If you are looking for an unusual story of an unsung hero, go and watch Soorma. Promise, it’s not a glorification of an Indian sportsman on silver screen.

Diljit Dosanjh’s striking self-possession, like the champion he’s portraying, doesn’t let it come in the way of a performance that screams g-o-a-l.

…if you want to know when, why, how and what happened to Sandeep Singh, Soorma is the name of the game. It is a story told with its heart in the right place, and on that count it scores. Only that, it shows you the reality, minus the melodrama.

The flaws notwithstanding, I would recommend ‘Soorma’. This is an inspiring story that needed to be told and needs to be watched. The movie may lack the sheen of some recent biopics, but I’d still say you go and watch it. Indian hockey, which probably deserves much more, deserves nothing less.

With Soorma, Shaad Ali confidently gets to the centre, keeps his impulses under check, and plays it totally narrow, and fully straight. And, yes, he hits home, alright. This is possibly his best work yet

Soorma just makes you happy for the unsung heroes whom cinema has the power and reach to put on a pedestal.

Soorma applauds a deserving figure who has received national honours but sadly, hasn’t been celebrated with the same fervour. A worthy hat-tip!

Soorma is an entertaining film but one that’s far from satisfying. The single best thing about Soorma is Angad Bedi. He delivers an earnest performance that may prove to be a career defining one as well just like Udta Punjab had proven for Dosanjh. Another performance to watch out for comes from Vijay Raaz who plays Indian Hockey Team’s Bihari coach. His one-liners are so brilliant that one just can’t help but applaud his delivery and timing. Then of course there is the legendary Kulbhushan Kharbanda who is always a treat to watch. Soorma proves to be a decent watch but it could easily have been much much better.

Soorma isn’t without flaws. It gets manipulative in places. The happy banter before the gunshot scene is written to establish Sandeep as a happy-go-lucky character and ooze out more sympathy for him. The song montages against a gruelling training session is also not too original. Hindi films will have to come up with better narratives to depict grit and determination in our sports heroes!
Shad Ali finally redeems himself after the disastrous Kill (Me Gently) Dill by bringing Sandeep Singh on celluloid and sharing his inspiring story. Watch it over the weekend.