'MS Dhoni: The Untold Story': Just for MSD fans, not cricket lovers

The Indian team celebrate after winning the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai Picgetty imagesMahendra Singh Dhoni became a household name ever since India were crowned world champions in South Africa on his captaincy debut in 2007 Besides the Ranchi luminaryrsquos achievements that embellish his cricketing resume Dhoni also had his fair share of controversy with some critics questioning the way he handled senior players in his quest to shape a team with younger legsMS Dhoni The Untold Story which hit screens yesterday sadly had nothing that was untold with the makers straying light years away from controversy The film begins with Dhoni played by Sushant Singh Rajput in the dressing room watching India in a tight spot during the 2011 World Cup final chasing 275 runs against Sri LankaAfter Virat Kohlirsquos dismissal Dhoni is seen telling coach Gary Kirsten not shown in the frame that hersquos promoting himself up the order ahead of Yuvraj SinghArray of cinematic effectsWhat follows is an array of cinematic effects and Sushantrsquos impeccable acting skills where you can actually see shades of Dhoni at Wankhede StadiumThe film then abruptly flashes back to 1981 in a Ranchi hospital where Dhonirsquos father Pan Singh played by Anupam Kher is waiting for the birth of his childWhat grips the viewer in this flick is the first half which shows Dhonirsquos struggle mdash from a ticket collector to a trophy keeper While the makers have done well to trace minute details in his life especially when he was a TC at Kharagpur station the sporting action is superficial It is understandable that being a biopic there will be a certain level of glorification but cricket is a team sport and one expected to see dressing room scenes playerbanter team talks all of which were given a missDhonirsquos rise to the captaincy was also surprisingly left out However in some parts the makers have done a fairly good job when they explained how Dhoni mastered the helicopter shot Another welcome cricketing moment is where Yuvraj slams a triple ton 358 for a winning cause against Bihar in the 1999 Cooch Behar Trophy According to Dhoni Bihar lost because his teammates were overpowered by Yuvrajrsquos reputationThe second half doesnrsquot appeal much and the film loses its narrative and with it a bit of sheen In fact therersquos hardly any sporting action and Dhonirsquos biopic now turns into a quintessential BTown love storyOverstretched movieTwo romantic stories in the second half with more songs than a BeeGees concert stretch this film to over three hours Interspersed in all of this are scenes of team selection prior to the 200708 CB series in Australia where Dhoni wanted a senior player to be droppedBut the portion where a selector reveals the name of the unwanted player has been mutedALSO READMS Dhoni The Untold Story Movie ReviewThe film ends at the 2011 World Cup final where Dhoni smashes that famous six into the crowds to give India its second World Cup title Ravi Shastrirsquos commentary echoes in the hall almost giving you goose bumpsDhoni is at the centre of all this almost coming across as though he single handedly powered India to victory Five minutes each at the start and the end are the ones which will stick in memoryIf you are looking for a sporting insight into Dhonirsquos career you might be a bit disappointed However if you are a Dhoni fan this onersquos for you