Azhar

Azhar is a biographical sports drama film released in 2016, inspired by the life of the revered and controversial Indian cricket captain, Mohammad Azharuddin. The film, directed by Tony D’Souza, stars Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai, and Nargis Fakhri, and provides a unique portrait of one of the most enigmatic figures in Indian sports history.

The film commences by drawing the viewers into the rich labyrinth of Azhar's early life. Emraan Hashmi steps into the character of Azharuddin impeccably, manifesting his characteristic wristy stroke-play and his unique collar-up style with ease, mirroring the cricketer at the peak of his career. The narrative effortlessly weaves through Azhar's childhood in Hyderabad, his deeply supportive grandfather's role in fostering his cricketing prowess, and his quick ascendency through the ranks into Indian cricket. Prachi Desai portrays Azhar's first wife, Naureen, with grace and sobriety, filling up the screen with convincing expressions of love, innocence, confusion, and heartbreak.

The core of the movie is built around one of the most disputed events in Indian cricket – the match-fixing scandal of 2000. The film's narrative gracefully entwines Azhar's personal life challenges with the turmoil he faced in his professional career. Hashmi's portrayal of Azhar fuses emotional depth with complexity, capturing his hero’s change from a celebrated figure to a disgraced cricketer accused of match-fixing.

An integral component of the film is the personal turbulence in Azhar’s life. It delves into his complicated marital life, especially focusing on his relationship with Bollywood actor Sangeeta Bijlani, powerfully portrayed by Nargis Fakhri. This aspect of his life, along with his flourishing sports career, creates a riveting blend of personal and professional dilemmas for the protagonist.

The film adroitly portrays the press, courtroom drama, and the cricket ambiance, providing a vivid visual treat to viewers. It places Azhar in the vortex of intense media scrutiny and probes into the morally grey areas that marked his tenure as a cricket captain. The courtroom scenes with Azhar defending himself add a profound layer of drama to the narrative.

Azhar is interspersed with cricket series and power-packed matches that will indeed bring joy to cricket enthusiasts. Although the scriptwriters have taken creative liberties to exaggerate and dramatize events, they succeed in capturing the quintessence of Azharuddin's cricketing journey while offering a nuanced perspective into his personal life.

Azhar’s screenplay maintains seamless continuity. The film employs an unruffled, back-and-forth storytelling style, moving flawlessly between past and present, keeping viewers hooked on. Furthermore, Emraan Hashmi commends with his heart-felt act, embodying the charisma, enigma, and the dilemmas of Azhar.

Lara Dutta as Meera, the stern and relentless lawyer who is hell-bent on proving him guilty, gives a sterling performance. Other notable actors, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Gautam Gulati, and Rajesh Sharma, perform their roles effortlessly, enriching the ensemble cast.

The film's music, arranged by a team of talented composers, plays a considerable role in the narrative. The tracks are appropriately spread throughout the film, reducing the chance of the audience losing touch with the story. Music guides the emotional contour of the film and enhances the storytelling process.

Despite its controversial theme, the film maintains a neutral stance, leaving the audience to form their own judgment about the protagonist’s innocence or guilt. This conscious decision by the filmmakers adds a layer of maturity to the narrative, making the cinematic experience more interactive.

A special mention goes to the meticulous detailing the makers have put into capturing the '80s and '90s era of cricket and the inherent spirit of the game. From the commentary to the outfits, everything makes you nostalgic.

Overall, Azhar is an exciting cinematic interpretation of one of the most loved and controversial players of Indian cricket. As a sports biopic, it combines drama, emotion, controversy, and cricket with a deft touch and keeps the audience engaged. At its heart, it is a story of redemption and resilience, a tale of a man grappling with his choices, stardom, and inner demons. For fans of cricket, biopics, or meaningful cinema, the film is an intriguing watch.