There are multiple motivational stories around us whom we all are familiar with but little can they touch our soul. Among them we can consider Shaad Ali’s directorial venture Soorma, the story of an Indian hockey player cum Captain Sandeep Singh. Positive word of mouth publicities on such inspiring story had impelled audiences in movie theatre. This is a story of human spirit, about a sportsman who made headlines after an unfortunate incident and his miraculous comeback. This film portrayed up and downs of Sandeep Singh’s life.
Storyline: Shahabad –where young Sandeep(The capital of Indian hockey team) were grown up with a sole dream of becoming part of the Indian hockey team. He sent to Karter Singh’s coaching centre to learn hockey but unreasonably stern behaviour of his coach Sandeep’s viewpoint suddenly wear off. He spent most of the time in his uncle’s agricultural field. But three things bring him back to his dream. One of them, his brother Bikramjeet’s failure to select for the national hockey team, second family’s inspiration, motivation of their children to take part of India and see them to Indian jersey. Finally Sandeep falls in love with hockey player Harpreet which makes him tolerate Karter’s Sings disgust bullying. Hockey thus become the purpose of his life. His drag flick shot was first noticed by his brother which makes him to become the member of national hockey team in coach Harry’s academy. Here in first half of the movie we saw Shaad Ali gives his total strength to making of Flicker Singh. And his life was changed after an accidental gunshot in 2006. Here director seems very clear to tell a story of an ordinary man to achieve his goals extraordinary feats. Sandeep came back like a warrior, that’s why film called Soorma, means warrior.
What is Good: This film was well balanced-a perfect mixture of comedy, emotion and drama. In lead role Diljit Dosanjh is superb, magical. His pain, his comedy lit up in every single frame of the movie in which he is in. Taapsee Pannu is impressive in the role of Harpreet. Love equation of Diljit and Taapsee add extra marks into this film. In Sandeep’s character Diljit has done a fantastic job on account of Simplicity and complexity as per requirement. Angad Bedi plays a protective and caring elder brother. Kulbushan Kharbandas as the chairman of the hockey federation give you positivity. And special mention for Vijay Raaz. Whenever he appears to the silver screen audience laugh and enjoy, his show stealing performance as Sandeep’s coach.
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio and lyrics by Gulzar shab again on right track. After Raazi they giving us hardcore Punjabi song which is so good to hear. Soorma anthem is definitely the special mention. But the title track, Ishq Di Baajiyaan & Pardesiya are not used in satisfactory way.
What is Bad: Yet again Shaad Ali missed the golden opportunity. From siblings bond to father-son relationship, cute love story to Indo-Pak match Soorma splits itself into many direction and focus on one. Direction is the main flaw of this film. Unsteady camerawork, the fade in-fade out transformation & many things stand in the way of your observation. On-screen you don’t feel what you expect from the hype. Dull moments and emotions are forced at many places. Some inaccurate information gives throughout this film which any hockey expert or sports enthusiastic shall easily catch. Comeback 2009 Commonwealth Championship, India faced Pakistan in the final. India won 4-3 and Sandeep got a hat-trick. In reality there is no such match took place and no such tournament known as Commonwealth Championship in hockey back then. In fact his comeback tournament was the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2009. And he scored the most number of goals in the tournament. However the movie as a whole kept good impact on the silver screen, such films Bollywood should make very often. After all the choice of today’s audience are something which should not be ignored.