Release Date: 30 November -0001
Director: [[Amit Sharma (director)
Producer: Zee Studios, Fresh Lime Films, Akash Chawla, Arunava Joy Sengupta, Boney Kapoor
Cast: {{plainlist
Music Director: A. R. Rahman
Box Office: ₹68.09 crore
Plot Summary: At the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, the Indian national football team faces a major defeat against Yugoslavia with a score of 10-1. The members of the All India Football Federation blame the coach Syed Abdul Rahim for the team's underperformance. Rahim requests for permission to form another team with new players. The members of the federation are reluctant, especially Subhankar, but Rahim receives support from President Anjan, who grants him permission. Rahim then scouts for players from all over India and forms a new team consisting of Tulsidas Balaram from Secunderabad, Peter Thangaraj from Hyderabad and P. K. Banerjee and Chuni Goswami from Calcutta among others. Roy Choudhary, an influential journalist from Calcutta holds a grudge against Rahim, as he has formed the team with very less number of players from Calcutta. At the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, the Indian team prepares to play against Australia. A player from the Australian team disrespects Neville D'Souza and makes him tie his shoes. Neville goes on to score a hat-trick and the Indian team wins the match with a score of 7-1, leaving the Australian team in shock. The Indian team eventually secures the fourth position at the Olympics. Meanwhile, Roy Choudhary and Subhankar plan to remove Rahim from the federation and make Subhankar the President. At the 1960 Summer Olympics the Indian team is pitted against France, which is considered the best team in the world. The match draws with a score of 1-1 and the Indian team fails to qualify. The federation removes Rahim as coach for the Indian team on the grounds on underperformance. Rahim also learns that he has developed lung cancer due to his excessive smoking habit and will not live long. Rahim decides to spend his remaining days at home with his family and has frequent coughing fits. His wife, Saira, motivates him, telling him to not give up and pursue his dream of leading the Indian team to win a gold medal. Rahim requests the federation to let him coach the team again and promises that if the team does not win a gold medal, he will not coach any team again in his life. Subhankar, who is now President, initially refuses but has to give in to his request as the other members of the federation give their votes to let Rahim coach the team. Rahim begins to coach the team again and prepares them for the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta. However, the Finance Ministry refuses to let the Indian team participate in the competition, given insufficient funds. Rahim personally speaks with the Finance Minister Morarji Desai and convinces him with the condition that only 16 players will be allowed to go for the competition. Rahim leaves out the rest, including his son Hakim. In Jakarta, Thangaraj, the team's goalkeeper is injured before their first match and is replaced by Pradyut Barman, which weakens the team. In their first match, the Indian team face defeat against South Korea, with the teammates blaming one another. After the match, Rahim makes them understand the importance of formation and coordination. In their next match against Thailand, Jarnail Singh, is gravely injured by an opponent. Rahim instructs the Indian team "to make them pay for it" and they go on to play more aggressively, winning the match with a score of 4-1. An Indian diplomat publicly criticises the decision of not allowing Israel and Taiwan to play in the competition, which angers the people of Indonesia, leading to massive public protests against the Indian team. On the day of the final match, where the Indian team would play against South Korea, the team bus is attacked by protesters and the military is brought in to provide security for them. Rahim's health deteriorates and he begins coughing up blood, but still motivates the team by delivering an inspiring speech. On seeing Rahim's determination, Roy Choudhary has a change of heart and starts supporting the Indian team. Thangaraj and Singh also rejoin the team for the match. The Indian team goes on to win the match with a score of 2-1, winning the only gold medal in Football at the Asian Games.
Music Director: A. R. Rahman
Box Office: ₹68.09 crore
🙃🙃🙃🙃✨ (4.5/5)
Well, buckle up buttercups, we're about to plunge headlong into the chaotic world of Indian football from a time when it was actually good. You heard it right, my lovelies, once upon a time, our boys were kicking it on the field, not just in the cricket ground, but on the football turf too. And the man who led this motley crew of kickers to glory? None other than SA Rahim, the man, the myth, the legend. Yours truly, the one and only Review Rani, is here to spill the tea on this cinematic spectacle called 'Maidaan'.
'Maidaan' is a cinematic homage to the man who took Indian football to dizzying heights. Rahim, played by the brooding Ajay Devgn, is portrayed as a man on a mission. Say what you will about Devgn, but when the man commits, he commits. He manages to embody Rahim's dignified stoicism beautifully, and I, for one, was here for it.
The movie takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of Indian football, and boy, what a ride it is. Sharma's direction, Quadras's screenplay, Ray's cinematography, and AR Rahman's music all combine to make you feel like you're right there in the stadium, watching the magic happen. The final match between India and South Korea is an edge-of-the-seat affair that will have you biting your nails and praying to all the gods you know.
But it's not all sunshine and rainbows, folks. Our man Rahim has to contend with the petty politics of the football federation and a pesky sports journalist who's out to get him. Amidst all this, he manages to handpick the best of the best and build a team that not only plays well but plays as 'one'. Now, that's some coaching, am I right?
The narrative is cogent, the storytelling is gripping, and the performances are top-notch. From Devgn's Rahim to Priyamani's Saira and Gajraj Rao's Roy Choudhary, everyone brings their A-game. The football team, played by a talented bunch of actors, is a sight to behold, each one embodying his real-life counterpart to the T.
'Maidaan' is a must-watch, folks. It's a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of unity, and the indomitable spirit of the human will. And remember, as the movie tells us, 'Kismat haathon se nahi, paeron se likhi jaati hai.' So put your best foot forward and go watch 'Maidaan.'
Rani's Wrap-Up
In the end, 'Maidaan' is a cinematic goal that scores right into the hearts of its audience. It's a film that reminds us of a glorious past and inspires us to dream of a future where India once again shines on the football field. As for me, Review Rani, I'm signing off now, but remember, the world's a stage, and we're all critics in it. Until next time, keep it sassy, keep it classy, and keep those reviews coming!
