When you watch films week after week, a sense of deja vu creeps in as you watch certain tropes being flogged till you tire of them. We’ve seen a spectrum of sports films — both biopics and fictional dramas — and know that despite bravura performances, many films follow predictable arcs.
In that sense, it’s refreshing to see how writer-director Gowtam Tinnanuri has narrated Jersey . And this is just his second film as director. The idea is simple. We celebrate a star sportsperson who becomes a pin-up idol. For every such player, there could be 99 others who are immensely talented but don’t find their spot in the sun. Our protagonist Arjun (Nani) is among those 99.
From the opening episode, we understand that Arjun has proved himself. There’s a book written on him. But the director subtly hints that Arjun isn’t a regular sports hero.
The narrative shifts between two timelines — Arjun as a 26-year-old in 1986, and a 36-year-old in 1996. In his mid 20s, Arjun is in great form and his arrival on the cricket ground is celebrated. He walks in with flamboyance and his bat does the talking. He’s made it a habit to hit it out of the park. He hopes to play in the Indian XI and looks forward to a life with his sweetheart Sarah (Shraddha Srinath); there’s heady aggression on and off the field.
- Cast: Nani, Shraddha Srinath, Sathyaraj and Ronit Kamra
- Direction: Gowtam Tinnanuri
- Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Arjun in his 30s is in a starkly different scenario. He’s asleep with his son on his chest. His house has seen better days. A few containers placed along the floor collect water from the leaking roof. In the background of another scene is a nameplate from which we know that he was working with Food Corporation of India. Both cricket and his job are figments of the past.
The romance has ebbed too. Sarah shoulders the financial responsibilities and you don’t blame her for being thrifty. The couple’s relationship dynamics plays out from a space of maturity. There’s underlying anger and disappointment but also an understanding of each other’s plight. A lot is communicated through silences. It’s a pleasure to watch Nani and Shraddha Srinath match every step with their consummate performances.
The child actor Ronit Kamra is a delight too. He lights up Arjun’s world and for him, his dad is always a hero. There’s a scene where he smiles with pride after brushing off the compliments when a neighbourhood boy mentions spotting Arjun’s photograph in the newspaper, yet again. The father-son portions have several moments to cherish. If the sport segments that have been shot with professional finesse shine brighter, it’s also because the relationships — father-son, the couple, the mentor (Sathyaraj) and player — are handled well. Sathyaraj is stoic as the coach who believes in Arjun.
In the early portions, we don’t actually see Arjun as a player to reckon with. It’s only when he finds a reason to chase his dream with renewed vigour, that we witness his flair for the sport. Nani pulls off the cricket portions with panache, as much as he ups his acting prowess in the emotional parts. A scene on the railway platform where he gives vent to his feelings, is just one of the many memorable moments in his towering performance.
Able support also comes in from Praveen as the friend, Sampath Raj as the coach, and other younger players. Cinematographer Sanu Varghese and the technical team deserve special mention. Anirudh Ravichander’s background score fits the narrative for a large part, but there are occasional segments where he could have toned it down. It’s a testing moment when Arjun plays his first cricket match in 10 years. Instead of letting the suspense weigh, Anirudh’s score is a give away of what’s to come.
Apart from a few niggles like these, Jersey is endearing. It moves away from the oft-repeated trope of playing to win for the country. It’s a deeply personal journey. Therein lies the difference and its triumph.
