Kabir’s devils: My quick take on Kabir Khan’s “83”
In a country where cricket is more than just a sport, and where cricketing legends are worshipped as demigods, Cricket and Bollywood are claimed to be the only two things in India that unite people of all castes, creeds, and religions as "Bharatvasi" (fellow Indians). Imagine the commotion that can be created when the most creative minds in Bollywood and the most epic cricketing event merge. In my opinion, Kabir Khan, like the Haryanvi Hurricane, has struck it out of the park and crafted what can only be described as epic cinema about an epic cricketing period in our history.
Being a cricketer myself, plus the prerelease hype, hoopla, and euphoria created by the marketing teams of Reliance entertainment, I just could not resist going to the First day's last show to watch this magnum opus on the wide IMAX screen in Dubai. (kya karega cricket ka kida kuch ajeeb hota hai), let me confess it was a simply awesome experience, Kabir Khan had transported us back to 1983 and made us relive those beautiful world cup winning moments once again. – take a bow Kabir Khan and team 83.
Initially, I had my doubts as I knew that Kabir Khan is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, hence I fears that he should end up creating another docu-drama of this Golden moment. But to my surprise, Kabir khan and his team of writers have pulled a rabbit from the hat by writing a simply awesome screenplay packed with lighter moments, drama, emotions, and desh bhakti. The dialogs are simply awesome and so are the performances of every cast. They all look like pukka cricketers (I wish they should have a match between Kapil’s 11 and Ranvir’s 11 now). There is one dialog by Roger Binny when he says that “your chest should swell up when you sing our national anthem”, Kabir khan manages to pump up the audience and by the time they leave the cinema hall, everybody walks out with head held high and a swelled chest.
The casting director should be commended for hand-picking the performers who would be able to fill the large shoes of our legends. The good thing about the selection was that it was not a look-alike competition, instead, these actors picked up the mannerisms, gait, and minute subtleties which made them get into the skin of the characters. Ranvir Singh, who appears so frivolous in his public appearances because of hyper-Govinda-like dress sense, is just opposite in the role of Kapil, to say that he got into the big shoes of Kapil paji will be an understatement. Like all his previous appearance (Bajirao, Khilji, Simbha, and gully boy character) here too, he has come up with a stellar performance. Other boys were awesome too, let me make a special mention of Jatin Sarna (Yashpal Sharma), Jiva (K Srikanth), and Ammy Virk (Balwinder Sandhu) these guys lit up frame whenever they came on the screen. Nice to see Sandeep Patil's son Chirag Patil playing his father’s role and Mohinder Amarnath playing Lala Amarnath.
I also liked how real-life footage of the matches was smoothly integrated into the film; it added to the overall credibility of the final result. Furthermore, filming the outdoors in real-life places such as Manchester, Trent Bridge, and Lords Cricket Ground raised the entire production value to a new level. I only wish they hadn't stigmatized the mighty Windis team; from all I've read or heard about the Big Cats, they never sledged, swore, or stared back at batsmen during a match; certainly, they had an intimidating swagger about them, but they never were vocal about it.
How can I not mention Pankaj Tripathi, who was not in the playing squad but who essayed the role of Manager cum coach cum physio cum mentor cum nurse cum a courier with such ease that you have to consider him for the Man Of match award. He is simply awesome. A special mention about the Music and Kausar Munir for the song "Lehra do", I am sure it is going to be the next Anthem after Teri mitti.
In conclusion, all I can say is that Kabir khan and Ranvir “Aapne lehra Diya, Hindustani parcham lehra Diya”. This is a movie I may watch again and again because it’s a story of underdogs, it’s a story of the steely will of the skipper, it’s a story of committed team players, it’s a story of leading from the front, it’s a story of keeping Nation first, it’s a story which inspired baby Sachin to pick up willow.
Don’t miss Mera Bharat Mahan
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