83 Trailer Review: This Film On World Cup Win Seems To Be More About Kapil Dev

83 trailer review: The trailer for Kabir Khan's upcoming film 83, was released on November 30. Based on India's historic world cup win in 1983, the film features Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev and Deepika Padukone as Romi Dev. With its trailer coming just weeks after India's demoralising loss at the ICC T20 World Cup and the ensuing trolling of the Indian cricket team, 83 tailer makes one wonder- was this point when cricket became an obsession for us as a nation?

83 will be the second sports drama, that too on cricket, to release in the month of December. The other being Shahid Kapoor's Jersey. While one is a fictional adaptation of a real event, the other is a remake of a popular Telugu film from 2019 by the same name. The two films however have one thing in common, if one goes by the trailer, they both tell tales about underdogs who conquer all odds.

About 83

The film also features Pankaj Tripathi, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Jiiva, Ammy Virk, Harrdy Sandhu and Saqib Salim, along with Neena Gupta and Boman Irani. Composer Pritam has given music for the film while Kausar Munir, Jaideep Saini and Prashant Ingole have been credited for its lyrics. Actor Deepika Padukone has also co-produced the film, so has Khan. 83 is slated for a Christmas release on December 24.

83 Trailer Review: Feels Like A Biopic

With its powerful lead couple given ample footage, one has to remind themselves constantly that 83 is not a Kapil Dev biopic- it is the story of India's first World Cup lift. Other members of the 1983 cricket team feel like peripheral characters written as plot points or roped in for comic relief. It is Ranveer Singh as Dev who does most of the talking- be it in press interviews or making inspiring statements to motivate his team a la Chak De!

83 seems like your run-of-the-mill sports film which offers a mix of madness for sports, patriotism and a story about a bunch of nobodies creating history. Although we aren't complaining, our brains and hearts could use a smart, fast-paced sports film that is tailor-made for the masses.

However, the film's trailer also makes one look back at the cricket fandom in India. In one scene the team is shamed by a fan who wants them to win at least one match, while the next visual is that of a scuffle breaking out between viewers at a stadium. The aggression among fans for cricket seems to have gotten only worse, as seen in recent times. One bad tournament, one high profile loss and all hell break loose.

One wonders if the 1983 World Cup win was the trigger for it all? Have we gotten so used to a high performing team that we are unwilling to cut them any slack?

Here's hoping that 83 helps us relive the early glory days of Indian cricket, but also teaches fans to support their team through thick and thin.

Check out the trailer of 83 here:

Image Credit: YouTube screenshot.

Views expressed are the author's own.

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