Sachin: A Billion Dreams

“SACHIN: A Billion Dreams” is an overwhelming experience!

Sated with fond memories of the times we’ve seen and some endearing new insights, this self-narrated docudrama, of unarguably the biggest sporting icon India has ever seen, is a riveting journey worth reliving. Driven by its high emotional quotient, “SACHIN: A Billion Dreams” engulfs you as a fan, motivates you as a viewer and makes you fall in love with Sachin… all over again!

"Sachin: A Billion Dreams" is an Indian biographical film based on the life of Indian cricket icon and living legend Sachin Tendulkar. A tale of a restless 10-year-old boy and his journey from watching the Indian Cricket Team lift its first World Cup trophy in 1983, to the fulfilment of his dream of holding it in his own hands for India. Sachin is the most celebrated sportsperson in India, a virtuous hero who created an era, which Indians are proud of. The film captures Tendulkar's dedication to cricket and with him appearing in the movie, the Master Blaster himself reveals certain aspects of his life that were never heard of before.

At the outset, let me confess that I’m one of those millions of rock-ribbed Sachin fans, who admire each chapter of this legend. So my experience while watching this film can hardly be expressed in words. There were dozens of moments that gave me goose-bumps, several scenes gave me a lump in my throat and the climax had me misty-eyed. As a fan, your hunger for watching Tendulkar bat, can finally be satiated after watching this documentary. But don’t’ let the words “Documentary” or “Fan” get in your way of watching this film. Believe you me, this film is as engaging as the most loved commercial film you’ve ever seen, and even for non-cricket-fans, this film serves just the right amount of motive for not missing it.

The narrative is taut, absorbing and always relevant. No signs of overindulgence here, despite the presence of a cricketer who was perhaps most romanticised by the sport itself. This documentary doesn’t involve itself into needless journalistic propaganda and while being insightful, it is thoroughly entertaining. There are some unseen footages of the master himself, with family and friends, which are just appropriately placed for an engrossing viewing experience. Director/Writer James Erskine encapsulates the journey in the deftest manner. Never straying from the path, his screenplay follows the sequence with just the right amount of detailing and emotion.

But going strictly by the text book of reviewing a film, “SACHIN: A Billion Dreams” has its share of flaws. It glorifies all the achievements of the legend, but never really points fingers at him for the allegations we know. Diplomacy is very well extant at its core. Even in his failures, the documentary projects Sachin as a hero, which is basically aimed at being politically correct. While this film does lack on a few counts, it more than makes up for it by the sheer bigness of the source content. Historians like Boria Majumdar, elite cricket experts and a fine team of other related individuals is brought together to narrate this larger than life biography/autobiography. Even the background score by another master, A.R. Rahman, is excellent.

Sachin’s presence as the prime narrator, is exciting. His appearance makes it all the more fascinating. You can feel the pulse of the cheering audience when his moments unfold on-screen. His aura is exceptional and his genuine humility is exemplary. Cricket may see players in future who break his records, but I’m sure none would match his moral values that make him the ideal Hero a nation can look up to. Even the love track with Anjali is beautifully presented and his relationship with his family and friends makes you want for more.

There are paras and paras to write for this one, but I will have to end my review somewhere. “SACHIN: A Billion Dreams” is all about moments. And the film captures them just on the right note. When the crowd on screen chants SACHIN..SACHIN….., you’re sure to hear it harmonize with the theatre audience as well. And like they say, while Dhoni and Virat are stars, SACHIN IS AN EMOTION. So don’t dare to miss this one, and get ready to flow with this emotion!