There was a time when two or more films would be released on the same Friday in movie theatres. Now the competition has shifted to the home medium.
On March 20, a day after Holi,Allu Arjun’s pan-India blockbuster Pushpa The Rise will premier on Dhinkchak TV, while Kabir Khan’s World Cup bio-pic ‘83 on Kapil Dev premieres on Star Gold .
What is surprising is that both the large-arched films are being premiered on the same day at the same time(8 pm) on different channels
If this isn’t a direct clash, what is?!
In the movie theatres, Pushpa already has a huge edge over 83. However since ’83 is about cricket it may find a larger acceptance on television than it did in the movie theatres.
In Pushpa Allu Arjun is exceptionally effective as the forest-bred bandit who takes on the sandalwood mafia. The film, sad to say, is woefully crude and tactless, unleashing the kind of melodramatic maelstrom that may have appealed two decades earlier. Now, it all seems way too gruff grisly and oldworld to be forgiven as mere “entertainment”.
Kabir Khan’s ’83 brings back to us the great 1983 victory with a vividness we have not experienced before in any sports drama. Kabir Khan cleverly kicks into India’s obsession with cricket and eventually turns an underdog saga into a triumphant tale unforeseen heroism. The casting of the cricketers, so crucial to the efficacy of the end-product, is almost impeccable. Jiva as Srikkant and Amy Wirk as Balwinder Sandhu are notably effective.
What works wonderfully in the film’s favour is the team’s commitment to getting it right. The matches look authentic. Cameo appearances by Kapil Dev and Lala Amarnath do not appear gimmicky. No one is in this for attention. There is a sense of profound commitment underlining even the most crowdwooing moments, such as that recurring visual of a little boy with his father rooting for Kapil, or Boman Irani as a radio commentator sobbing at the end.
’83 is not a film to be taken lightly. It is relevant and historic and yet it succeeds in not being selfimportant. Standing tall at the apex of the drama is Kapil Dev, the affable desi captain of the team, so kind and yet a born leader.
