Rating: 3/5
The number of sports biopics or even films based on sports that are being made in Bollywood has risen drastically in the past decade.
This Independence Day, we have Akshay Kumar's Gold in theatres, a film based on independent India's quest for a hockey gold at The Olympics.
Akshay Kumar plays Tapan Das, a Bengali team manager who is part of the two-time Olympic gold medal-winning British Indian team. His work experience has helped him home his strategy of the game.
When India, rather the British Indian team consisting of Indian and British men goes on to win gold at the Berlin Olympics in 1936, Tapan Babu and his team captain Samrat (Kunal Kapoor) pledge to get a gold for independent India the next time around.
But World War || causes the next two Olympics, 1940 and 1944, to be cancelled. And with it goes Tapan Das' dream of winning the gold for the new India.
Tapan turns a drunkard and faces disciplinary action by the sports body. He moves from hockey to football to wrestling, losing at managing all three.
It is only after the 1948 Olympics are announced two years ahead that Tapan comes to his senses, and musters up the courage to dream about building a new national hockey team.
India gains independence in 1947 and is able to play or represent itself as its own country. But Tapan's struggle has just begun.
Facing internal politics, Partition and its aftermath, and team infighting, Tapan is able to overcome his obstacles. Of course, all this happens with some Lady Luck as well - that of his wife Monobina (Mouni Roy) who gives him the right advice and supports him throughout.
But how does he overcome the hurdles and get the gold for India? That forms the story of the film.
Reema Kagti presents a well made film, but that could've been shorter and crisper in its storytelling. The movie is written by Kagti and Rajesh Devraj.
Beginning with a little bit of jingoism, Gold does manage to have a gripping climax that arouses the patriot in you. It will happen in any sports or battle movie. But if it doesn't happen, it's a problem. Gold is slow and grows on you, providing you the climax you need.
Akshay Kumar is playing yet another real life character or been a part of a real story. He is good as usual, charming, fun and sometimes irritating but determined.
But the actor needs to hone his craft better or else will be stuck as Akshay Kumar on screen and not the characters he plays. He has now become an expert in these roles and probably that's why was chosen to play Tapan Das.
Mouni Roy is apt as the Bengali wife Monobina and is believable in her first Bollywood leading role.
Kunal Kapoor and Amit Sadh are excellent in their roles as Samrat the captain and former player, and Raghubir Pratap Singh the rich class centre forward and vice-captain respectively. These two gentlemen shine in Gold along with Sunny Kaushal, who plays Himmat Singh the rival centre forward of Raghubir.
Vineet Kumar as Imtiaz Shah is seen in a very different role than his previous outings and he excels as the hockey captain who has to flee to Pakistan during Partition.
Nikita Dutta, another television import like Mouni Roy, is pleasant in her role as Himmat aka Sunny Kaushal's love interest.
The actor who plays Tapan Das' arch rival in Wadia's team is perfect for the role.
Coming to the other aspects of the film, the music is forgettable but background music goes with the mood of the film and helps uplift it.
The art design and cinematography of the film beautifully add to the authenticity of Gold.
Verdict: Gold is a good film, but it would've been hailed as great, if we had not seen Lagaan, if we had not seen Chak De! India, and the other sports films that followed, including Dangal and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. It is still a well made film and deserves to be watched for more reasons than just hockey or the love for your country.
