In one of the finest examples of true acting, Shreyas Talpade captures Tambe’s never-ending spirit with a supremely honest performance that keeps us hooked to the narrative
In one of the finest examples of true acting, Shreyas Talpade captures Tambe’s never-ending spirit with a supremely honest performance that keeps us hooked to the narrative
Over the years, sports biopics in Hindi cinema have become like an Indian Premier League game where the director wants the audience to be the cheerleaders dancing to a scintillating background score. Most of them exhibit the formation of only one star. There is hardly any room for stories of hundreds of talented and determined players who could not make it to the top league and were casually labeled as under-achievers. The algorithmic screenplay of such films leaves little room for self-doubt and struggle with inner demons that often hinder a player’s development in a cutthroat environment.
This week is an exception, as director Jayprad Desai traces the life and times of Pravin Tambe, who for years slogged in the local division league in the hope that one day he would make it to the Mumbai Ranji team. Here’s the story of an underdog who doesn’t want to be top dog until the climax. In the end, he catches the eye of Rahul Dravid, who probably has a copper inside, and is selected for the Indian Premier League. By that time the coppers had crossed 40, but as one selector says, their battery is fully charged. As the copper hits the stumps and heads into the limelight, the adjective quickly swings from under-achiever to late bloomer.
More than the action on the ground, how the man from Mulund fulfills his modest dream is a thrilling watch. Moments with his family, friends and coach create a fascinating tapestry of emotions that make you believe in honesty, hard work and luck. Screenwriter Kiran Yajnopaveet creates situations that feel light but pierces the conscience.
Tambe does odd jobs to keep the kitchen running and sells his Man of the Match award to pay for his son’s school fees, but the most interesting segment is where his coach Vidyadhar Paradkar (Ashish Vidyarthi) manages to keep the medium running. Let’s try- Fast bowler into a leg spinner. Imagine that a Bharatanatyam dancer is asked to do Kathak one day; It provides an insight into the mind of a player in the popular idiom and the role of a good coach on the ground called life.
In one of the finest examples of true acting, Shreyas Talpade embodies the never-losing spirit of copper and provides an interesting counterpoint in these yo-yo times when players are expected to wear their attitude on their short sleeves .
It’s not just bowling action, Shreyas shows Tambe’s carefree attitude without any skill. In a way, Tambe’s career graph is similar to that of Shreyas, as the actor has not been able to reach the next level despite being consistently good and persevering.
As Iqbal (2005), he has been on the pitch before, but Shreyas makes sure Tambe doesn’t miss Iqbal. It is his honest performance that keeps us hooked even when the script goes loose and the story creates havoc.
In sports journalist Sanyal (Parambrata Chatterjee), writer Kiran Yadavopvit has created a big obstacle in Tambe’s path. He may have been one of the voices to represent the ecosystem, but Desai values a journalist who is only jealous of Copper’s patience.
Curiously, the film does not discuss the new-found usefulness of ‘all-rounders’, with the advent of T20 cricket where age is not as important as in the five-day game. Once a bits-and-piece player for the traditional format, the Indian Premier League has helped him gain a foothold in all forms of cricket. Interestingly, Tambe got a chance to play Ranji after his IPL debut. It doesn’t speak to the need for characters in the dugout, whose interesting backstories could fill the honey story space on news pages. The film also does not explain why a journalist would block the path of a cricketer who could turn out to be a good imitation.
More importantly, the background score doesn’t go along with the heartwarming performance. It strikes the same stock tunes that compel discerning viewers to press the mute button. Maybe the director wants to showcase that cutting edge environment where copper is concerned, but even then, that doesn’t go with the personality of the film.
Having said that, Desai has populated the screen space with a capable support cast. Anjali Patil (as Tambe’s wife Vaishali), Chhaya Kadam (Tambe’s mother) and Vidyarthi ensure that there is no miscommunication while running between the wickets and the late bloomer gets his due.
Who is Praveen Tambe? Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar