Movie Review 'Sachin! Tendulkar Alla': A Master Stroke

Cast: Suhasini, Mr Snehith, Venkatesh Prasad, Sudha Rani
Music: Rajesh Ramnath
Director: Mohan
Rating: ***1/2

He is Sachin but not 'the' Tendulkar and his sole ambition is to play cricket. Unlike many such movies revolving around under-dog sports achiever, this one is quite emotional as the one who dreams big, suffers from autism and especially the emotional background webbed around an impressive script makes it a worth watch. As the title of Sachin with  tagline Tendulkar Alla, there is no surprise in the subject and it is a simple story about a boy and his love for the sport. Will the autistic boy, who looks normal with perplex behaviour can achieve his dream is the focal point and how his family members react to it is the essence here.

Master Snehith, yet again does a neat job but the veteran actress Suhasini, who portrays the role of a much older looking elder sister steals the show. Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, in the role as a school cricket coach has done his best and others come secondary.

The director Mohan, has chosen a brilliant off beat subject with a strong message to the society and has nearly matched it to the making of a commercial movie. There is no fights, no heroism and mainly no routine commercial elements of a money spinner which may dampen the interest of regular audience who thrive for masala movies but Sachin should be watched for its values and message it tries to reach those for understanding the special children and their needs and why their dreams (small or big) deserve to be fulfilled.

As an elder sister Suhasini, who dedicate her life to fulfill the dreams of Sachin finds her love interest Venkatesh Prasad to fulfil her brother only interest or at least to compete in a cricket tournament. She is not thoroughly supported by her mother or her other sister. More than just fulfilling the dreams, it is the human values which play a vital role and is showcased perfectly without 'boring' the audience.

Suhasini, who is best known for portraying 'emotional' characters with strong zeal for life, leaves the audience in tears and such is the impression of a feel good movie. The movie which has picked up on a right note and is already in news with several film makers thinking of making it in Hindi while planning to cast either Rani Mukherjee or Vidya Balan for Suhasini's role in Sachin. Indeed, a master stroke which deserves some sort of 'record.