Kabir Khan’s biopic ’83’ is all about the historic journey from 1st March to 25th April of India’s epic win in the World Cup. The movie is completely focused on cricket and nothing else, not even the personal journey of the individuals. This film is more like a documentary and the saga of what the underdogs did to the famous journalist David Frith by making him eat his own words with a glass of wine.
This docudrama captures the emotional journey that led to the success of the Indian cricketers in the 1983 World Cup. The movie is well-researched and well-executed with a unique blending of real and picturized moments. People who are from the next generation and do not know the gravity of the 1983 World Cup, will not feel bored after watching this film for its throbbing narrative and the brilliant performance of Ranveer Singh.
Ranveer Singh is a brilliant actor who fits well in the character of evil Alauddin as amazingly as in the character of conboy Ricky Bahl. His acting is much more than the toothy grin, prosthetics, or the adaptation of Kapil Dev’s body language. He had engaged himself in activities that not for once look fabricated. Ranveer as ‘Kapsi’ won hearts.
The movie depicts the relationship between the cricketers and the little-known facts that kept the audience engaged throughout. In 1983, India did not just win the World Cup, it re-ignited nationalism in Indians. Kabir always stirs nationalist sentiments. Even in this movie, the way Hindu-Muslim unity is portrayed and the Pakistan army on hotline and Indian army on borders made us all feel patriotic. “Lehra Doh” with multiple frames of the Indian flag waving amidst all of these is a soundtrack that pumps one’s chest with pride for the nation. The soundtrack of the film overall is not something one would expect of Pritam but this song is amazing in pitch and musical arrangements.
The surprise elements of casting Kapil Dev, Mohinder and Mali Marshall are just beyond amazing. Deepika as Romi Dev looks stylish. However, Pankaj Tripathi as the team’s manager delivers a brilliant performance throughout. He provides us with comic relief, creates a balance of serious scenes and links us with the players.
Kabir Khan teaches one to believe in themselves by encapsulating the journey of a team that the world believed was far away from winning a match let alone winning the cup. This film is all about how the Indian cricket team earned respect globally.
In India, cricket is worshipped as a religion, maybe because the sole purpose of religion is to unify people. This movie has a unifying spirit but never lost the context that it was based on. Khan has set a high benchmark for himself and so did Ranveer after this movie. Not only cricket lovers would enjoy the film but anyone would. One can watch the movie with their family and thus the movie unifies the audience too.
The movie is also currently available on Netflix.
Rating: 3.5/5
