*ing: Irrfan Khan, Brijendra Kala, Mahie Gill, Vipin Sharma
“Beehad mein baaghi hote hain, dacoit milte hain parliament mein”, says Paan Singh Tomar (Irrfan Khan) to the journalist (Brijendra Kala) who refers him as a dacoit during an interview. This is only an instance; the movie is laden with powerful dialogues. Completed one and a half years ago, Paan Singh Tomar (PST) was only limited to some film festivals. Finally it has seen the light of the day.
The movie starts with Brijendra Kala going to interview Paan Singh after leaving his daughter as pledge in Paan Singh’s men’s custody. It is during this interview where Paan Singh recounts his story how he turned into a dacoit…err… rebel. PST is based on true story of Paan Singh Tomar, a soldier-turned-athlete-turned-rebel. Paan Singh, a soldier in Indian Army when told that he would get to eat as much as he wants if he turns a player in army, wants to become one. Because he is extremely quick with his legs, he succeeds in becoming a steeplechase runner in Indian army. Paan Singh is simple and calls a spade a spade. When his coach swears at him using his mother’s name (gives “maa ki gali”), furious with his coach, he says “Saab Maa ki gaali mat dena, warna goli chal jaayegi.”
He retires from his job early because of on-going land dispute with his relative (cousin??) Bhanwar Singh who is claiming Paan Singh’s land as his by forging documents. When his son is beaten black and blue by Bhanwar Singh and his men, he seeks police’s help but corrupt that they are do not listen to Paan Singh’s complaint. Paan Singh’s house is attacked by Bhanwar Singh and his men. All his family members succeed to escape but his mother is killed by Bhanwar Singh. Now with law not on his side, Paan Singh sees no other choice other than to head for the ravines of Chambal and turn into a rebel.
PST, written by director Tigmanshu Dhulia and Sanjay Chauhan, is funny as well as sad. The dialogues have always been high point of Dhulia’s movies and PST is no exception. Sample this: “Baap chhalkaye jaam aur beta bandhe ghungroo.” The local dialect that has been used in the movie not only makes the movie more authentic but also adds the rustic charm to the movie, in the same way as it did to Omkara. The length of the movie is longer than normal movies but PST being a biopic, this is understandable. Moreover, the movie does not have any dull moment; so I am not complaining about the length and no one will… I reckon. Dhulia also does the right thing by not forcing songs into the narrative in the name of commercialization.
Irrfan Khan, one of the finest actors in Hindi cinema, brings out the character of Paan Singh Tomar alive on the screen. When Irrfan utters those razor sharp dialogues, it is not only his mouth that talks but also his eyes and body. Even his silence speaks louder than words. Every time he asks his son/daughter to go and have lemon juice (so that he and his wife are left alone) with “that” mischief in his eyes, viewers will be in giggles.
Brijendra Kala, though in a small role, does a fine job. Mahie Gill (Paan Singh’s wife), Vipin Sharma (Major Masand), Rajendra Gupta (Paan Singh’s coach) all have performed well. Zakir Hussain does not have much to do but he is first rate. The movie boasts of good performance from all the supporting cast.
PST is a tribute to the unsung sports heroes of India, the country where cricketers are apotheosized but every other sport and sportsperson are not even cared for, by both the public and the media. PST is successful in showing the plight of Indian sports heroes through the story of Paan Singh Tomar.
Dhulia has delivered another great movie with Paan Singh Tomar after Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster. Dhulia has shown that even biographies can be entertaining. I will be keeping a keen eye on Dhulia’s next release Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster-2 again starring Irrfan Khan.
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