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Friday, April 26, 2024
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BOLLYWOOD SOORMA
EDITOR'S PICK
"Soorma"; Director: Shaad Ali; Cast: Diljit Dosanjh, Taapsee Pannu, Angad
Bedi, Kulbushan Kharbanda, Vijay Raaz, Mahabir Bhullar, Satish Kaushik; Rating:
***1/2
Shaad Ali's "Soorma" is a remarkable story of hope and
inspiration based on the life of Sandeep Singh, the former captain of the Indian
Hockey team.
Narrated from Harpreet Kaur's point of view, the film
captures Sandeep's early life in Shahabad, Haryana, where every young person's
goal in life is to play hockey for "India." Not sure about the patriotic aspect,
but surely for the fringe benefits of a secure job and a bright future that come
along with the selection.
The film tells us how Sandeep and his older
brother Vikram are keen enthusiasts of the game. But the abusive Coach Kartar
Singh pushes the young Sandeep away from the hockey field, while Vikram forges
ahead.
Years later, by happenstance Sandeep meets the striking hockey
player Harpreet Kaur on the hockey field, when he goes to deliver lunch to his
older brother. Love blossoms, and his interest in the game reignites.
How
he pursues the game, gets selected to play for the country and is christened-
"Flicker Singh" for his expertise, forms the crux of the narrative.
While
initially, the tone of the film is light and frothy, the plot whips up a storm
of emotions after the promising star is accidentally shot in the train while on
his way to join his team due to leave for the World Cup.
How he overcomes
paralysis of his lower limbs and re-joins the team for the Common Wealth Games
in London, keeps you hooked to your seats.
The natural performances and
the subtlety of love, determination, sacrifices and patriotic fervour, are what
make this film shine. While there are nuggets of humour strewn across the
narrative, there are also moments that touch the core of your heart.
With
a tinge of innocence and sincerity in his eyes, Diljit Dosanjh surely steals
your heart as Sandeep Singh. He is equally effortless and intense with his
restrained performance.
Tapsee Pannu shines as Harpreet Kaur, Sandeep
Singh's love interest. Her on-screen chemistry with Diljit is palpable and they
make a cute pair.
Angad Bedi as the supportive older brother Vikram is
impressive. So are: Satish Kaushik as Diljit's father, Vijay Raaz as the Bihari
coach, Danish Husain as Coach Kartar Singh, Mahabir Bhullar as the Sandeep's
"grandfather figure" and Seema Kaushal as Sandeep's mother. They all shine, as
they have moments of their on-screen glory.
The background score and the
music of the film are melodious. The numbers, "Ishq di Baajiyaan", "Goodman di
laltain" and "Pardesiya" soulfully touch your heart and capture the essence of
the duo's romance and separation, to perfection.
With ace production
values, the film is brilliantly shot by cinematographer Chirantan Das. The
hockey games are intelligently and astutely replicated and there are instances
when you feel that you are watching a live match.
And at the end, with
the inclusion of the documented clip, one gets to see the real life hero, the
unassuming Sandeep Singh receiving the Arjuna Award from the President of the
India.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has wished luck to the entire team of the forthcoming film "Soorma" and says that he is an admirer of actor Diljit Dosanjh, who he described as a "bright talent".Big B on Tuesday night wished the film's director Shaad Ali and actress Taapsee Pannu, whom he referred as a "colleague"."To 'Soorma', my best wishes to the director and friend Shaad; to my colleague Taapsee, to a bright talent and admirer of Diljit," he wrote.Read More
Taapsee shares 'Soorma' talesActress Taapsee Pannu took to social media to share the tales of the hard work that went behind the portrayal of her character for Sandeep Singh's biopic 'Soorma'.While sharing the video, she wrote, "Between my craziness n madness I learnt a little bit of this wonderful sport! http://bit.ly/TaapseeTrainsLikeAChampion . Coach saab will approve of it :P @flickersingh #Soorma @sonypicsprodns @DiljitDosanjh @Imangadbedi @shaadesh @SnehaRajani @IChitrangda #DeepakSingh @sonymusicindia".Read More
