• So even though your head knows this is far from a no-holds-barred, warts-and-all biopic, your heart is happy to settle. Much of the credit for that must go to the finely executed cricket scenes, and to the film’s terrific ensemble of actors led by Sushant Singh Rajput who does some of his best work here.

  • Shubhra Gupta
    Shubhra Gupta
    Indian Express

    4

    Despite Sushant Singh Rajput and rest of the cast’s efforts, the film fails because it is not Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s biography, it is his hagiography.

  • Raja Sen
    Raja Sen
    Rediff

    7

    The film doesn’t challenge our perception as much as amiably pat it into place, yet — thanks largely to a remarkably committed performance by the leading man — the film scores like a champ.

  • The film is a must watch for every cricket lover because it aptly tells the tale of an extraordinary man. The struggles are real and so is Sushant’s acting. There isn’t any shocking revelation, just inspiration and determination of a born talent who along with right people by his side, became the legendary captain.

  • Rohit Vats
    Rohit Vats
    Hindustan Times

    6

    Our heroes are generally virtuous, but a biopic also needs objectivity. The director has silver-wrapped the facts that are mostly known.
    But, you have to give to Pandey to keep it intriguing enough for you to get hooked throughout the three hours. Unquestionably entertaining. Also, it’s the role of a lifetime for Sushant, and he has aced it.

  • Mehul S Thakkar
    Mehul S Thakkar
    Deccan Chronicle

    7

    The movie ends on a high with Dhoni’s six at Wankhede stadium and it does give you goosebumps. Tight screenplay and good performances makes this one a good watch.

  • The film plays out less like an engaging life story than an in-your-face big-screen advertorial.

    Only the very gullible or the very generous would be inclined to take M S Dhoni – The Untold Story as anything more than an image management company’s attempt to bolster and extend the power of a lucrative brand that is nearing the end of its currency.

  • Renuka Vyavahare
    Renuka Vyavahare
    Times Of India

    7

    As a full-fledged biopic, this one-dimensional approach towards the lead character leaves you a tad discontented. But since you see the film through Dhoni’s eyes, it’s justified as one rarely sees faults in oneself.

    Nonetheless, this cricket movie hits sufficient sixes making the ‘Dhoni Dhoni’ chants reverberate in the theatre.

  • For a film that starts off so well, “M S Dhoni: The Untold Story” is unable to achieve what its subject has made an art out of – finishing off in style.

  • Sarita Tanwar
    Sarita Tanwar
    DNA India

    8

    Watch it if you love cricket. Watch it if you love movies. MS Dhoni: The Untold Story leaves you with a high that only a winning match can give you.

  • Dhoni’s biopic is an exercise in eulogising the cricketer, telling people how great this man is. Over a span of more than three hours, the greatness of Dhoni plays in front of you.

  • M.S.Dhoni -The Untold Story is certainly a must-watch if you’re a fan of Indian cricket. Get to know the man behind the composed, confident, match-finisher of Indian cricket team.

  • …hits it out of the park with a huge six on the account of its engaging narrative and a brilliant screenplay. In a nation where Bollywood and cricket are considered as religion, the amalgamation of both will work wonders at the Box-Office, setting new records. Don’t miss it for anything in the world. O-U-T-S-T-A-N-D-I-N-G.

  • There are most definitely some moments that will give you goose bumps and the Dhoni’s frustration often tugs at your heartstrings. But this story – the tale of one of India’s favourite sons – could have been much more.

  • Rachit Gupta
    Rachit Gupta
    Filmfare

    6

    …is a long film but it does well to both entertain and engage its audience despite its length. While it may not draw on major insights into Dhoni’s cricketing career, it does make for a compelling story through his personal life. If you ever wanted to get up close and personal with MS Dhoni the person, this is the film to watch. Its a solid biopic, one that makes a true hero out of its subject.

  • Vishal Verma
    Vishal Verma
    Glamsham

    6

    It is not a bad movie by all means but it’s a miss opportunity to score a significant mark in the world of Indian biopic on screen, looking at the caliber of Pandey as a film maker and potential of MS Dhoni as an inspirational sports phenomenon.

    Watch it for the love of the game if nothing else.

  • They narrate the classic underdog script of how passion and ‘zid’ (or perseverance) can take you places. But, that’s not all.

  • Overall though, the screenplay lacks insights and depth. MS Dhoni: The Untold Story starts off well but does not seem to know where to go from there.
    If Neeraj Pandey needed to be this careful, perhaps he should have manufactured an antiseptic bottle instead of making a film.

  • Komal Nahta
    Komal Nahta
    Komal Nahta's Blog

    -

    …a sureshot hit at the box-office. It will fly high and fast – much like the ball flies when M.S. Dhoni hits it for a six on the cricket field. Not just in the first week, the film’s collections in the second week will also be outstanding.

  • Manisha Lakhe
    Manisha Lakhe
    NowRunning

    5

    Neeraj Pandey proves that he is a Dhoni fanboy. The movie starts out awesomely well, telling us details about Mahi’s early life we eagerly lap up. But we want to know about his growth from getting selected in the team to becoming a captain. We get Bollywood style romance instead and then we begin to look at the time: 190 minutes. Cricket wins, but…

  • In the end, we can only say this ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’ is a masterstroke by Sushant Singh Rajput that is a treat for all the cricket and Bollywood lovers. It is a family entertainer and we expect it to work wonders at the Box Office.

  • Criselle Lobo
    Criselle Lobo
    BookMyShow

    -

    It doesn’t matter if you follow cricket or not as Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s journey is inspiring, to say the least. The man comes from a humble background and defied all odds to etch his name in the history of Indian cricket. You’ll also get to relive the two World Cup wins under Dhoni’s captaincy- those moments will definitely make you chant ‘India, India’ once again. And you won’t be alone!

  • Sreeju Sudhakaran
    Sreeju Sudhakaran
    Bollywood Life

    7

    The film ends with 2011 World Cup final match, where Dhoni hits that brilliant six to seal the deal. If you loved that moment and the man who made that moment real, then MS Dhoni: The Untold Story should be your weekend watch. Also the fact that it is Sushant Singh Rajput‘s best film to date.

  • Uday Bhatia
    Uday Bhatia
    LiveMint

    -

    M.S. Dhoni is a blandly professional piece of work. This might be enough for fans of the man, but for anyone who’d hoped that the first ever film about a still-active Indian cricketer might have traces of insight or daring, this will likely be a disappointment.

  • IANS
    IANS
    Sify

    6

    The film is not as exciting as a one-day cricket match. Instead, it is like a Test Series that definitely touches the right nerve.

  • You know how this specific biopic is going to begin. In fact, you want it to begin and end so, and no other way. And yet you have goosebumps when you watch it. That is the power of your fandom and your love for the game. The makers would have to really mess it up to take that away from you. They don’t.

  • Kunal Guha
    Kunal Guha
    Mumbai Mirror

    6

    While this would qualify as an average watch, in a cricket-crazed nation like ours, this hagiographic tribute serves as the highlights of an iconic match — packed with best shots, wickets and commentary to match.

  • Namrata Joshi
    Namrata Joshi
    The Hindu

    -

    The film catches the game at the grassroots—but instead of the usual portrayal of bureaucratic stranglehold what you see is an unquestioning commitment and passion for the game in the many officials. In a way, the film then becomes a piece of nostalgia, harking back to the innocent days of cricket.

  • While this may not be Pandey’s best Bollywood innings, it’s definitely watchable.

  • This biopic is far from inspirational. Nevertheless, it reveals the trials and tribulations of the unassuming Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni who rose meteorically, only on the basis of his merit.

  • Apart from the filmmaker, Sushant Singh Rajput deserves applause for acing the body language of Mahi. He sinks deep into the character and barely resorts to employing props (and sappy sentimentality) to make his portrayal of Dhoni totally believable!

  • It’s a different experience to watch the struggles and lesser-known truths about Dhoni’s life. This movie is one of a kind and it’s an instant ‘Yes’ from our side!

  • MS Dhoni is yet another safe, simple, decently directed, decently enacted, never-ending ode to Dhoni without any crisis to deal with. Watch it only if you are a Mahi fan.

  • It is a tad disappointing that the well-orchestrated film isn’t as well-nuanced. Resting solely on the acting prowess of the lead man and the charisma of the subject isn’t enough in a good film. This one had potential but the screenplay doesn’t justify it. Here’s on of those films that will get registers ringing, families will flock to the theaters, make it to DVD shelves but fails to be pathbreaking cinema. The subject deserved better, Dhoni deserved better but in a country, where offence is our favourite tool, it is best to play safe. So what if it’s not the explosive style he is known for.

  • The movie is less a study of psyche than of personality. But within its hagiographic constraints, Pandey and lead actor Sushant Singh Rajput assert themselves admirably.

  • Prithviraj Dev
    Prithviraj Dev
    TheStatesman

    5

    It’s a pity, for this is a story of a man who enjoyed unprecedented success despite having the odds stacked against him every step of the way. What could have been a novel way to bring the discussion of sports as a sustainable profession in every household is unlike its titular character in real life, unremarkable.