Star Cast: Sanjay Suri, Milind Soman, Sandhya Mridul, Sachin Khedekar, Manoj Pahwa, Vinay Pathak, Shraddha Nigam
Directed by: Subhash Kapoor
Produced by: Subhash Kapoor, Harish Amin, Rakesh Andania, Guneer M
Music by: Gaurav Dayal
Cinematographer: Fasahat Khan
Say Salaam India is a film about the game of cricket. Movies based on concepts has become the order of the day and this time director Subhash Kapoor comes out with ‘Say Salaam India’ which deploys the game of cricket as its main plot. Though the film doesn’t boast of a healthy star cast yet it manages to be stand with pride. A well made film in the end. The film draws its inspiration from Lagaan, Iqbal and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.
It’s a film about overcoming all odds and about realizing one’s dreams. It’s also about sportsmanship and about playing sport for the right reasons. . Say Salaam India is a film which manages to hold on the audience with its aspiring performances and inspiring storyline.
The story of Say Salaam India revolves around a bunch of 4 boys who come from a humble background and don’t have riches to their disposal. Viru, Mahi, Shakeel and Guri are completely passionate towards the game — passion to excel, passion to prove a point and passion to do everything that it takes to bring them closer to their goal - CRICKET!
They are pursuing their education in the local corporation school where the favorite sport is wrestling, all thanks to the sports teacher Surinder Huda who believes that cricket is responsible for destroying traditional sports like hockey, kushti and kabaddi which were popular for ages.
Eventually the boys fight with the odds and they move on further to an elite school Royal Heritage in the state capital. Royal Heritage - A school that did have children with talent but then they lacked something that makes great sport stars - PASSION!
Hari Sadu is the coach of the Royal Heritage team who are on their way to win their sixth state championship, but he faces a stiff opposition to his coaching methods by the headstrong, arrogant members of the school team, who are more allured towards the brands that the cricketers endorse rather than the game. His stint with the team began soon but due to his unique thinking and coaching methods, he was opposed by the young cricketers. Finally he is out of the team as a coach. Time for revenge!!
Hari Sadu gets determined to make a local team to take on the cudgel at the inter school challenge. He is helped in this pursuit by his wife Sonali and his cerebral palsy suffering son Rustam. Predicatably, he prepares his 11 men to take on the Royal Heritage School at a championship.
Debuntante director Subhash Kapoor has done a fine job in crafting good performances from his crew. As this is his first attempt towards direction, there is a huge for the director to improve his control over the story as it tends to slip in the second half. The movie also stagnates in the second hour with a few repetitive and unwanted scenes. The Sanjay Suri-Sandhya Mridul track, for instance, stands out like a sore thumb.
Editing has been done sharply leaving no loose ends. The cinematography and music too add to the viewing of the film. Sanjay Suri, gives another applauding performance of his career. Model turned actor Milind Soman also gives in a remarkable performance. Sandhya Mridul is ignorable in this one. The new bunch of kids too manages to make a mark.
Overall, if you have come out of the losses that the Indian team has suffered in the world cup then definitely go for the movie as you will enjoy the emotions that are nothing less than that in a live cricket match…
Rating: 5/10
Hanumant Bhansali