Maidaan: A reminiscence of the golden era of Indian football
Maidaan, which premiered on April 11, portrays the life of Syed Abdul Rahim, hailed as one of India’s most accomplished football coaches. Born in Hyderabad on August 17, 1909, Rahim garnered widespread admiration for his tactical prowess and unparalleled skill in football, earning him the role of the Indian National Football Team’s coach from 1950–1963. As the name suggests, Syed Abdul Rahim was Muslim by default, a brave choice in current India.
Portrayed by Ajay Devgun in the film, Rahim’s story intertwines with India’s quest for a distinct identity separate from its colonisers, driving the cinematic storyline. Rahim’s fervent passion for football allured him from Hyderabad to Kolkata, with the dream of making the Indian National Football Team on par with the rest of the world.
Despite being repetitive and lengthy at times, the film visualizes with ease an era of inadequacy marked by the stark absence of essential equipment and protective gear for the team players who take part in the Asian games barefooted.
The historical realism depicted in the film may appear improbable to many, but it reflects the harsh realities of India at the time. Amidst a backdrop where local football mentors couldn’t foresee India’s triumph on a significant championship stage, one individual rose to the occasion.
One of the most significant dialogues delivered by Ajay Devgun is, “We aren’t the largest country, nor the richest. Football can create our identity because the whole world plays football. So, India needs to focus on making a world-class team for the next 10 years,” perfectly establishing the core message of the film.
The sports bio-pic puts us in Syed Abdul Rahim’s shoes, who recognise the nascent state of the nation and still embraced the challenge with unwavering determination. His transformative impact on Indian football captures the very essence of Indian teams’ determination, facing pro teams of the time in South Korea and Indonesia.
Rahim’s vision, coupled with his tactical acumen, not only elevated the sport but also instilled a newfound sense of belief and pride in the hearts of Indian players, enabling them to achieve positions that previously remained untouched by India. Through the struggles, heartbreaks, and heart-warming wins, Ajay Devgun’s portrayal of Rahim comes across as a stark reminder of the forgotten chapters of India and football. Of a time when “Indian” above all was the common identity of 90’s Hindustan.
Maidaan: Cast and Producers
Co-written and directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, “Maidaan” reminds the audience that we live in the same India that once played against international football giants of the time, barefooted, and won. Despite India’s fervent passion for cricket, this new sports drama tells the story of India’s football passion from the times when India sought to make global acclaim through football.
Produced by Akash Chawla, Boney Kapoor, Arunava Joy Sengupta, and Zee Studios, “Maidaan” is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat, as per audience reviews. The other important cast members include South Indian actress Priyamani as Rahim’s wife (Saira Rahim), Gajraj Rao as Roy Chaudhary, the unscrupulous sports journalist, and Rudranil Ghosh as Subhankar (Rahim’s’ archenemy and a member of the Football Federation of India).
Many other familiar and new faces outline the cast of the movie, but they do their due justice by portraying legendary footballers like PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami, Tulsidas Balaram, and many more.
The film also contains five title tracks, sung by musical legends Javed Ali, A.R. Rahman, and others, that will evoke feelings of nostalgia and national pride for every viewer who comes across them. With an audience rating of 4/5, it can be said for certain that Ajay Devgun does a marvellous job of depicting the life of India’s most successful domestic football coach, Rahim Saab.
Maidaan: Day 3 Box Office Collection
Released on the auspicious day of Eid 2024, “Maidaan” has been running in cinemas for over three days now, collecting over Rs. 15.56 crore total in three days at the Box Office, according to Sacnilk.com.
On its first day, the film had barely minted Rs. 4.5 crore, suggesting a lack of interest from domestic audiences despite good preliminary audience reviews.
On day two, the amount underwent a -33.33% decrease, earning Rs. 3 crores from domestic audiences. Day three box office collection of “Maidaan” stands at approximately Rs. 5.46 crore.
“Maidaan” received strong opposition from “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, due to being released on the same date.
It should be noted that India does have a generic leaning towards action-drama movies; however, cinema experts and industry analysts are hopeful that “Maidaan” will be able to garner a stronger fan base in the coming days, turning around the initial low box office collection.
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