Review: 'Maidaan' scores a goal showing the heart of football; loses ground with Rahim's journey

A week with two biographical releases, 'Maidaan' and 'Amar Singh Chamkila'; both obviously about people poles apart from each other, but with stories that need to be heard. After almost a delay of four years, the Ajay Devgn starrer sports biography drama 'Maidaan' helmed by Amit Sharma is set to hit the theatres on 11th April, revolving around the life of coach Syed Abdul Rahim who led the Football team of India towards victory in the Asian games in 1951 and 1962. While it may seem like a done-and-dusted narrative from its looks, this is what I feel after watching the film. 

Screenplay and Era Appropriation

The film opens with Ajay Devgn portraying Rahim, the coach of the Indian football team, navigating the internal politics of the sports federation while scouting players for the Olympics. However, the narrative's constant shifts between timelines and locations make for a lengthy and tiresome viewing experience. At a runtime of 3 hours and 1 minute, the film feels excessively drawn out, with many scenes that could have been trimmed. Set in the 1950s, the movie effectively captures the era's atmosphere through its rustic setting, cinematography, and attention to detail, such as period-appropriate technology like radios and printing presses, as well as authentic costumes and set designs. Despite its extended production period of four years, the film maintains consistency and flows smoothly, a commendable feat by the makers.

Worthy Climax

While the first half of the film may leave you yawning, the second half, particularly the last thirty minutes, is where the magic happens. The adrenaline rush and intense sports action will keep you glued to your seats. The match sequence is shot with masterful camerawork, incorporating slow motion, bird's-eye views, and angle-specific shots that are visually captivating. This segment delivers the perfect blend of drama, emotions, and enthusiasm, providing a cinematic experience that's truly satisfying.

The Performances

Ajay Devgn's portrayal of Rahim evokes a mix of emotions and thoughts. In the first half, his stoic expressions come across as caricatured, making it difficult for viewers to connect with his character's emotions despite the film's heavy drama. Interestingly and ironically, despite being a lung cancer patient, Rahim's consistent advertising of "no smoking" while frequently smoking cigarettes draws Rahim's persona. His character lacks the passion expected of a coach representing his country. Furthermore, the film fails to provide sufficient backstory or depth to Rahim's character, leaving audiences wondering about his journey to becoming a coach and his love for the game.

Gajraj Rao, as a sports journalist, is depicted as extremely antagonistic towards Rahim without any explanation for his animosity. His sole motivation throughout the film seems to be witnessing Rahim's downfall, with redemption only coming at the end when he celebrates the team's victory.

The ensemble cast, including Chaitanya Sharma, Tejas Ravishankar, Davinder Gill, Amartya Ray, Sushant Waydande, Manandeep Singh, Vishnu G Varrier, Raphael Jose, Jayanth V, Aaman Munshi, Sai Kishore, Amandeep Thakur, Tanmay Bhattacharjee, Arko Das, and Prajwal Maski, deliver authentic performances, adding credibility to the sports narrative.

Priyamani's portrayal of Rahim's wife feels underutilized, as her character lacks depth and meaningful engagement with the storyline. The subplot of her learning English remains unclear, and her chemistry with Ajay Devgn's character fails to resonate, even in softer scenes.

The Missed Goals

The CGI was tacky and shoddy at many places. Quite a few times, it felt like Ajay Devgn was photoshopped and gave the impression of being digitally inserted in the 1950s Mumbai or Delhi backdrops. The editing was yet another major concern. If it hadn't been for the spectacular climax and the football game sequence, this movie would have ended up being a snooze fest with no value or depth. 

The Verdict

Maidaan" may not meet the standards of a polished sports biopic due to various shortcomings, but its saving grace lies in the captivating climax and impressive camerawork during the football sequences, making it worth investing our time and attention.

Rating

***(3/5) stars