A still from the movieThere aren't many biopics that have resisted the gravitational pull of the requisites of mainstream cinema. Tigmanshu Dhulia's Paan Singh Tomar was one such film, but it was clearly an exception in the genre. The bittersweet fact about biopics is the invincibility of the star, so it's understandable if the crowd looks forward to the coronation. Neeraj Pandey's M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story is an apple that didn't fall far away from the tree; it's Dhoni all the way from the labor room to the Wankhede Stadium in the 2011 Cricket World Cup final.
In the 'Ranchi to rich story' of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, what's amplified, to a large extent, is the man and his game. While the fact remains that Dhoni is the most successful Indian cricket captain till date, a full toss of glorification is hurled at him, and he takes it on undeterred. But that was expected, considering how the captain himself had waved the green flag much too enthusiastically for his biopic.
The film opens predictably at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium where India is sweating it out in the final game of the 2011 World Cup against Sri Lanka. The captain straps on the gloves and batting pads and is out to bring the cup home. And as is the tradition, we go back in time to see 'how it all began'. While the first half of the film narrates Dhoni's journey through his passing stint as a ticket examiner till the India A team, it also introduces all the people who were the building blocks in Dhoni's success. The familial interludes aren't as tiresome as staged; the narrative doesn't seem to let go of the all-too-cutesy frames and the characters are seen wading through a screenplay that needed some troubleshooting.
While it's a treat to watch the game-play and the chronicling of Dhoni's innings in the Indian cricket history, the controversies are missed. There is hardly anything 'untold' about the story that's put up, except that perhaps Yuvraj always always chews gum and an unforeseen romantic life of the skipper. A few of the interesting bits added to the story include the first meeting of Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni for a Ranji match, but hardly any game strategies from the master strategist is shown. The story is bereft of what makes Dhoni the player that he became, instead focusing mostly on how he carried himself.
Now for the good part—Neeraj Pandey's biggest strength is Sushanth Singh Rajput. The actor has impersonated MS Dhoni so well that after a while into the movie, we start taking him for the man himself. Starting with the helicopter shot that has been mastered so well, the gait, posture and the persona of the Indian skipper reflects in Sushanth and the 'Captain Cool' role sits exceptionally well on him. The others in the film, particularly Anupam Kher (as Paan Singh Dhoni) and Rajesh Sharma (Dhoni's coach from school) are valuable additions. The people who are cast as Dhoni's friends fit the bill as well.
Adhering to cricket customs and to make it concise, here are the highlights:
» Every time Sushanth clasps the bat and aims for a helicopter shot
» The games in the second half that play out well
» Man on a mission Rajesh Sharma who hurries through market-shopping schedules with his wife to get back to the ground for practice sessions
» That moment when India win the World Cup and the priceless tears that run down the cheeks of Anupan Kher
While the film is an unapologetic eulogy of the Indian captain where he's a bit short of the crease, it definitely doesn't call for a run out. It's obviously field day for MSD while an impersonator is busy scoring some precious points for him!
Onmanorama Rating: 3/5
