bright move, the film uses a lot of actual television footage, ForrestGumping Rajput's face on Dhoni's body and letting him advise Lakshmipathy Balaji and celebrate with Harbhajan Singh instead of casting lookalikes for these parts we know so well.
The first time we see Sachin Tendulkar, for example, the film gives him what is sometimes(and fittingly) referred to as God's View, turning the narrative camera into the Sachin character and letting Dhoni walk up to him for an autograph. It's quite a moment.
That, in fact, is part of a greater moment, a scene where a pretty girl meets Dhoni on a flight and - while awestruck by other cricketers - thinks nothing of MS, who she doesn't yet know.
It is a fleeting scene, but teases the idea of a truly good film. We could have had something special, something close to Rush, a proper sports film with conflict and heart and internal struggle.
Rajput steps forward and tonks it out of the park, but it would matter much more if this wasn't an exhibition match on a conveniently doctored pitch.
