Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | May 26, 2017

Rating: 5 / 5

The essence: How do you quantify a docu-drama that features the man himself as the voice over, telling his story? Sachin: A Billion Dreams is something every Indian citizen should experience. It’s a lesson on life, on passion, on dedicated focus and on staying humble amid frenzied adulation…

Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… 

There is a huge crowd outside IMAX Adlabs, Wadala, Mumbai, something never seen even on an Id release. There is over 50 per cent occupancy on the first day first show (Hindi) and this speaks volumes about Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. They have come to see him bat, once again! There is also a Marathi version screening simultaneously, with as much crowd!

Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… 

There is complete silence as the screen lights up. James Erksine has a firm grip on the subject injecting life with his very first shot. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has taken guard. The vignettes keep coming and as a sports lover or an Indian citizen who has been bonded to cricket by Sachin, the goings-on on screen grip you, not only because of what you see, but as a cricket fan way back then, you relive the moments gone by.

Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… 

The defining moments are when on his debut in Pakistan, a Waqar Younis bouncer brushes past his nose and his determination to carry on, his hammering of Abdul Qadir in an exhibition match and the depressing moment when India returned from the 2007 World Cup, knocked out in the first round, beaten by Bangladesh in the very first match.

“There were 40 commandos outside my building and four inside the house,” reveals Sachin. “It was as though we had come back after committing a crime.” That was the time he thought of retirement. It was also the time when he got a call from his cricketing hero, Sir Vivian Isaac Richards who advised him against doing any such thing. “Not all dreams come true,” says Sachin and his dream was to win the World Cup. He thought that was one dream that would remain unfulfilled. But when you are Sachin Tendulkar, and you work hard, and a billion hearts are also wanting your dream to come true… magic happens.

Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… 

Imagine Bappi Lahiri sharing music space with Dire Straits! Yes, that’s how Sachin relaxed listening to Walk of Life and Yaad aa raha hai, tera pyaar the whole day!

Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… 

In the end, how do you quantify a docu-drama that features the man himself as the voice over, telling his story? Sachin: A Billion Dreams is something every Indian citizen should experience. It’s a lesson on life, on passion, on dedicated focus and on staying humble amid the adulation…

There may or may not be another Sachin Tendulkar on the cricket field, but this docu-drama is certain to inspire many youngsters work hard to achieve their goals. In Sachin’s case, there were no short cuts. It was sheer hard work, sacrificing important family moments to answer to National Duty on the sporting arena.

Kudos to James Erksine and the entire production team for taking the chance and releasing this as a full-fledged film. Sachin: A Billion Dreams is sure to break all box office records including the recent one by Bahubali:The Conclusion! Trust a sportsperson to break that record in record time!

Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… 

“This is the chant that will forever play in my mind. Thank you for this,” ends Sachin.

Thank you for the cricket, Sir!

CREDITS
Producer: Ravi Bhagchandka, Carnival Motion Pictures
Director: James Erksine