Dhoni (2012)

Director: Prakash Raj
Story: Prakash Raj
Cast: Prakash Raj, Aakash, Radhika Apte 
Music: Ilayaraja
Time: 136 minutes
Bottom-line: A strong message; a powerful performance by Prakash Raj

Two things I want to make clear, before writing the review. One, this is not a biopic about the cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Two, cricket itself is only the secondary theme. Like 3 Idiots and Tare Zameen Par, the film takes a realistic look at the current state of the education system in India (Tamil Nadu rather). The film stars Prakash Raj - who continues to give impressive performances - Aakash and Radhika Apte in the lead roles. Ilayaraja also does a great job with the score.

Prakash Raj as Subbu

Subbu (Prakash Raj) is a widowed, middle class man, who struggles to make ends meet, often borrowing from a moneylender, Ghani Bhai. He has a boy, Karthick (Aakash), who aspires to become a cricketer, having Dhoni as an inspiration. However, he is poor in studies, and hence all the teachers in his school scold him. His has a sister, Kaveri (Sriteja). One of Subbu’s neighbours is Nalini (Apte). Karthick’s cricket coach (Nassar) is all praise for him, but as the school becomes strict regarding education, Subbu decides to take Karthick away from cricket, and makes him join tuitions. Eventually, Subbu gets so fed up of Karthick’s passion with cricket, that he beats him, and Karthick goes into a coma. How Subbu repents for his sins, and what he does for Karthick are shown in the film.

Radhika Apte as Nalini

The acting by Prakash Raj is top notch. He is one of the few actors acting today, who can play any sort of role: a comedian sort of role (in Mozhi) or a fatherly role (Abhiyum Naanum and this film) a villainous role (Ghilli) or any serious role (as in Kanchivaram). Even in this film, he makes you laugh with some subtle humour, he makes you empathise with him, and he makes you think. Though he overacts in a few places, his performance is still sublime. Aakash and Sriteja, the child actors, have done a decent job and Radhika Apte has done well too. I also liked the acting of Murali Sharma, who plays Ghani Bhai. The scenes in which I liked the acting are the ones where Subbu asks his son what 17 times 8 is, and an exchange of dialogues between father and son follows. The scene where Subbu talks in the reality show Neeya Naana and the scene where he argues with the history teacher in Karthick’s school are equally good.

Aakash as Karthick

The first half of the story is more fun-filled, with few serious moments here and there. Prakash Raj entertains us with his little bits of humour. By the time the song Vilayaattaa Padagottyi gets over, the film takes a serious turn. But, other than few scenes of comedy that could have been cut, the film has no other needless scenes. The film deals with the state of the current education system in India, where no matter what talents a student has, schools always give importance only to studies. Karthick, a talented cricketer, is poor in studies, and due to constant belittling by his school, his father also fails to understand him. The other issue that is dealt with is the way parents force their children to study a particular subject, instead of asking them to follow their interest. In one dialogue, Prakash Raj also tells how schools make a fortune by asking parents to buy all unnecessary things for school.

The portrayal of middle class is also quite authentic. The way Subbu struggles to make ends meet to give his children good education is shown in a realistic manner. While Subbu earns by working in a government office and often borrowing from a moneylender, his neighbour Nalini has different means of earning, which is not exactly proper. How her life turns out is also shown. But other than the story, I also liked the cinematography and the music. The two songs Thaavi thaavi pogum and Vilayaattaa Padagottyi are two of the best songs I have heard among recent films.

Sriteja as Kaveri

To sum up, Prakash Raj’s Dhoni is a film that should be watched by all fathers (or anyone) who wants to give a good life to his child. The portrayal of the middle class lifestyle and education system of India are realistic too. Watch for Prakash Raj’s splendid acting, Ilayaraja’s mesmerising score and a good story overall. You may think 4 on 5 is a bit overrated, but I loved this film.

My Rating: 4/5