Directed by : Gowtam Tinnanuri

Mīru vadulukuṇṭāru mariyu mīru pratisārī dūraṅgā veḷḷipōtāru. Mīru mī jīvitanlō kūḍā adē pani cēstunnāru.

Nani, Shraddha Srinath, Ronit Kamra in 'Jersey'

Spoilers ahead... 


At the age of 36, Arjun (Nani) decides to revive his cricketing career as a player (not coach). When he left cricket, settled down with his wife Sarah (Shraddha Srinath), a son Nani (Ronit Kamra) and a government job, he thought he would lead a happy life which doesn't happen. Its only when Nani demands Indian cricket team Jersey as birthday gift, which Arjun can't arrange that he realises about how useless he has been and he can't be a disappointment in the eyes of his own son too. 

There's a coach Murthy (Sathyaraj) who never stops believing in Arjun even after 10 years, always trying to ignite that hunger or desire back in him. Then we see Sarah who has become so content with the Arjun of now that she isn't even willing to give him money for a Jersey he wants to buy for their son's coming birthday. And that is very understandable because over the past 6-7 years she would have gone through a lot of lazy and careless attitude of Arjun which we aren't shown. 

Nani and Ronit Kamra in 'Jersey'
While director Gowtam very well executes these sub-plots, the heart of the movie lies in the Arjun and his son relationship, how a small birthday gift that he is unable to buy opens up his eyes realizing how can he not do something in life when his son at a time when's nothing still sees him as a hero. This part of movie hits you really well specially if you have or are going through a phase where you feel giving up and be happy with being a loser. 

Its a total Nani show from start to finish, I haven't seen any of his other films but there are characters you feel this actor lived through like it belongs to him and same happens here with Nani. Even if you aren't into cricket, its a story that will work for you that has a message of 'its never too late to try to achieve your dreams, and be willing to do hardwork because you can't rely on just luck'. 

Nani in 'Jersey'

I love the swag of Nani during the initial introduction scene of flashback that is immediately cut to 10 years later showing how his life actually turned out with his love. The train platform sequence is epic, who doesn't wanna shout out like that when feeling that happiness and letting all the inbuilt anger/frustration out, brilliantly acted and directed. 

Nani's scenes with Ronit Kamra are a delight, they got amazing chemistry and Ronit has acted very well with that innocence he's got. Check the scene where he's bowing down having for first time seen his dad play and play so well despite in a losing cause, and the effect it has on his dad. Or when a neighbour boy while playing cricket informs him about his dad's picture in the newspaper and he pretends that 'okay okay, lets play' turning his back and then giving that proud happy smile. 

Coming to the flaws, I had 2 main issues.. I would have said 3 by including how the cricket scenes feel monotonous and could have had their own story to tell but maybe director wanted to not have any focus shift from the main plot so I will not criticise that part. Atleast the scenes are shot well and don't give any feel of an amaeturish work, plus it helps to see Nani execute those shots looking very authentically. 

Shraddha Srinath in 'Jersey'
What I couldn't understand was the behavior of Sarah. For someone who was a die-hard supporter of Arjun on the cricket field, why would she ask him to accept her dad's money and get that government job back at a time when he's finally back to cricket field where he belongs and also at 36 age playing so exceptionally well. It just doesn't make sense, and I am taking into account she's been bitter which is solely Arjun irresponsible attitude, still it was bit too much to accept for me. 

The ending however really disappoints me. We see that heroic scene where a player who likes dealing in 4's and 6's, wins the match off the final ball by actually running 3 runs. Imagine if we saw a happy scene of Arjun, Sarah and their son posing with the trophy. Cut to probably Arjun entering the field to bat for 1st time as Indian player in Indian Jersey, with that swag style and the movie ends there. But no, rather what we get is a total manipulative emotional twist, a health issue given the reason behind why Arjun left the cricket. This felt so forced, I am not saying that it doesn't fit the narrative, it does.. but what was the need ? Is it not enough to leave cricket if at 26, you feel you are playing your best and yet for many reasons including politics, you don't get selected. Anyone would feel disheartened and leave their passion to pursue something else specially if they have a family to manage. 

Shraddha Srinath is very good, minus that cafe scene. You can easily notice how much she was suffering living with someone who isn't willing to change things and do something, too much details however aren't shown as its Arjun's story. Sathyaraj is lovable in coach role, more of playing a father to Arjun and I love the scene where he tells Arjun how much nervous he is about the results whether Arjun gets selected in Ranji's main squad or not. The rest supporting cast provides comic relief and it's not overdone so works fine for me. 

I like 'Spirit of Jersey' music, but other than that I prefer Hindi songs.. maybe its the language barrier or just the hindi songs are better.

Overall, Jersey is a very good film, if not for that final twist ruining mood I would have given it atleast 9. Its an inspiring movie specially if you have ever gone through a failure phase in life, and you also get to witness exceptional flawless performance from Nani. 

My Rating : 8/10