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The real-life story of subedar Paan Singh Tomar, a seven-time national champion athlete and Army jawan who became a dacoit
Sportsmen and outlaws inhabit two different universes. One shines amidst the bright lights of glory, the other haunts the ravines of notoriety. But in director Tigmanshu Dhulia's biopic, Paan Singh Tomar, the two worlds collide. And the result is a rather exquisite blend of drama, humour and tragedy; altogether eminently enjoyable good cinema.
Beginning 1958, Tomar was a seven-time national champion in steeplechase, a grueling athletic event where participants jump over seven water hazards and 28 hurdles while running a distance of 3,000 metres. Born in the dacoit-infested district of Morena, Tomar was an Army jawan too. He didn't run for pleasure; only for better food that athletes were entitled to. How a simple jawan becomes a feared outlaw is the kernel of the film's story.
Dhulia, who worked with Shekhar Kapur in the seminal Bandit Queen, enters the crevices of the badlands of Chambal river and makes you understand how bandits are born. But he also brings out the camaraderie of the jawans and the gentle humour of a unit are rather well brought out. The beauty of the movie is that it blends the personal with the larger social truths. Tomar may have been running in Tokyo but back home in his village, his family must suffer the same oppression and humiliation as others.
The movie shows how Tomar himself is part of the feudal mindset in his own way. He prides in the fact that his uncles are outlaws and he tells his coach not to abuse him. For him, that is unacceptable. The movie illustrates the linkages between land and dacoits - how every affront becomes part of a memory and how every murder becomes a link to another, a never-ending chain.
The movie works because Irffan makes Paan Singh Tomar come alive as an athlete, as a husband and as a dacoit. This is a flawless performance from a consummate actor. As his wife, Gill comes up with a rare restrained performance. There is humour as well a delicate intensity in the romantic scenes between the two. Dhulia gets great work from the remainder of the cast. The camerawork, especially of the ravines and the river, is excellent.
In a country obsessed with overpaid cricketers, a biopic on a former national champion athlete is reason enough to celebrate. But Dhulia's film is much more. It is one of superbly crafted film that underlines the linkage of life, sports and society.
It is perhaps a sign of Bollywood maturing that another biopic on a famous athlete is in the making: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, on sprinter Milkha Singh. Till then, let us just relish the pleasure of watching Paan Singh Tomar.
Review posted within last 6 month
i am stunned. I am amazed. What is awesomeness. Awesomeness is paan singh tomar.
Review posted within last 6 month
Made you think about the system !! Good Movie !!
Review posted within last 6 month
Worth the time spent... Good movie!
Review posted within last 6 month
Gripping- very nice story. This may give sports some push in India.
Review posted within last 6 month
superb movie !!! irfan fully justify the roll
Review posted within last 6 month
great story, great acting. With a movie having a small budget you cannot expect this much. Irfan Khan acting the amazing direction had made an exceptional movie. Everyone should watch this movie. It will also help us to understand the present situation of sports in India, How a big sportsman becomes a outlaw. Exceptionally well story.
Review posted more than 6 month ago
The real-life story of subedar Paan Singh Tomar, a seven-time national champion athlete and Army jawan who became a dacoit
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Power ACT of 2012... Irfaan is awesome...
Review posted more than 6 month ago
awesome movie..
Review posted more than 6 month ago
just mindblowing.. Irrfan is really good actor..!!
Review posted more than 6 month ago
When Irrfan Khan is there in a movie with lead role, the movie cannot be missed. Superb acting and superb story telling.
Review posted more than 6 month ago
a real epic.with litl pinch of satire on our Indian thinking towards sportsperson.. .....a great movie
Review posted more than 6 month ago
A wonderful eye-opener along with being entertaining.
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Well made Hats off to tigmashu dhulia Irfan Khan is amazing as usual
Review posted more than 6 month ago
recently saw 'paan singh tomar'..The movie works because Irffan makes Paan Singh Tomar come alive as an athlete, as a husband and as a dacoit. This is a flawless performance from a consummate actor.. The camerawork, especially of the ravines and the river, is excellent. In a country obsessed with overpaid cricketers, a biopic on a former national champion athlete is reason enough to celebrate. Irrfan is simply 'amazing'.He reminds me of dilip kumar ,sanjeev kumar., motilal ,balraj sahni school of acting.Hats off to Tigmanshu the director. I appreciate the kind of work he does. those highly overrated and self promoting directors & actors should learn from them.the likes of rohits, devgans should take a back seat. the movie shreds the indians approach towards sport-persons. no wonder teens never stop thinking of cricket & crickets .irrfan khan has the guts to work for such a fils which offers him sheer grime & dust in the ravindes of morena's. all the bext to such a pair.
Review posted more than 6 month ago
story is superb...all the way an irfan khan movie...superb direction by tighmanshu dhulia...must a watch!!!
Review posted more than 6 month ago
The most heart touching film ever till now i m totally impressed by the character played by sir irrfan nd bye last scene of the film i hve totally cried for real legendry hero sir paan singh tomar ji whose record is 9min 4 sec of 3000 m nd won 7 medal thats all i hve totally impressed that i hve read the biography of sir paan singh tomar ji by heartly..........
Review posted more than 6 month ago
this movie should be sent for natioanal award............
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Great Movie Not Real Life of Story of Sports Person But also Real life Indian Village in Chamble .
Review posted more than 6 month ago
We owe you ! Paan singh tomar!
Review posted more than 6 month ago
YEH FILM DO BAATE BATATI HAI 1 SPORTSMAN KI HALAT 2 CHAMBAL KI SAMASYA . PKK
Review posted more than a year ago
supeb movie, finest acting with gr8 potential... irffan sir..
Review posted more than a year ago
Hats off to the Director who made Paan Sing Tomar movie. This is a movie which should be given 5Star rating and also paan sing tomar's family shoud be introduced to everyone by media and his family should be awarded as well. Incase if any media ppl is watching my comment please a humble request for you to introduce his family in media. I would like to salute to such great ppl and will like to meet them in personal if possible.. Thanks, Anand Pawar
Review posted more than a year ago
amazing acting by irrfan and a great movie must watch
Review posted more than a year ago
this is the most touchable realistic movie for the year 2012. initiall the innocence of irfan khan and the change in the end part was so fabulous indeed this is awesome movie IRFAN KHAN is the real hero just lived the movie
Review posted more than a year ago
Paan Singh Tomar, Kahaani and now Vicky Donor. Is this still Hindi Cinema? Unbelievable stuff and hats off to all the cast members of these movies.. I can't compare the 3 movies but can still say that all 3 leave their impression for a long time. While Paan Singh touches you to your core, Kahaani gives you thrill and then Vicky Donor sends a strong message that there are people out there who you can feel for. 5 out of 5 for all of these movies.
Review posted more than a year ago
There is possibilty of thousands of PAAN singhs in indian society in the present senario of politics and law execution. This film is an alrm and inspiration at the same time for the Wicked and well deserving indian common man respectively. Jai Hind
Review posted more than a year ago
must must watch movie..pls go and watch
Review posted more than a year ago
this movie touched my heart.
Review posted more than a year ago
great movie...shows how some hardcore criminals are born out of brutal oppression and injustice.
Review posted more than a year ago
I think the every point ,every sequence of this film is the best n please go to watch for all indians like me who believes in good story n good indian cinema . Please watch it again .thanks
Review posted more than a year ago
all public reviews having either 4 or 5 star ratings.. this is called a real true review... superb movie..!!
Review posted more than a year ago
A classic movie I have ever seen for a long time. Must see, Don't let it go. Strongly recommonded for all INDIANS.
Review posted more than a year ago
Great effort to bring this type of unknown matter in light with good approach.
Review posted more than a year ago
bhai ko banaras ka paan wa bada pasand hui gava.ka naam rakha movie ka.are itna doura rahe ho hamar paanwa ko..........
Review posted more than a year ago
A very genuine movie, totally subjective, excellent performances, good direction. Excellent performance by Irfan Khan. True face of villages in this film......... A big applauds to the entire team of Pan Singh Tomar movie...... must watch !!!
Review posted more than a year ago
Irfan khan sir was0the actual hero. The film was based on one who was not between uss because of system.indian system was on same path as in the 60s or 80s but irfan sir done the justice with the soul of sh paan singh tomar. And I think he is the only man who can do the same with so much purity. Irfan sir hats off for your work. Saurabh Pandey
Review posted more than a year ago
a must watch.... for a real cinema lover.
Review posted more than a year ago
Its a nicely made movie. Irfan Khan is absolutely convincing and has acted brilliantly. And in a story such as this, they have managed to stitch together comic moments in a nice subtle manner. Does not get slow at any point of time and is very original!! Good watch
Review posted more than a year ago
awesome movie that i seen in my life after sarfarosh and offcourse Irfan khan is best actor.The laungauge which is so real just like all is happening in reality.
Review posted more than a year ago
No can beat Irfan khan. No doubt... he is a great actor.
Review posted more than a year ago
The Best Actor Award goes to Irfan khan, I am talking about National award, Filmfare to bikau hai !
Review posted more than a year ago
Dats wat good cinema is. These type of movies and acting make us proud of our cinema. Fantastic acting. I guess its Irfan's best performance till date. Got 2 it guyz.
Review posted more than a year ago
Wonderful movie! Must watch!
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