‘Kaun Pravin Tambe?’ movie review: The late bloomer deserves a chance
The Hindu
In one of the finest examples of truthful acting, Shreyas Talpade embodies Tambe’s never-say-die spirit with an immensely sincere performance that keeps us glued to the narrative
In the last few years, sports biopics in Hindi cinema have become like an Indian Premier League game where the director wants the audience to be the cheerleader dancing to a rousing background score. Most of them only showcase the making of a star. There is hardly any space for the stories of hundreds of those talented and determined players who could not make it to the top leagues and are casually labeled under-achievers. The algorithm-like screenplays of such films have little space for the struggle with self-doubts and inner demons that often hinder a sportsperson’s growth in the cutthroat environment.
This week is an exception, as director Jayprad Desai traces the life and times of Pravin Tambe who kept slogging away in the local division leagues for years in the hope that one day he would make it to the Mumbai Ranji squad. Here is the story of an underdog who doesn’t necessarily want to be the top dog by the climax. Ultimately, he catches the eye of Rahul Dravid, who perhaps carries a Tambe inside him, and is picked for the Indian Premier League. By that time Tambe has crossed 40 but, as one of the selectors says, his battery is fully charged. As Tambe hits the stumps and makes it to the headlines, the adjective quickly spins from under-achiever to late bloomer.
More than the action on the ground, how the man from Mulund keeps fueling his modest dream makes for a riveting watch. The moments with his family, friends, and coach create an enchanting tapestry of emotions that make you believe in honesty, hard work, and a dash of luck. Screenwriter Kiran Yadnyopavit generates situations that feel light but penetrate the conscience.
Tambe does odd jobs to keep the kitchen running and sells his man of the match prizes to pay for the school fees of his son, but the most interesting segment is the one where his coach Vidyadhar Paradkar (Ashish Vidyarthi) tries to turn the medium-pacer into a leg spinner. Imagine a Bharatanatyam dancer being asked to perform Kathak one day; it provides an insight into a player’s mind in popular idiom and the role of a good coach on the ground called life.
In one of the finest examples of truthful acting, Shreyas Talpade embodies Tambe’s never-say-die spirit and provides an interesting counterpoint in these Yo-Yo times when players are expected to wear their attitude on their short sleeves.
It is not just the bowling action, Shreyas showcases Tambe’s unflinching attitude with no artifice. In a way, Tambe’s career graph is similar to Shreyas’, as the actor also could not make it to the next level despite being consistently good and persevering.
As Iqbal (2005), he has been on the pitch before, but Shreyas ensures that Tambe doesn’t evoke the memory of Iqbal. It is his sincere performance that keeps us glued even when the screenplay becomes flabby and the storytelling fumbles.