Maidaan Review: Ajay Devgn’s ‘The Team of Comebacks’ Is a Worth-Watch!

A new feather added in Ajay Devgn’s cape of finest films, Maidaan is truly one of the most anticipated and high on nerve Sports-Drama film. The film casts the life and journey of Syed Abdul Rahim, a renowned Indian football coach who revolutionized the now lost sport in India. The film was scheduled to release earlier on April 10 but they have rescheduled it to a day ahead on April 11, due to Eid falling on the same day.

Bollywood has always brought some worth watching biographies and talking about sports biographies Maidaan will surely be the timeless film in this belt. Written & directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma and produced by Boney Kapoor & Zee Studios the film runs 181 minutes long which naturally comes out as slow-moving plot.

Maidaan is all about the how Indian Football team under S. A. Rahim played by Ajay Devgn started gabbing eyeballs into the struggles the emerge of sports post independent India. It casts the journey of S.A. Rahim and how he revolutionized the Indian football.

Behind the Lens-

Director Amit Ravindernath Sharma continues to amaze with his directing abilities ranging from Badhaai Ho, Trial Period and now Maidaan. Despite the story being impactful director misses the impact in exploring other nuances of the plot, the conflict of the film doesn’t appear in the first hand during the first half. But, the three hours long run makes it worth till the climax where director and cinematographers have worked immensely to showcase the best possible live match footage of Asian Games 1962.

Cinematographers Tushar Kanti Ray & Fuodor Lyass reflects the best setting of a periodic film and take us 70+ years back easily. Camerawork in the climax scenes are unmatchable as while watching as an audience you can’t take off your eyes off the screen, you get so involved as you are playing along with the players in those live football matches.

Performances-

If there’s anything which makes this movie a good watch it’s Ajay Devgn showing his rhythmic acting skills. His character is so calm yet so catchy and filled with dreams and power to uplift any depressing vibes around. Ajay Devgn gives all the justice to the character and does it phenomenally. Surely audience misses him in live action as him being the coach of the team.

Gajraj Rao on the other hand has impressed quite a lot with his character of Senior Indian Sports Journalist who is a harsh critique and not so well compatible with Coach S.A. Rahim. In a film like this where there are no actual villains Gajraj Rao fights well. Though his character growth could have been better later on in the film.

Priyamani playing the wife of Rahim performs really well. Ajay Devgn & Priyamani together brings the old school desi romance and drama effortlessly. The makers have managed to get the best cast possible on the screen compare to the then Indian football team. Each and every player resonates with their real counterparts and doesn’t lose nerves in the performances.

The music of the film is composed by A. R. Rahman, overall background score goes hand in hand with the plot while songs like ‘Mirza’, ‘Team India Hain Hum’ & ‘Jaane Do’ touched our hearts.

The film is scheduled to release preview shows on 10 April 2024 and theatrically worldwide on 11 April 2024, coinciding with Eid. It is surely a one-time watch and the historical importance of the film makes it a worth watch.

Rating- 3.5/5

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