Well-played, Captain Cool!

M.S.Dhoni- An Untold Story, tells as much about India's most successful cricket captain as it does about the triumph of talent and grit against all odds. I read that it's a fanboy account and hence expected a gushing anthem, saccharine sweet and superficial. What I got served was a smooth concoction of sweet, savoury and bitter, blended to perfection and served well in a custom-made glass . The director Neeraj Pandey lives upto his reputation of a deft story teller. Anything less, and the audience would have felt short-changed.

Sushant singh Rajput gives a sterling performance as Dhoni. He internalises Dhoni's mannerisms and body language yet lends his individuality to the persona.

We usually expect to watch and laud biopics of legends or stalwarts gone by but Dhoni is a contemporary celebrity and yet lends well to have a celluloid tribute devoted to him. The fact that he had a credible lifestory, of an archetypal small town boy making it big in life after a series of ordeals, will always find ample takers amongst the audience.

The power of ensemble cast is immensely underrated in Indian cinema. There's an extremely competent second line of actors performing as supporting cast who are carving a niche for themselves. Kumud misra, Rajesh Sharma, and the guys who played Dhoni's friends in the movie are all top notch and pitch in perfectly. Even the love interests, with miniscule screen time, blend in well enough.
Indian parents' fixation with kids' studies and landing a white-collar job is highlighted well as also their disdain for prefering sports over studies and/or the pursuance of a career in it.

The only lacuna is the length which at over 3 hours tests your perseverance at times. But nitpicking apart, we need similar ones on other living legends like Amitabh and Sachin etc, men who enjoy cult status despite being lessons in humility.

Humble beginners who propel into the stratosphere of superstardom are often revered as demi-Gods, possibly because the common man sees his reflection in them. And feels the connection.

Establishing that connection is the key to success in all forms of art and Dhoni, the man and the movie, strike the requisite score.

Well-played, Captain Cool!