<p><strong>Movie</strong>: <em>Soorma</em></p>.<p><strong>Rating</strong>: 4/5 stars</p>.<p><strong>Director</strong>: Shaad Ali</p>.<p><strong>Cast</strong>: Diljit Dosanjh, Taapsee Pannu, Angad Bedi, Danish Husain, Pitobash, Herry Tangiri, Vijay Raaz, Kulbhushan Kharbanda</p>.<p>When I think of Bollywood sports movies, <em>Lagaan </em>and <em>Chak De! India </em>are the first two that spring to mind. <em>Lagaan </em>is pleasant but low on the rewatch scale. <em>Chak De! </em>is one of the better and more memorable achievements in the genre. I went into <em>Soorma </em>knowing very little about hockey player Sandeep Singh and this movie has somehow converted me into a Sandeep fan.</p>.<p>The biopic is the true story of international player Sandeep who was paralysed after an accidental gunshot and was forced to battle impossible odds to make a comeback. <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/content/654524/not-money-bollywood-want-experiment.html" target="_blank">Diljit Dosanjh</a> is a natural as Sandeep and really makes you believe in the character. The physicality of the actor and the portrayal of hockey skills can make or break a film like this and <em>Soorma </em>shows an impressive attention to detail in these aspects. This is a hockey showcase on an exhilarating, elevated level that leaves something like <em>Chak De! </em>in the dust. I especially enjoyed the nuances of the technique called "drag flicking" that gave Sandeep his nickname "Flicker Singh".</p>.<p>Sandeep’s story feels like fantasy but it works because of the truths on which the tale is built. The real-life Sandeep is apparently proud of the film and it’s not surprising as the drama, pathos and conflicts in the writing never feel excessive or overdone. I was initially worried that a sports biopic would have a love story at its centre. However, <em>Soorma </em>never gives in to cliches or tested formulas. <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/never-planned-foray-any-wood-taapsee-pannu-670863.html" target="_blank">Taapsee Pannu</a>’s character Harpreet is luminous on screen and is a refreshing change from regular love interests as her choices are not governed by what Sandeep wants. In fact, the story flows in a number of unexpected directions without ever meandering.</p>.<p>I do have some minor quibbles. The songs were not many but they definitely slowed down the pace of a movie that is actually edited pretty tightly. The opening scenes, and some later ones, with birds in a field are a perfect example of awful CGI creations that take you out of a film. Fortunately, these elements do not leave a major impact on the viewer.</p>.<p><em>Soorma </em>is the kind of film that surprises, inspires, makes you teary at the right moments and leaves you with an air of positivity when it’s done. A definite 4/5 from me!</p>
<p><strong>Movie</strong>: <em>Soorma</em></p>.<p><strong>Rating</strong>: 4/5 stars</p>.<p><strong>Director</strong>: Shaad Ali</p>.<p><strong>Cast</strong>: Diljit Dosanjh, Taapsee Pannu, Angad Bedi, Danish Husain, Pitobash, Herry Tangiri, Vijay Raaz, Kulbhushan Kharbanda</p>.<p>When I think of Bollywood sports movies, <em>Lagaan </em>and <em>Chak De! India </em>are the first two that spring to mind. <em>Lagaan </em>is pleasant but low on the rewatch scale. <em>Chak De! </em>is one of the better and more memorable achievements in the genre. I went into <em>Soorma </em>knowing very little about hockey player Sandeep Singh and this movie has somehow converted me into a Sandeep fan.</p>.<p>The biopic is the true story of international player Sandeep who was paralysed after an accidental gunshot and was forced to battle impossible odds to make a comeback. <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/content/654524/not-money-bollywood-want-experiment.html" target="_blank">Diljit Dosanjh</a> is a natural as Sandeep and really makes you believe in the character. The physicality of the actor and the portrayal of hockey skills can make or break a film like this and <em>Soorma </em>shows an impressive attention to detail in these aspects. This is a hockey showcase on an exhilarating, elevated level that leaves something like <em>Chak De! </em>in the dust. I especially enjoyed the nuances of the technique called "drag flicking" that gave Sandeep his nickname "Flicker Singh".</p>.<p>Sandeep’s story feels like fantasy but it works because of the truths on which the tale is built. The real-life Sandeep is apparently proud of the film and it’s not surprising as the drama, pathos and conflicts in the writing never feel excessive or overdone. I was initially worried that a sports biopic would have a love story at its centre. However, <em>Soorma </em>never gives in to cliches or tested formulas. <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/never-planned-foray-any-wood-taapsee-pannu-670863.html" target="_blank">Taapsee Pannu</a>’s character Harpreet is luminous on screen and is a refreshing change from regular love interests as her choices are not governed by what Sandeep wants. In fact, the story flows in a number of unexpected directions without ever meandering.</p>.<p>I do have some minor quibbles. The songs were not many but they definitely slowed down the pace of a movie that is actually edited pretty tightly. The opening scenes, and some later ones, with birds in a field are a perfect example of awful CGI creations that take you out of a film. Fortunately, these elements do not leave a major impact on the viewer.</p>.<p><em>Soorma </em>is the kind of film that surprises, inspires, makes you teary at the right moments and leaves you with an air of positivity when it’s done. A definite 4/5 from me!</p>
