| Biography |
Director(s): Amole Gupte
Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Manav Kaul, Eshaan Naqvi
Release date: 26th March, 2021
Running time: 2 hrs. 14 mins.
Saina is a 2021 Indian Hindi-language biographical sports film
SYNOPSIS:
The film follows the career highs and lows of the former world no 1, India’s ace shuttler, Saina Nehwal. It also pays tribute to the people who immensely contribute to her resilience and unbreakable spirit.
STORY:
World champion. Olympic medallist. The doyen of Indian Badminton. Saina Nehwal is all of this and much more. This biopic chronicles the inspiring story of a gifted youngster’s ascendance to the pinnacle of the badminton world through sheer passion and perseverance – a journey that has since inspired and empowered an entire nation.
REVIEW:
An individual sport has a coterie of well-wishers and experts who help rebuild faith when it threatens to slip away. After a near fatal injury, months of being holed up at home and seeing the world pass her by, it is Saina’s mother who tells her, “You are Saina Nehwal. Tu sherni hai. Do not let the world and media make you think otherwise. Self doubt is one’s biggest enemy. Shaq ko apney dil mein ghar na karne dena.” It is the mother, whose fierce ambition to see her daughter become the world no 1, that marks Saina’s beginning. As a resounding ode to a mother who knows how to hustle and is hopelessly optimistic, Saina, works.
Most Indian biographical sports dramas stick to a template in their bid to play safe. What you get is a hagiography that rarely scratches the surface or goes beyond the obvious. Struggles, road to glory, downfall and resurrection — you know the drill. Since sportsmen are revered in the country, not many dare to address the skeletons in the closet. Amole Gupte also keeps his story simple. Saina’s alleged rivalry with PV Sindhu gets no mention. The filmmaker highlights the known ups and downs of Saina’s life, ensuring his storytelling isn’t patronising or over the top patriotic.
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