‘Jersey’ Review: A Hard-Hitting, Wholesome Sports Drama That Will Tug At Your Heartstrings. A Must-Watch
I’m just going to begin with the fact that I am not a fan of sports drama films. Normally, I’d run in the other direction upon hearing anything about this genre but some movies are just worth a watch, if not for the genre and the story, then for the impeccable acting. Plus I’m a hardcore Shahid Kapoor fan so, I did not need much convincing to watch his latest sports drama Jersey. Written and Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, Jersey is based on the director’s 2019 Telugu film of the same name. Produced by Allu Entertainment, Dil Raju Productions, Sithara Entertainments and Brat Films, this film is all set to hit the theatres on April 22. It also stars Mrunal Thakur and Pankaj Kapur in pivotal roles.
The Story Of Jersey
Jersey follows the story of a former cricketer who returns to the pitch at the age of 36. It all begins when his son asks for a jersey on his birthday. In order to earn the money to get his son the gift he wants, Arjun Talwar (played by Shahid Kapoor) goes back to the game only to realise that his passion for cricket deserves more. He goes on the journey to rediscover his passion and play for the country at the age of 36 to prove his worth to his family and be the hero his son deserves. But what happens when he has to choose between family and passion? Well, you’ll just have to watch it to find out.
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Since the director of this remake was the same as the original film, the essence of the story remains the same. So, it’s safe to say that it’s a faithful remake and IMHO, it’s going to be a successful one too.
The Cast And Characters
To say that Shahid Kapoor had outdone himself would be an understatement. Shahid Kapoor brought so much to the table with his phenomenal acting. TBH, Shahid Kapoor managed to steal the show with his portrayal of Arjun Talwar who defies all odds to carve a space for himself in sports at the age of 36. The actor delivered a truly heart-touching performance. Arjun Talwar is a skillfully crafted character and Shahid practically brought him to life with his outstanding performance. He plays a husband, father and sportsman and manages to balance it all with such ease. More importantly, as a cricketer, Shahid managed to play his game pretty damn well. The hard work that went behind the actor’s preparations to play this role was evident.
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Mrunal Thakur will win your heart with the portrayal of Arjun’s wife Vidya. She breathed life into Vidya’s character with her nuanced performance. We’ve known Mrunal to be a natural actor and she just proved us right with her skilful acting. She presented all the emotions, chaos, frustration and fears of Vidya and ways that no one else could’ve. More importantly, she made of a rather relatable character who is not just an independent working woman but also runs her household and thinks practically. And the chemistry between Shahid Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur in Jersey was unmissable. Though I must be honest, I did expect Mrunal Thakur to have a meatier role in Jersey but I’m not very upset that she didn’t because she made for a great relatable character and the fact remains that the story was about the father-son duo.
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Also Read: ‘Jersey’ Actress Mrunal Thakur On How She Chooses Her Roles: Says She Wants The Audience To Relate To Her Character
Pankaj Kapur, on the other hand, is rather unforgettable. The actor delivered an outstanding performance while playing the role of a coach and a father figure to Arjun Talwar. This film focuses a lot on a father-son duo (Arjun and his son Ketan aka Kittu), this real-life father-son duo gave us food for the soul with their on-screen camaraderie. NGL but my love for Pankaj Kapur’s amazing acting and personality makes me want to say this – WE GOTTA PROTECT HIM AT ALL COSTS!
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The rest of the cast – Ronit Kamra, Prit Kamani and Geetika Mehandru, also played their roles well. It was heart-warming to watch Ronit Kamra and Shahid Kapoor playing the father-son duo. I must say, they did bring the bond of their relationship to life on-screen. I did wish I would get to see more of Prit Kamani and Geetika Mehandru but let me put this out there, their performance is impressive.
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Final Verdict: To Watch Or Not To Watch Jersey
I am giving this film 4 out of 5 stars and here’s why. The acting is pretty damn amazing, to put it in simple words. Shahid Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur, Pankaj Kapur and the rest of the actors were cast with perfection. I cannot imagine anyone else delivering such a moving performance. Having said that this film is not just your regular sports drama. It’s not the self-absorbed story of a man trying to make his mark as a sportsman. No, it’s about a father, a husband and a sportsman who navigates through his relationships and life problems while rediscovering his passion. And he doesn’t go on this journey to rediscover his passion for himself. No, he does it for his son. I love the fact that it comes from a place of pure love.
Another thing to note is that this film is not all about cricket. It creates a perfect balance of emotions, romance, entertainment, drama, family, love and sports. If I were to put it in simple words, Jersey is a sports drama and family drama rolled into one in the most beautiful way possible. It is a larger than life story that has so much to offer us all. This film will make you feel all kinds of emotions. You will laugh, cry, feel angry, frustrated and then there will be nail-biting moments of a classic sports drama.
Also Read: Mrunal Thakur Talks About Her Transition From Television To Films, Reveals Why ‘Jersey’ Didn’t Have An OTT Release
But I will also take a moment to point out the few things that Jersey is lacking, the first one being female representation. Considering what Mrunal Thakur brings to the table as an actor, one would expect her to be playing a meatier role which was missing from the film. There was a lot more that her character could’ve done but oh well. Second thing is that there were some parts of the film that, IMHO, were just unnecessary. It was like forcefully adding drama where it’s not even needed. The third thing is that while this film is a must-watch, it does not have much to offer for those who have already watched the original Telugu film starring Nani. The fourth thing is that. for a sports drama Jersey does not have enough cricket moments.
In conclusion, I will just say that Jersey is a wholesome, hard-hitting sports drama that will tug at your heartstrings. It’s the kind of film that stays with you even after you step out of the theatre. And it’s safe to say that Shahid Kapoor just delivered what might be the best performance of his career and with ease, might I add. Also, the ending WILL have you in tears. So, make sure that you carry your handkerchief or a tissue when you head out to watch this film once it hits the big screen near you on April 22.
PS you may see little glimpses of Kabir Singh in Shahid Kapoor’s character in this film. I’m not going to tell you when, where or what but trust me you’ll know when you know.
