Maidaan

Ajay Devgn scores a tour-de-force performance in Maidaan, the inspiring biographical drama about Syed Abdul Rahim, the unsung hero who defied all odds to revive Indian football in the 1950s and 60s.

As the fiercely determined coach, Devgn is a force of nature, rallying his rag-tag team to overcome lack of funds, facilities and support through sheer willpower. The young actors portraying the players match Devgn's intensity with wonderfully naturalistic acting.

Director Amit Sharma transports viewers to that era through lush period details and deftly balances the personal drama with exhilarating, innovatively-shot match sequences. The climactic 1962 Asian Games final is a genuine goosebump-raising triumph.

But the soul of Maidaan lies in its simplicity and understated tone in depicting Abdul Rahim's against-all-odds journey. In the pantheon of Bollywood sports biopics, it's a winning underdog story that raises a deserving champion. An entertaining, uplifting must-watch!

Outstanding stuff... was eagerly waiting for this.. be it direction, acting, music, screenplay, cinematography ... outstanding in all departments. It starts slow but gradually grows on you.. and reaches the pinnacle by the time it ends. Selection of support cast is faultless. Every player character looks real and a professional footballer.. Gajraj Rao has this uncanny habit of surpassing himself with each outing.. Priyamani has brought her character of wife to life.. finally Ajay Devgan... will be surprised if he misses on national award for this. Rehman is at his best. Music takes this fare to different level.. and Amit R Sharma. Take a bow. Each scene is so well crafted, it looks like poetry in motion. Expectations set with Badhai Ho have been surpassed... go watch it.

It is really a must watch movie.... Ek ek scene aap ko bandh k rkhega.. I wonder how some people call these kind of historic movies as boring and deny watching them by compare these movies with romantic films... There's no competition for this man....

Firstly toh get to know about history and it inspires you to do more research on our historic moments

Secondly the way this movie was presented, no one could feel bored, every scene brings in a new hope and happiness by watching our heroes succeeding towards victory...

Ajay Devgan Sir and the whole cast played an excellent role in making this film a blockbuster.

How SA Rahim's family and Anjan Da supported him... The team proved themselves as a true follower of their guru... Every single emotion was clearly reflected by the actors...

Bs emotional kr diya Ajay Devgan ki movie ho aur maza naa aaye aisa kbhi hua h kya... Awaiting for your next film Sir :)

I would personally suggest everyone to go watch this film.

Besides 2 unnecessary songs the USP of this excellent movie was its almost flawless editing. Although the movie was 3hrs 1 minute long,i never never felt bored(except for the 2 unwanted songs)as it was always very interesting and captivating throughout. Although his role was not a challenging one at all,Ajay Devgn is always extremely convincing in these types of roles unlike comic roles where he's a total failure. Gajraj Rao's average acting was overshadowed by his ridiculous hairpiece which made him look like an absolute clown. The rest of the junior cast were average while all of the footballers were very convincing in playing their parts This true story was very well scripted and the screenplay and direction were absolutely brilliant 9/10.

I saw this last nite with my wife in Gaiety theatre Bandra n I loved the movie.

There are no surprises here, what with it being based on a true story, but even if you're unfamiliar with what really happened, as I was, then u will be rejoiced to learn some astonishing facts about our football team under the guidance of Mr Abdul Rahim.

Thankfully, Maidaan never takes its pedigree for granted, and delivers the goods largely by focusing on the roots of the victory instead of the cheap emotional payoff that other sports films are so obsessed with.

Maidaan plays as a stellar reenactment of our amazing victory and it's elevated considerably by the always fantastic Devgn who got into the role of that of Abdul Rahim, the coach known as the architect of modern Indian football.

Abdul Rahim is considered to be the greatest coach India has ever produced.

His tenure is considered as a "Golden age" of Indian football.