Review: 83

Credits: Reliance Entertainment

“We here to win. What else we here for?” quips Kapil Dev, not once but twice, when asked about their chances of lifting the Prudential Cup in the summer of 1983. The skipper was leading an ambitious but not so hopeful group of Devils on an unimaginable quest in the land of former colonizers.

They were underestimated, discriminated against and sometimes even ridiculed. The commentators and support staff were constantly reminded they are not worth a place in the tournament. But these men dared to dream and went over and above their 'aukaad' to achieve what became a watershed moment in Indian sports. Kabir Khan and team take this captivating premise to deliver an emotional and engaging sports drama in 83.

83 chronicles the journey of the team from the period between March 1,1983 and June 25, 1983. Through the journey, we see glimpses of the improbability of the task at hand. These are ordinary men who are unable to find vegetarian food in a foreign land, have to manage laundry themselves because of low stipend and go through tickets and bookings conundrum due to low expectations. 

The storytelling is simple and stays rooted in reality. Be it the Wisden editor David Frith (literally) eating his words after India's victory or Madan Lal getting Viv Richards out in the final after pleading to Kapil Dev to give him another over. The screenplay attempts to stay true to the original story and doesn't indulge in fictionalizing the already iconic moments which are etched in public memory. A special mention for Julias Packiam's background music which doesn't let the energy subside throughout the movie.

The film shines in its portrayal of cricket. Each player of the team contributed at different stages of the tournament, which gets due prominence. The pulsating contests with the opposing teams, particularly the fearful West Indies team of that era, take you back in time and immerse you in the experience. It was exhilarating to witness Kapil’s 175 against Zimbabwe on the big screen, of which there is no televised recording. How many of you knew that Kapil used a Mongoose bat in that iconic innings?

Kabir Khan and team gives us a parallel narrative too, signifying the importance of the feat for the Indian conscience and heighten the emotions of the audience. We see the Indian fans standing up to English supporters outside the stadium after India defeated England in the semi-finals. And cricket being used to promote communal harmony back home. This might come as a tad overdramatic but the shift in attitude of the world from having no expectations from the team to rooting for them to get the cup drives the narrative effortlessly.

The performances are top-notch and elevate the screenplay superlatively. The mannerisms, character traits and cricket personalities are depicted so sincerely and honestly that we forget these are not real. Not only do all the actors on the screen get ample opportunity to shine, but the real players are also strategically introduced at regular intervals during the film - a tough job done right by the filmmakers.

I would have liked to know more about the selection process, team dynamics and the preparation process. But 83 succeeds in telling the story that it sets out to tell, with ample drama and emotions. The final at the Lord’s is the show stealer. We feel the tension, emotion and excitement. The theatre buzzed with claps and whistles when the umpire lifted his finger to declare the final West Indies wicket out. The scenes that followed can only be felt and experienced. All in all, 83 makes for a spiritual and spellbinding experience.

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