To enable filmmakers infuse it with the desired melodrama, this one too, as with almost all biopics, starts off with the usual disclaimer: although inspired by true events… The film opens with a voiceover that introduces herself as Harpreet Kaur, centre-forward of the Indian hockey team, who admits that ‘this story is not about her but of Sandeep Singh’ (Diljit Dosanjh), former captain of the national hockey team, who was one of India’s greatest players ever, specialising in the drag-flick – the bete noire of all goalkeepers.
Abandoning training at nine due to a draconian coach (Danish Hussain) leaving the ‘field’ open so that elder brother Bikram (Angad Bedi) may make it to the national team, and then ladylove Harpreet (Tapsee Pannu) reigniting his interest in the game, forms the first half of the film. The second, which makes for more compulsive viewing, deals with the accidental gunshot wound which left him in a coma and partially paralysed. Sandeep’s grit and his main ‘goal’, Harpreet, helped him regain his place in the national team, after a layoff which included rehab in Holland.
Diljit, who bears a fair resemblance to Sandeep, is the driving force behind the film. His chemistry with Taapsee too is excellent, as is his bonding with Bedi, in what is probably his best performance till now. Satish Kaushik as the father and Kulbhushan Karbanda as the Indian hockey honcho are cast well, though the best lines belong to Vijay Raaz, as the benevolent national coach.
Shaad Ali has done a decent job and despite the over-abundant footage of India-Pakistan games and the drag-flicks, it’s a well-made film, paying due homage to India’s Flicker Singh.