M.S. DHONI - THE UNTOLD STORY Movie Review

M.S. Dhoni - The Untold Story is directed by Neeraj Pandey and it stars Sushant Singh Rajput, Disha Patani and Anupam Kher in the lead roles in this biopic of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. 'The Man You Know, The Journey You Don't'.

POSITIVES

• The film touches on all areas attached with Dhoni, from childhood to the winning shot for team India winning the World Cup 2011. Director has given us an insight not only from a young Dhoni who is trying to define his career. We get to see the hard work and dedication on the journey of being a cricketing star. There were many aspects in life that Dhoni had to juggle with as well as putting others into consideration and not forgetting his parents and what they say to him.
• Sushant Singh Rajput really does excel in representing a huge public figure of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and he achieves to add emotion to the story that already is inspiring itself. The director manages to allow Sushant to gel and step into the shoes as if he was the real cricket sportsman, his performance adds a belief on screen.
• The cricket stadiums, the cricketing matches, from local to the international stage, it just hypes up the movie so much more. The beautiful sounds of background score music glorifies the sporting effort and Sushant as Dhoni really does set the stage up in light, but it is Sushant Singh Rajput who manages to show how dedication can turn one in to a warrior. The in-depth research into the real world has been combined fine in giving a tribute to MS Dhoni. The world cup final is just another part to add more thrill to admire this biopic. It's like falling in love with cricket all over again.
• Another positive from the team behind the film is the CGI visuals that were shown with fine work. Yes, it isn’t real but it must of had huge efforts put behind it to make it seem realistic and make you sense the moment is happening as you are watching the movie.

NEGATIVES

• This is a story and a journey all the fans of cricket supporters and fans of Dhoni wanted to see. The characters dictate a good film script and manage to push the narration forward. But what does distract a little bit is the stretched screenplay that seems to add a dull affect and to some extent puts a downer to the journey story that sparks like Dhoni's batting. If the script was completely spot on as strong as Dhoni’s cricketing character, then this could have been an emphatic movie to showcase in depth. The long duration of the film, much has been screened, but there should have been so much more that had to be shown to the viewers.
• The film leaves gaps in the field, perspectives that the fans want to see through the eyes of Dhoni and how he juggled pressure and friendship as well as leading a team full of stars in the locker room. I felt the film was lacking some of Dhoni's work ethics in maintaining a group together, did he come across any separations within the team camp or was it all perfect for him in leading the team? With a screenplay stretched so heavily with unimportant scenes, it could have been swapped to show how the captain dealt with obstacles in the locker room and taking them to winning the biggest trophy on the grandest stage of them all. Yes, we do see a part in the film where Dhoni as a captain makes a decision with the selectors, but we should have been given much more than what we were as an audience. Also what about Dhoni's emphatic skills as a wicket keeper and lightning fast stumping that he has presented over the years? This is hugely attached with Dhoni and it was not presented and that was neglected especially when the film manages to give significant glimpses of his batting much more.

CAST

SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT- Shows determination, desire, thrive and confidence in taking a challenge with the eagerness to succeed as Dhoni. Along with the mindset of wanting to be the best, he adds the attitude to the screen with a performance that fulfils a dream as he is a dream chaser. He imitates Dhoni, portrays an identical representation making this biography an engaging one. Along with a hardworking cricket player he adds a love dimension showcasing another side to Dhoni trying to work his charm, that the public never got to know about in details. He completely justifies his inclusion and does not disappoint, it was fitting to see a star attempt to be Dhoni through appearance nicely. 

DISHA PATANI - A small role for a female added in to this very male dominated movie. She adds glamour to the film, a pretty girl who was just beginning to add a love angle to the story of Dhoni. Her brief spell helps derail the attention from the sport and the struggle and brings a smile to Dhoni.

ANUPAM KHER - A father figure giving concern and support, belief and anger just to pamper up his son in to making the right choices in life. He is believable like any father would be like. His acting never falters and maintains a serious figure for the audience to either agree with or disagree with.

KIARA ADVANI - Another part of Dhoni's life turns this cricket star into a romantic individual, a side to Sushant that shows him away from the cricketing world but also she plays the figure affected by the media spotlight. A person less interested in the cricket and more into the man himself. But her presence allows us to see that Dhoni is just as good being a good man to a lady as he is as a captain and a cricket player.

RATING

Overall I would rate M.S. Dhoni - The Untold Story 4/5. The film was engaging, moving, despite being dragged and lengthy, the film exploits many areas and aspects in the inner and outer life of MS Dhoni. Performance is terrific by Sushant Singh Rajput; he seems to have played many battles off the film whilst his career on the field was a battle too. The first half is slow, not because it is not likeable, it simply is a mix match of high tense moments followed by some wasteful some needless scenes. The second half nails it just like Dhoni does as a captain. The film drifts in between failure, family, love, success and highly important decision making. The film is packed with informative awareness and it sure does leave you with goosebumps throughout. Every shot that he hits, every game that he wins, the commentary and the crowd, it adds to the buzz in this biopic, a film you will not want to miss. It is not just about India as a nation, every fan of cricket from any background should watch to see how a passion of cricket can change one’s life.