There have been many brilliant directors and great men who have written amazing screenplays. But then nothing is perfect. Out of the target audience, some agree, some don’t. What if you could write a script that was so perfect that you probably had to pinch yourself to believe that it isn’t a dream. And that’s what the 2011 Cricket World Cup was. A dream, a belief that turned to reality.
I am not an atheist, but I do have my reservations about the concept of god. I believe in fate and that things happen for a reason. We do write our own destiny, but then the skeleton of that story is broadly written. And yesterday, it seemed as if FATE was definitely at play. God, the unseen omnipotent, omnipresent entity was at work and he/she might have been very happy with the outcome. Maybe he/she might think that he/she had outdone himself/herself yesterday! And it was worthy of every prize in the history of films.
It all started on Feb 19th – my birthday and I would say, that was the most auspicious start – it was fate! Each and everyone of us played a part in this perfection. So if you were not in Wankhede yesterday, believe me that it was meant to be. If you were not watching – it was meant to be. If you were praying –it was meant to be. If you were not moving from your seat – it was meant to be. If you kept having the same drink to keep up the luck – it was meant to be! Whatever you might be doing, wherever, if you had not done that, the climax may have been different. The perfect script had something planned for you, and that’s what you did.
Think about it. What an amazing story! A great man was about to play his final cup. He had every record in the book, yet had his dream unfulfilled. His team mates swore to do it for him. 1.2 Billion people wanted them to do it for him. We had other opportunities, he didn’t. And they did it. They did it, in front of his home crowd and gave him the perfect farewell from World Cup cricket. If that’s not a perfect script, what is?
But the screenplay was twisted. Even though the climax was obvious to everyone, the scenes were woven with an intent to thread in the doubts. The film started with a bang, with the protagonists showing their might (Bangladesh) – It was all feel good. Then, a hiccup and doubts started creeping in (England) – A little bit of Drama. The next 2 scene were the most difficult to take. The protagonists were injured and even weaker opposition stretched them – Some more Drama. And then came a vital blow. They were defeated(South Africa) and everyone was stunned - Interval.
Some films lose steam after the interval, but the perfect script just built steam from here on. The next scene was of dogged determination. The wounded protagonists decided to fight back. They scrapped their way through the first opposition(West Indies), then they raged into a battle with the mightiest villains(Australia) and defeated them, followed by a high Drama encounter with their nemesis (Pakistan) and finally, as the background score reached a crescendo, they countered the omens in their own minds to win the War – A thrilling Climax. The climax, predictable as it may be, was the perfect one. And the tears of joy flowed.
And what brilliant characterization and acting! The protagonists were meant to win, yet they had a weakness that oppositions could take advantage of. They were mere mortals, who were driven by Belief to overcome their weakness and win against all odds. HERO No 1, a master of his art, his only dream unfulfilled, came up with an inspirational performance. HERO No 2, the spear head of the attack, leading his force with aplomb. HERO No 3, the bad boy, turning good and delivering the goods – Khota Sikka bann gaya SONA!!! HERO No 4, the man with the Midas touch, who shows his class in the final Act. But overall, it was truly the great work of an Ensemble cast, full of world beaters!
Has there been a better script? No. Has there been better execution? No. Have there been better protagonists? No. This is perfection personified.
To give you a final proof that there was a supernatural involvement, I would like to point out what surely cannot be a coincidence. Who were the 2 protagonists who played the biggest role in the climax? Dhoni and Gambhir. And which two teams start off the IPL? Chennai (Dhoni) vs Kolkatta (Gambhir) !!! Anyone has doubts now? Ready for the sequel to begin???? Will it be this good? Ofcourse not. The Original is always better!!!
Rating : 10*** / 10