Rating : 3.9/5
Genre : Drama
Year : 2016
Running time : 2 hours 20 minutes
Director : Neeraj Pandey
Cast : Sushant Singh Rajput, Kiara Advani, Anupam Kher, Disha Patani, Kumud Mishra, Rajesh Sharma
Kid rating: G
I hadn’t expected much from “M.S. Dhoni”. So I’m pleasantly surprised that it was such a good film – well-told, interestingly spun and engaging.
It is, as the title says, about Dhoni – early life to his success. We do get unexpected information about a private tragedy – information apparently not made public until the film came out. The romance is played out per Hindi film rules. Dhoni gets a just portrayal, a man with integrity and leadership qualities. A man with many friends. It was also quite heartening to see the strong support system he had – from family to friends to co-workers.
Sushant Singh Rajput is a talented and versatile actor; his many quality films (Kai Po Che, Shudh Desi Romance) lie in evidence. I do think that he lacks a certain oomph – I can’t see him being picked to do a suave, chocolate-hero kinda role. That very “everyman” quality serves him well here. He is Dhoni (although the long hair which looks great on the man himself, looked awkward on him). I appreciate the character more because of Rajput’s valiant effort.
There are films without a story (the majority), and there are films with a decent storyline (the minority). This is one of the latter. MS Dhoni is fairly predictable, because you probably know about Dhoni already, but it is still interesting because it gives us an intimate look at Dhoni’s life, his various trials and tribulations and how he overcame them. It makes this very public personality’s life personal. This film had heart, and good intentions, and it delivers on them.
Recommended.
Kidwise: Clean. Family-friendly.
Recommendations if you liked this film: Lagaan, Chak De India, Iqbal.
