- ‘Kaun Pravin Tambe’ is the movie about a cricketer who started to rise in his 40s, an age where cricketers take up retirement roles
- The movie has shown varying aspects of his life, including his personal as well as professional life
- The movie deserves a screen release
While watching MS Dhoni’s biopic, you must have observed that whilst Dhoni got his deserved fame, most of his compatriots were lost in oblivion. Due to varying reasons, they could not show perseverance. In another part of the country, one cricketer did persist. ‘Kaun Pravin Tambe’ is a pictorial description of that story.
An apt description of a struggler’s life
It is not a typical biopic of a sports star. Why would it be, after all? Pravin’s life and tryst with Cricket is not a typical one. Other than a talent that went unrecognized for many years, it’s the twists and turns in both his personal as well as professional life that make him stand in a totally different league of cricketers.
By describing how a sports person’s life becomes hell if he does not reach his desired heights at the correct age, the moviemakers have subtly hinted why every cricketer who has even an iota of chance to play at the top level sacrifices his day and night for one coveted chance. Frankly speaking, Pravin’s life before his glamour days is a web of lies.
Mixed bag life in his struggling days
When he goes for Ranji selection trial at 40, he is shown bowling against his friend’s son. After the kid gets bamboozled, his father lies to him about thrashing Pravin Tambe in his younger days. Pravin has to take it in like a poor man eating a sour grape given to him by his billionaire owners. Pravin knew that no one would believe him as he did not have the backing of playing a single Ranji match during his supposedly ‘best days’.
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The only constant in Pravin’s life is the love of his family. His father and elder brother provided immense support to Pravin’s dreams in his younger days. Though his mother is initially not shown to be explicitly supporting it as she feared her son would be forgotten one day, Pravin remained a child for her. Later, the ownership of the child was transferred to his wife, who apparently ended up raising three children.
Pravin is shown facing his fair share of criticism
Frankly, no one believed Pravin Tambe in his 30s, except for him and those who had witnessed his earlier exploits. His wife did not understand Cricket, but she did understand Tambe and knew that one day he will get to the heights to merit his talent.
Typically, sports biopics do not have villains, but they do have a constant critic. In the movie about India’s 1983 world cup win, a Wisden Journalist who ate his words after India’s victory fulfilled this role. Rajat Sanyal, a journalist played by Parambrata Chatterjee fills this void in Tambe’s story. He was a constant naysayer in Pravin’s life. No matter how good Pravin plays, he keeps denying his talent.
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There is another critic of Pravin Tambe in the movie, his coach played by Ashish Vidyarthi. He was the one who advised Pravin to change his bowling style from medium pace to spin. Pravin was initially reluctant, but after a match in which he was forced to bowl spin due to injury, there was no looking back for Pravin.
The movie is a full package
The movie should also be applauded for showcasing both positive and negative sides of a struggling cricketer’s life. On one hand, very few people believed him, while on the other, the man is fully trusted by the company through which he earns his livelihood. Not just Pravin Tambe, Companies support many other budding cricketers as well.
The movie is a full package. It won’t make you hate anyone. You won’t be shutting down your laptop with disgruntlement in your heart against anyone. In fact, you will love Pravin Tambe more. It is unfortunate that the movie was not released on the silver screen.
