Leaves one spellbound. Review on Paan Singh Tomar

Has everything except absurdity. Has been advertised sparsely unlike most Bollywood dramas, but doesn't require much marketing as it will now be the talk of the town. Without revealing any information about the movie let me attempt to summarize what one would find in a two and half hour journey that takes one through varied emotions of joy, surprise, sorrow and appreciation. I am not sure whether the movie is just about Paan Singh Tomar as it can't be...

In fact, it isn't. its about the ill state of affairs that give birth to various other ills. The director (Tig Dhulia) makes sure that not a single emotion is neglected - whether it is about winning a medal, shooting own brothers or depicting the undying spirit of human soul.. everything is so beautifully captured that one is left awestruck in admiration. Whatever the movie is - it's definitely not about a dacoit or chambal or one character. It is indeed about a Baaghi - a REBEL (as repeatedly uttered by Paan Singh Tomar in his wry style).

Characters have been suitably casted and perform at their best. I doubt anyone else could've done a better job than Irfaan who shows once again that he is a class apart. Had it not been Irfaan, I would've thought twice before giving this flick a watch. Irfaan (after 'Yeh Saali Zindagi) steals the entire show with his spontaneity and dialogues. His 'Bolo Haan' was a much repeated but masterly delivered dialogue.

Few memorable moments that would leave one spellbound and emotional were those involing ice cream, his running shoes and police station :) Dialogues such as 'Peeche mud ke kya dekhta hai baar baar.. teri... ' and 'ki daud nahin ho rahi hai' and 'Jao beta lemon juice pee ke aa jao' certainly exercise stomach, break laughing curfews and often force even the laziest of souls to clap in appreciation.

Plot has been kept as genuine and sensible as possible. There was hardly any flaw in the story. I wouldn't expect one in a real life drama too. Movie has been shot in the expands of chambal and villages. The english subtitles come to rescue ones who aren't familiar with the language used. It isn't much different from our mother tongue, but may sound alien at some places. Movie doesn't have any dance number, but who needed it after all.. at least I didn't :) Except a small inspirational background score, there is also no song. Mr. Dhulia has ensured that the movie strictly remains on the track and it does. He has shot the romantic scenes with extreme care justifying the situation, not going too far and not for the sake of it.

Movie concludes with a strong message and leaves everyone speechless. Not a single soul leaving the picture hall was talking. I observed this as I went through the same emotions. Were all of us shocked or enlighened ? Did we witness any tragedy ? Whatever had been the feelings, one wouldn't leave with a feeling of 'just another movie'.

I hope to see such movies made in future. As the movie ends, it silently shouts loud that our nation must look after its sports icons, who come not from rich families but from the modest (and most of the times poor) backgrounds, who represent our nation at the world stage and finally die in the darkness of the unknown surroundings.

In this fast paced life, this movie definitely grabs ones attention and shakes ones soul, leaving one pondering >> what's going on !!

Do watch !!