Maidaan - An Intriguing Sports Drama

 

Movie: Maidaan
Rating: 3.5/5
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Gajraj Rao, Priyamani, Rudranil Ghosh, Chaitanya Sharma, Davinder Gill, Tejas Ravishankar, Amartya Ray, Sushant Waydande, and others
Director: Amit Ravindernath Sharma
Produced By: Boney Kapoor, ZEE Studios, Arunava Roy Sengupta, Akash Chawla 

Release Date: 11th April 2024

Story:

The Indian football team experiences a significant loss against Yugoslavia during the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, leading to the team being ridiculed by news agencies. Syed Abdul Rahim, portrayed by Ajay Devgn, the coach of the Indian team, elucidates the causes of this defeat to the Football Federation of India. He asserts that a new group of players is required. S.A. Rahim embarks on a quest to discover fresh talent throughout the country, commencing from his hometown of Hyderabad. The film follows Rahim's journey and his numerous challenges at every step.

Performances:

Ajay Devgn was too good as Syed Abdul Rahim. The character is a bit tricky as there are fewer dialogues and more expressions, but the national award-winning actor effectively performs and wins the challenge. Priyamani was effective, though her scope is limited. Gajraj Rao, Rudranil Ghosh, Chaitanya Sharma, Davinder Gill, Tejas Ravishankar, Amartya Ray, Sushant Waydande, and others did a good job. 

What Worked For The Film:

The legendary football coach Syed Abdul Rahim may not be well-known to most of us, but after watching this sports drama, Ajay Devgn's portrayal of S.A. Rahim will surely leave a lasting impression. Few performances can linger in our hearts long after the film ends, and Ajay Devgn's depiction of Rahim Saab is one such memorable performance. It is bound to be remembered as one of the finest performances in cinema history, making Ajay Devgn a strong contender for the National Award this year. The way the football matches are depicted in the film is truly remarkable. In sports dramas like this, the match sequences are crucial in advancing the storyline, and the Maidaan team has excelled in this aspect. Hats off to the team for crafting the match scenes electrifyingly, complete with several spine-tingling moments. Some moments make us forget we are watching a movie and instead root for the Indian players as if it were a live match. The production values and VFX work are exceptional, immersing us in the action as if we were on the field.

The cinematography and AR Rahman's exhilarating background score perfectly complement the film. The camera work in the final thirty minutes expertly captures the game strategies and allows us to feel the players' emotions. Chaitanya Sharma, Davinder Gill, Tejas Ravishankar, Amartya Ray, Sushant Waydande, and all the other actors delivered outstanding performances, deserving equal praise for their dedication and hard work.

What Did Not Work For The Film:

Like any sports-based film, Maidaan suffers from the regular traits of the genre. The Villain/Opponent characters of Sye Abdul Rahim are portrayed with an over-dramatic touch, which gives an odd feeling at times. We know they are bad people, but at times, the camera work and the expressions of Gajraj Rao and Rudranil Ghosh give a mockery kind of feel. There are some dull moments in the first half, and the director could have shown much about the wife of Rahim, who shouldered the responsibility of the house and children. There are some poignant moments and dialogues for her character, which Priyamani plays, but her character needs more recognition. 

Maidaan Review And Verdict:

Maidaan is a well-researched and captivating film that chronicles the contribution of football sport in India and the times when the game drove the aspirations of the young nation's youth without romanticizing it. Despite some flaws that sometimes derail the narrative, Ajay Devgn and others' compelling performances and AR Rahman's background score maintain the momentum.