83, a pan-India biopic on legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev is carrying good expectations among the audience. Starring Bollywood star Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev, 83 directed by Kabir Khan has hit the screens today in all South languages along with Hindi. Let’s analyse it.
Story: Set in the 1983 time period, the film prominently showcases how the Kapil Dev-led Indian cricket team had clinched the ICC World Cup. What kind of humiliating situations will the team Indian led by Kapil Dev (Ranveer Singh) face in England when went to play the 1983 Cricket World Cup series? How will an underperforming team like India emerge victorious by winning on the then Cricket Champion West Indies? To know that, you have to catch the film in the theatres.
Performances: Ranveer Singh literally lived in the lead role as Kalip Dev and gave an outstanding performance. Be it his facial expressions or dialogue modulation Ranveer just nailed it with ease in acting. The best part of Ranveer Singh is that instead of imitating Kalip Dev, he just gave a new tone and performed nicely in the Indian cricket team former captain’s role.
Pankaj Tripathi as the Indian cricket team manager gave a terrific performance. Especially, the scenes involving Pankaj and Ranveer are a treat to watch on screen.
Actors like Jiiva, Saqib Saleem, Jatin Sarna, Ammy Virk among others are perfectly apt in the other cricketers’ roles.
Last but not least, Deepika Padukone’s presence in the crucial second half brings a positive vibe to the movie. She is amazing in her short yet key role as Kalip’s wife Rumi Dev. Other artists who did supporting roles are fine in their respective roles.
Technicalities: Music has nothing much to do in this sports drama but is apt for the proceedings. While two situational songs are placed nicely, the background score during the interval and for some key sequences in the second half lifts the mood of the film.
Cinematography work is top-notch as the visuals and various locations showcased in the movie take us back to those days. Editing is good but could have been even better during the first half.
Noted actor Sumanth dubs for Ranveer Singh and his voice adds realistic texture to the Telugu version dialogues. Other dubbing artists who gave their voice to several characters did a great job.
Analysis: Reputed Bollywood filmmaker Kabir Khan is the director for 83 and he did a commendable job in recreating the entire 83′ times World Cup magic on screen.
Though Kabir took some cinematic libraries and ignored the first one hour of the film with a slow-pace narration, his directorial skills will be visible from the interval scene and drive till the end in presenting with some high and emotional moments.
To summerize, 83 is an engaging sports drama that takes us back to the 1983 World Cup times. Though the first half of the film lacks a solid impact, right from the interval block to the end card, director Kabir Khan’s made sure that the narrative has enough emotional and clap-worthy episodes. Go watch it.
Verdict: Magical recreation!
Rating: 3/5
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