Shabaash Mithu Review: This Taapsee Pannu starrer is a run-of-the-mill sports biopic but voices out harsh realities of Indian cricket

Director: Srijit Mukherji

Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Vijay Raaz and others

Where: In theatres near you

Rating: 2.5 stars

In the recent past, Hindi cinema saw a series of sports-based films. The majority of them were on cricket, and the other few showcased sports like boxing and racing but none of them made a mark anywhere. Joining the bandwagon is director Srijit Mukherji’s Shabaash Mithu, who earlier helmed Begum Jaan and Sherdil. Shabaash Mithu is a sports biopic based on the life of Mithali Raj, Captain of India’s women’s cricket.

Mithali, aka Mithu, born in a middle-class family in Hyderabad, aspires to become a trained cricketer and play for team India someday. That dream of hers becomes a reality but at the cost of her life.

Every sports biopic or drama has a linear storyline with similar high points, being an underdog in the first half and triumphing over all the odds in the second half, and Shabaash Mithu is no different.

The runtime of the film is also questionable, which is 162 minutes. As a filmmaker, Srijit always picks up great subjects but gets lost as the story moves forward. Shabaash Mithu is slightly better than his previous flat films.

A couple of dialogues strike a chord, and you may feel like shedding a tear or a half. The best part of the film is not how Mithali’s ordinary life turns to gold but that the film is a curtain raiser for the underlying issues, struggles and basic rights at the Women’s Cricket Board. The film beautifully highlights the gender disparity among men and women players — no wonder cricket is called a ‘gentleman’s game’ along with the subdued patriarchy.

Taapsee’s monotony continues as Mithu. Her graph as a performer is at par with all her previous films, including Rashmi Rocket. As an individual film, Shabaash Mithu is a notch higher since it has few moments on humanitarian grounds. Vijay Raaz as coach Sampat is brilliant. He keeps his character alive throughout. The rest of the cast has done a decent job.

Shabaash Mithu has nothing new to offer being a sports biopic unless you are curious to know who Mithali Raj is. It’s strictly a one-time watch.