4.0/5
Syed Abdul Rahim, a towering figure in Indian football history, is renowned for his revolutionary tactics and unparalleled coaching prowess. As the architect behind India’s golden era in football during the 1950s and 1960s, Rahim’s innovative strategies and dedication to the sport left an indelible mark on the nation’s football landscape. Rahim unfortunately died of cancer nine months after his greatest triumph, India’s gold medal win at the 1962 Asian Games at Jakarta. Sadly, the Indian football team, once described as the Brazil of the East for its all-attack formation, never could reach those heights. Things would certainly been different if he was with us some more time.
His keen understanding of the game, coupled with his ability to nurture and mould young talent, propelled India to numerous triumphs on the international stage, including the historic gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games. Rahim’s legacy extends far beyond his achievements on the field; he remains a source of inspiration for generations of football enthusiasts, revered for his unwavering commitment to excellence and his role in shaping the future of Indian football.
Regional pride versus national integrity becomes the point of contention between Rahim (Ajay Devgn) and his chief adversary (Rudranil Ghosh) in the Football Federation of India, who is backed by a powerful sports writer (Gajraj Rao). While he’s readying a world-beating team, travelling the length and breadth of India in search of talent, games are being played behind his back to bring him down and tarnish his reputation. In the bargain, football suffers. That, sadly, hasn’t changed till now. Regional politics has been the bane of every sport in India, and football is the heaviest casualty.
The film, which had been in development hell for a while, gets the sports action right. You’re mesmerised by the on-field action, as stalwarts like Chuni Goswami, PK Banerjee, Peter Thangaraj, Jarnail Singh, Tulsidas Balaram, Neville D’Souza – played by Amartya Ray, Chaitanya Sharma, Tejas Ravishankar, Davinder Singh, Sushant Waydande, Aryann Bhowmik respectively – are seen giving their blood, sweat and tears to the beautiful game. In today’s volatile time, it’s great to see a Muslim coach preaching camaraderie and togetherness, saying that you may be eleven on the field but should play as one.
Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of Syed Abdul Rahim in Maidaan captures the essence of the legendary coach’s persona with remarkable depth and authenticity. Devgn’s portrayal breathes life into Rahim’s character, showcasing his passion for the sport, his astute tactical acumen, and his unwavering determination to overcome obstacles. Through his nuanced performance, Devgn brings to light the complexities of Rahim’s leadership style and his ability to inspire and motivate his players to achieve greatness against all odds. Maidaan not only pays tribute to Rahim’s remarkable legacy but also serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of sports and the enduring impact of visionary leaders like Syed Abdul Rahim. Priyamani plays Saira, Rahim’s wife in the film, and their old-fashioned interaction, where they display their affection through their eyes and expressions, brings a smile to your face. Rishabh Joshi makes his presence felt in his small role as Rahim’s son Hakim, who also played for India under his father. Rudranil Ghosh and Gajraj Rao as the scheming, egotistical creatures trying to take the reins of Indian football in their hands are the perfect foil for Devgn’s honest-to-goodness act.
All-in-all, director Amit Ravindernath Sharma has given us a riveting sports drama. Watch it to see the recreation of the golden period of Indian football and for the acting masterclass displayed by Ajay Devgn.
Trailer : Maidaan
Dhaval Roy, April 9, 2024, 1:57 AM IST
4.0/5
Story: The movie follows India’s greatest football coach, SA Rahim, and his decade-long lone journey in ushering in the sport’s Golden Era.
Review: The sweat and blood on the turf during the Golden Era of Indian football (the 1950s and the 60s) earned the team the moniker Brazilians of Asia. Chuni Goswami, P K Banerjee, Peter Thangaraj, Tulsidas Balaram, Jarnail Singh, and Pradyut Barman brought home the gold at the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games and finished fourth at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956—the best-ever finish. While these were the legends on the field, Maidaan pays homage to Syed Abdul Rahim, who is hailed as the greatest football coach and manager India has seen.
In the final match between India and South Korea at the Asian Games 1962, Rahim (Ajay Devgn) motivates the footballers with a speech on the power of one. He says while there will be 11 players on the field, it will be ‘one’ team. The whole cast and crew of the film mirror the sentiment. Amit Ravindernath Sharma’s direction, Saiwyn Quadras’s screenplay, Tushar Kanti Ray’s cinematography, and last but not least, AR Rahman’s soundtrack and background score make the movie as exciting as the FIFA finale matches. Sports directors of photography Fyodor Lyass, Tassaduq Hussain, and Christopher Reed deserve special mention for recreating the final match that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The film immortalises not only the beleaguered behemoth that the Indian football team was but also Rahim as a tactician and a revolutionary coach. He believed in the nation’s potential as a football giant and built a world-class team, handpicking the best talents and harnessing their prowess. He did so while battling the politics in the football federation and an influential sports journalist, Roy Choudhary (Gajraj Rao), who was his biggest naysayer.
The narrative’s highlight is how succinctly it packs in so much about the era, the football team, and Rahim’s personal challenges without losing its grip on the storytelling. You will stay hooked, cheer, and be moved throughout the film.
Ajay Devgn shines as Rahim, becoming a larger-than-life figure despite a quiet, understated, dignified demeanour. Priyamani, as his wife Saira, is impressive in every scene. Gajraj Rao, as the devious journalist, hits it out of the park. The team of titans, including Chaitanya Sharma as PK Banerjee, Amartya Ray as Chuni Goswami, Davinder Singh (Jarnail Singh), Tejas Ravishankar (Peter Thangraj), Aryann Bhowmik (Neville D’souza), and other actors resemble the real-life legends to the hilt.
Maidaan is a must-watch on the big screen for the thrilling experience and outstanding storytelling. It truly emulates the dialogue in the movie, ‘Kismat haathon se nahi, paeron se likhi jaati hai,’ as the team puts its best foot forward with the stellar outing!
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