Golondaaj review: Dev Adhikari's movie is a great concept packaged in a mediocre way

3/5

Story:

Golondaaj is a biopic on Nagendra Prasad Sarpadhikari. For the uninitiated, he was the founder of Indian football and thus, the Bengali Babu is considered the Father of Indian Football. Dev Adhikari plays his role in the movie.

Review:

There is a beautiful start to Golondaaj. We get to experience India in the 1800s and obviously, the charm of Bengal in the pre-independence era. You are transported back to the time when India was justifiably called 'Sone Ki Chidiya'. There is nothing about the architecture in the era that disappoints you. Moreover, we come across the story of Nagendra, who has been brought up in a bungalow and is well educated.

Nagendra Prasad Sarpadhikari's first connection with football is quite filmy. He kicks the ball to perfection even when he has never played the sport ever in his life until then.

The movie is quite commercial in all senses. We also see the Britishers treating the Indians cruelly. Nonetheless, Golondaaj has elements like Aamir Khan's Lagaan which makes us eager for what's ahead in the film.

Those who know football well, know about how it has the same spirit as wrestling. That aspect is also explored in the film which is comparatively new for a movie.

Dev, as Nagendra, has an OTT entry but that doesn't come as a surprise considering the execution of Golondaaj so far. The Father of Indian Football is shown as empathetic and determined, which are likely to be true for late Nagendra as a person. He has a peculiar style that also comes to notice. This trademark style makes the experience of Golondaaj more personalised.

Similarly, the antagonist Alexx O'Nell has an OTT entry. Since it is his own accent, Alexx plays the role brilliantly.

Ujan Chatterjee, as Moini Das, has an impactful entry and role. As one of the lead actors, he does justice to the story.

Indu Sahaa has a magical entry which again doesn't come as a surprise since she brings the romantic angle in the film. The moments between her and Dev appear too fictional and thus, unnecessary.

Anirban enters the film as Lord Shiva. It is quite surprising to see him in such a role but again, not so much since he has been experimental in his roles recently. He is seen as an entertainer who takes on many roles. The actor is a surprise in the last scene. At long last, he is seen as the actor Anirban which is much-loved.

How Wellington club came to existence, is an interesting story. How it ended is also quite a story.

Like every biopic ever, the film sees its highest and lowest points. Both of these are a little over the top, as one would expect from the flow of the film.

The dramatic parts tend to get to your nerves after a point. It is just the sporting spirit that keeps you going. There is a moment when two stories are running parallel. Since both the stories are thrilling watches and coincide, it is a good idea for the movie.

Golondaaj manages to imbibe feelings of patriotism in you. There is no denying that. It is because of this feeling that the film has been accepted even when it is OTT in many places.

The final match, with Dev as Nagendra, is quite interesting. Every minute in the game is crucial and your heartbeat rises as you see every step of the players from both teams. In fact, you almost catch your breath in the slow-mo scene where you kind of know what is coming but are still quite tense because of the game.

Dev's expressions in this scene say it all. They are similar to what Shah Rukh Khan had in Chak De! India. And just when you think, the movie has come to an end, there is more. Then you know that the game can change anytime, much like with any sport, especially with soccer.

Verdict:

Golondaaj is your OTT commercial cinema. If you like watching such films, this one is for you. However, generally, the movie only offers you the thrill of watching football over everything else. It surely tries to explore many other elements for which the film deserves credit. However, it is all mellowed down when you look at the overall packaging of the film.

Almost every other moment in Golondaaj is either overdramatised or has too many commercial elements in it. We would recommend you to go watch a football match instead, but if you wish to watch a film with the 80s-90s flavour, you could give Golondaaj a try. Up to you.