CRICKET BEHIND THE SCENES

film-obsessed society.

But beneath the vigorous filminess there is the underbelly of societal maladies represented in the clash between the heroine's conservative father and loutish husband. The two roles are brilliantly manoeuvred by Ashutosh Rana and Sikandar Kher into areas of darkness and then steered expertly back into the orbit of light. But do not confuse the light for lightness. For even as the romance grows in the second-half into a Devdas-remix, that core of buoyant rumination courses through the film's veins, imbuing the central romance with energy and grace.

Milan Talkies is a delightful watch, much of its joy derived from packing in tropes and cliches from Hindi films and re-packaging them with renewed vivacity. No assessment of this tender tale told in loops of hectic reconnaissance can be complete without a mention of Sanjai Mishra's role as Usman the film projectionist at the eponymous Milan Talkies, where a very crucial part of the romantic reunion unfolds.

Mishra plays a kind of reluctant sutradhaar, who becomes a pivotal character in a romance played out with spectacular ebullience in Allahabad where goons masquerade as moral police, castrating Romeos to protect the Juliets, and provincial film-makers dream of making it big in Bollywood.

Just like Tigmanshu Dhulia, himself the boy from Allahabad who made it big in Bollywood. Milan Talkies tells us it is okay to dream of creating your own Mughal-eAzam in real and real life. Because you never know who is watching.

Subhash K Jha

On the performance front, while Barun Sobti is a good actor, as the shy and introvert Ronajit, he is a bit of a disappointment. Probably his character was not well-defined. Also, with a weak, hoarse voice he tries to emulate Farhan Akthar, which does not say much about the character he portrays. Also there is an issue with the consistency of his accent. Nevertheless, he is charming and rooted.

Panchi Bora in her maiden performance as Sonali is competent. She is natural and aptly supports Barun as his love interest. Their onscreen chemistry is palpable.

The others in the cast include Geetika Tyagi as Rica, Amartya Ray as Shome the down and out cricketer who Ronajit resurrects, Chaiti Ghosal as Shomea’s sister Krishna and Rajit Kapoor as the psychologist Zahid Khan. They all have their moments of on screen glory.

provide neat little bits of expositions till Ronajit Sen falls from grace after being seen in the company of a bookie.

Overnight he is reduced to a pariah.

Beating all odds, how he once again rises like a phoenix, forms the crux of the tale.

The narrative punctuated with Ronajit's intriguing back story is a huge distraction as well as disappointment. It lets your mind wander and does not help you return to equilibrium.

With moderate production values, the film is skilfully mounted except for the initial stage where the camera work is a bit disconcerting. The visuals and sound are astutely layered by editor Ajay Sharma.

Overall, 22 Yards is an average film that gives a simplistic insight in to the crafty world of cricket.

Troy Ribeiro