Sanchita
Real, raw and hard-hitting… Nagraj Manjule’s Hindi directorial debut has scored quite some goals!
Read Jhund Movie Review –
Director: Nagraj Manjule
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Ankush Gedam, Somnath Awghade, Akash Thosar, Rinku Rajguru
Runtime: Almost 3 Hours
Rating: 3.5/ 5
Storyline:
For the unversed, Jhund is based on the true story of Vijay Barse; a retired sports teacher-cum-social worker from Nagpur who established Slum Soccer to empower underprivileged children.
Big B plays the titular role of the soccer coach Vijay Borade. We can spot some other familiar faces from Nagraj’s past works like the Sairat couple Akash Thosar-Rinku Rajguru and Fandry fame Somnath Awghade.
It’s the classic underdog sports story, but executed in a fresh andaaz! Here we have a troubled bunch of misfits; underage kids dealing in alcohol, addicted to ganja and huffing paint while others resort to stealing and violence to survive.
They are sadly a product of their circumstance…but their bleak existence gets a beacon of hope when coach Vijay notices their talent! From overcoming their personal demons to tackling the hurdles of denied resources/opportunity… watch as Nagraj Manjule’s ragtag soccer gang becomes a ‘TEAM’ from a ‘Jhund’!
What Do We Think:
Though Nagraj has kept stuff kaafi real and honest, his Bollywood debut directorial is still quite ‘sanitized’ unlike his heartwrenching Marathi films.
Fortunately, Amitabh ji’s act hasn’t overwhelmed the kids’ performances; the baccha gang holds their own in the presence of the superstar. They are the heart of this film – frank, genuine and refreshing.
Jhund has a variety of fun, eclectic characters but the struggles of only a few get truly etched out. Ankush Gedam (playing the role of Don) is the ‘diamond in the rough’ here and his earnest performance will make you root for him. Overall a delightful, immersive watch with a heartwarming end. Our only gripe is the film’s length – touching almost 3 hours… which could’ve been more crisply edited.
Hit Or Miss:
Don’t miss out on Nagraj Manjule’s Hindi debut! Though Big B maybe the draw from the poster, these inspiring kids will be the ones to steal your hearts!
