Introduction:
We're introduced to an unemployed Arjun Talwar (Shahid Kapoor), a middle-aged parent whose love for cricket is obvious because his son has the same goal, and as a result, he asks his father for a jersey. While Arjun strives to fulfil such a simple wish for his son, Mrs Talwar, Vidya (Mrunal Thakur) wishes for him to return to his former work, but Arjun wishes to return to the field of his long-lost dreams.
Vidya asks him to pick between two unthinkable possibilities once he decides to begin the second innings of his life. What will Arjun pick, and will Vidya still support him if he chooses cricket? A father resolves to begin his life using the shards of an unmet promise, and what follows next is the story of Jersey.
Analysis:
Jersey retains the original director of its predecessor in the Telugu adaptation, following the already proven and established template (also by a Shahid Kapoor film). Jersey's original director Gowtam Tinnanuri, like Sandeep Reddy Vanga in Kabir Singh, controls the ship of the Hindi adaptation as well. This is how a movie/subject should be adapted: by commissioning the same mastermind to do the trick again, but with different material. Fortunately, I dove into this sea of surprises without first watching Nani's version, which allowed me to go deeper into Arjun's turbulent existence and develop a better connection.
Yes, it employs all of the standard sports film cliches, such as rising through family issues and predictable last-ball deciding matches, but the narrative does not rely primarily on these notions. Aside from cricket matches and family drama, you have a lot to cover, such as a father-unbreakable son's tie, a couple's tumultuous relationship, and an inside look at a man who could've been (or could be by the end).
Gowtam Tinnanuri's superb character development allows him to paint Arjun so vividly that he speaks loudest when he has nothing to say. When the world is headed toward a short-content-consumption era, it's always a treat to see a film clock 170 minutes and keep the suspense alive for a significant portion of the time. A story that depicts a character's journey from beginning to end, instilling even a glimpse of hope in many troubled lives.
Apart from the sports sequences, which are presented highly game-like with some close-up shots, Anil Mehta gives his customary best in the scenes. The pause-and-pan camera technique used in a few cricket shots works wonderfully in the makers' favour. In another excellent move, the filmmakers retain the same editor, Naveen Nooli, who knows exactly what should be kept and what should be cut.
Find the trailer below:
Stars and their Performance:
Even when Shahid Kapoor isn't portraying your typical guy-next-door, chocolaty hero type of character for a long time, the image pops up when it's needed. In this case, even though Arjun is a serious person, Shahid simply smiles and does something strange to his face to shift the tone in the same sequence. Shahid not only captures the fatherly side of Arjun, but he also captures the cricketer's side. He has a lot of fun with his expressions, and he can pull off any mood with ease.
Thank the holy heavens, Mrunal Thakur's Vidya isn't just another flowerpot character to replace the vacuum left by the absence of a starring lady. Vidya has a significant impact on what Arjun accomplishes in the film, and Mrunal portrays the dark side of struggle with remarkable conviction. While Arjun is struggling, Vidya demonstrates how difficult the situation is for the entire family. There's a part where she smiles while crying, and I couldn't stop a single tear from falling down the side of my eyes.
Pankaj Kapur plays a father-figure mentor to Shahid Kapoor's Arjun, and the script cleverly leverages their real-life friendship to provide a comforting dimension on-screen. Pankaj Ji, in all of his elements, also provides humorous relief at times, demonstrating why he is truly an 'all-rounder' in this game. Ronit Kamra, who plays Shahid's kid, is responsible for not one but several situations based on his subtle reactions. Ronit creates this delicate air around him without breaking any lines, mastering every situation he's in.
Direction and Music:
People like Gowtam Tinnanuri explain why there doesn't need to be a confrontation in the midst of the Bollywood vs. South discussion. When you can combine emotions from different stories and combine them with similar aspects, you can extend the target audience of a similar story. It's mind-boggling to consider how little changes to the same story might broaden its appeal by serving a larger range of people. Gowtam assembles an emotional entourage around one guy, demonstrating how the changes in his life impacted everyone around him.
According to my memory, this is Anirudh's first 'Bollywood film for which he composed the score, and he continues to wave his magical wand for this one as well. The thumpy background score, which isn't 'noise' to your ears, lends a lot of punch to several sequences. Sachet–songs Parampara's are well-placed, although the compositions may have been far better.
Conclusion:
After all, is said and done, Shahid Kapoor continues to compile some intriguing innings in his second act, and Jersey is unquestionably one of them. A rare and nearly perfect combination of drama, (predictable-yet-interesting) game, and everything else.
Jersey is a well-intentioned sports drama that, like the original, has heart in the right place. It is based on Shahid Kapoor's outstanding performance as a cricketer, who rises to roar and mutiny. While the tempo is slow, especially in the first half, and the runtime should have been cut, the cricketing moments and emotional core in the climax make for a pleasant experience. It's a faithful remake that stays loyal to the original's world.
My Rating: 7/10
