PAAN SINGH TOMAR - Movie Review : Feeling proud as well as ashamed after watching this honest well crafted film revealing the bitter truth. (A Tribute by Bobby Sing) (Movies To See Before You Die - Biographical)

First of all, I would like to admit that this is not a routine review of just another new film released this Friday from Bollywood. Because in true words, we all so called literate, knowledgeable countrymen sitting in the comfort of our cozy houses in the metros, simply have no right to judge this honest film made on a real-life gifted character, who was ready to die for the country if given a chance. So please excuse me if you were looking for a detailed movie review here as per the custom.

Beginning with the headline used above, I really felt both proud as well as ashamed after watching this honest well crafted film revealing the bitter truth of our Indian Social System through its powerful narrative.

PROUD, because the film perfectly proves to be a true example of CINEMA made in the right manner for the overall benefit of the society. CINEMA, as per my understanding is a powerful medium of expression which basically needs to serve two main purposes. It has to entertain as well as enlighten its viewers about the various important issues prevailing in the system which need to be addressed urgently. Though in India, the medium is largely used and exploited for mere entertainment of the masses, but still it feels proud to have directors like Tigmanshu Dhulia who are blessed with the spirit, understanding and enthusiasm to make movies on such subjects which otherwise remain untouched and underground due to their fiery political nature.

To be precise, how many of us ever knew about this character called PAAN SINGH TOMAR who actually existed in our society a few decades ago? We all love Cricket so much, remembering all its record makers and breakers on our tips. But how many of us ever knew about this seven-time NATIONAL CHAMPION in steeplechase (obstacle) race, a born athlete who later had to pick up arms and became a hard-core WANTED rebel (not Dacoit) of Beeharh? The film enlightens us all about Paan Singh’s sad life-story and thus fulfills its duty of being a “True Cinematic Effort” made by Tigmanshu, Irfan and the team. So on a positive note, I really felt great watching PAAN SINGH TOMAR as our own Bollywood product made in the most authentic manner as it should have been, ignoring all the commercial aspects associated with the business.

It also made me remember another proud product of our Indian Film Industry, BANDIT QUEEN directed by Shekhar Kapoor in 1994, which is till date considered to be a major benchmark in the history of Film-making in India. Interestingly, (as reported) director Tigmashu Dhulia worked with Shekhar in this project only in his early days, which undoubtedly must have helped while making his own present masterpiece on a similar subject. As mentioned above, BANDIT QUEEN was also mainly responsible of making its key character PHOOLAN DEVI, hugely famous all over the country, who was still alive at the time the film got released. But unfortunately PAAN SINGH TOMAR is not with us today, otherwise he would have surely got his much awaited honor and respect from the Indian audience after seeing this shocking bio-pic made on his actual life.

Before moving on to the acidic part of this write-up, I would like to say that as a movie, it’s a gripping experience which works majorly in its first half with a pinch of comic moments too, added brilliantly in its screenplay. The second half expectedly talks about the transformation part which can also be considered as just another ‘Vengeance Saga’ by many critiques. However, putting all the pieces together, it’s a lot more than only a revenge tale, taking you deep into the innocent world of PAAN SINGH and the reasons for which he was forced to pick up the gun.

Well supported by a spectacular cinematography, sharp editing and an award winning performance by Irfan Khan, it’s a worth watching gem striking a difficult balance between the life of a sportsman and a rebel. Though as I felt, the background score could have been better but still it serves the purpose well while watching the film. But here instead of giving you a review, I would like to mention a few dialogues of the film (as I can recall), which should be enough to prove the precious value of this rare gem (a biography) coming out of Bollywood after a long time.

As the film starts off, defining the thin line between a Dacoit and a Rebel, Paan Singh informs his officer saying, “Hamaar Mama Beeharh Ke Baaghi Thhey, Dacait Nahin…..Aur Bahut Izzat Thi Unki Purey Ziley Mein!”

After winning an important race, PAAN SINGH goes straight to his coach, touches his feet and says, “Guruji, Aap Hamare Guru Hain Par Aage Se Kabhi Hamein Gaali Mat Deejiyega, Hamse Sehan Nahin Hota”

On being addressed as a Daku by the reporter in his interview, Paan Singh comes forward and says, “‘Beeharh Mein Baaghi Hotey Hain…..Dacait Milte Hain Parliament Mein'.

In the last meeting (after becoming a rebel) with his supportive Military Officer, the Officer leaves Paan Singh saying, “Ab Main Tumse Kabhi Nahin Milunga Aur Yeh Hamari Aakhri Mulaqaat Hogi”……..but to this Paan Singh replies, “Par Khabrein Milti Rahengi!”

And lastly, on hearing the radio, broadcasting the news of Paan Singh Tomar’s search by the Police all over, he laughs in anger and says, “Jab Desh Ke Liye Bhaaga, Tab Kisi Ne Nahin Poocha………, Ab Beeharh Mein Bhaag Rahey Hain To Saaley Sab Naam Jap Rahey Hain!”

So, if the above few dialogues cannot convince you to watch PAAN SINGH TOMAR as soon as possible then I seriously don’t know what else can.

Now coming to the harsh part of this write-up, I felt ashamed after watching this flick due to more than one reason related to both Bollywood as well as the polticial social system we are living in.

Taking up Bollywood first, it was really a shame that this well-made film was lying in cans, waiting to get released for more than one year for some undisclosed reasons. If it was due to any personal disputes in the team then that’s a different case, but if it was due to lack of buyers (because of its non-commercial subject) then that is really something serious to think upon by the Industry. The word CINEMA is complete only if we keep on making films on diversified subjects related with its various genres. Otherwise it will be just like eating the same dish in dinner every day leading to boredom. So if films like PAAN SINGH TOMAR will continue finding difficulties in getting released then Who will like to make them in the near future?

It was also painful watching the movie as a viewer too since there were only 20-25 people watching it in the theater in its first show. At one end we all keep shouting loudly on all those crap movies offered to us week after week in the disguise of big budget multi-starrers. But when such a meaningful, well conceived and superbly performed enlightening movie releases, we don’t opt for it to save our money for something else. So it’s like double standard mindsets working on both the sides, in the makers as well as in the viewers. And if that goes on like this, then the gap between such enlightening gems is sure going to increase further, which would indeed be a big loss for all the true lovers of Indian Cinema.

Talking about the real theme of the film, I was ashamed to know the facts since I never knew or ever read about PAAN SINGH TOMAR’s tragedy before watching the film. As an Indian it was really shameful to know that Paan Singh opted for SPORTS during his Defence services, not due to any passion for athletics but only for the reason that in SPORTS there was no restriction on the quantity of meals you eat during a day. It was also shocking to know that even before going for international events, the Indian athletes were never given Spikes to wear in their practice sessions, but were asked to do the same just before the final race. (Reminding me of another film under-production on the life of MILKHA SINGH)

Further, it was really disgusting to see the way, a NATIONAL CHAMPION from the Defence services was treated by a Police officer asking him the proof of winning all the games and throwing away his Gold medal with some loud abuses. And then how the same NATIONAL CHAMPION was not given any chance of “A Dialogue” or “Surrender” by the government for whom he had served and won several prizes during his service tenure.

But that was not all, as the biggest shock came when in the end they showed a whole list of names on the black screen, who were NATIONAL Champions in OLYMPICS and other games but had died eventually either due to lack of medical treatment or being penniless without any kind of help given from the Indian Government. Reading the list scrolling on the screen was really disheartening which only reminded me of a scene from the film itself, which was just contradicting to the list.

In the movie, as the WAR is on, everyone is leaving for the Front but Paan Singh is not allowed to go since he is a fantastic Athlete representing the Defence forces in its various competitions. When he questions this decision from his officers, he is told that “Sportsmen are not allowed to go because they are our National Treasures and we cannot afford to lose them”.

The words came to my mind while reading the list of all those great sportsmen shown on the screen and I asked to myself,
“Are these talented people, the NATIONAL TREASURES of the country only till the day they can perform on the field?
Don’t they remain the same NATIONAL TREASURES once they get retired?
And Isn’t this a NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY of the Nation’s Government to take care of all these gifted personalities after their retirement, till their last breath and give them a honorable farewell in the end?”.

The same principle applies to every art form including the Film Industry, where we have recently seen veterans like A. K. Hangal in a sorry state asking for monetary help on the national news channels.

So this is not a review of the film PAAN SINGH TOMAR but a humble tribute from my side along with Tigmanshu and Irfan Khan, for such blessed souls who were sadly not treated well by our own society. Paan Singh may have opted for a wrong or debatable path in order to fight for this own rights. But had the Government been there to take care of him in those difficult days, considering him as A NATIONAL TREASURE, we could have got a great COACH instead of a REBEL running in the Beeharh.

Ratings : RESPECT instead of Stars and Highly Recommended.