Based on true events, Maidaan follows the story of esteemed coach Syed Abdul Rahim who is tasked to assemble members of the national team following a humiliating loss. The story here is inspirational but also bittersweet given the hard work that he put in while being starkly in contrast to the times that Indian Football finds itself in. Yes I must also add that being a sports biopic drama, it does follow regular beats of the screenplay that you may have seen before – a typical underdog story of a bunch of unknowns toppling some of the giants of football worldwide. Sounds like a familiar story right? Yet, its screenplay of a shade above 3 hours is what makes for a compelling watch including the rousing final hour that is worth a thousand goosebumps. 

The drama does open with an ongoing football match between India and Yugoslavia wherein the latter dominates the proceedings, thus resulting in a humiliating defeat by Team India. This follows an introspection wherein the members of the Federation task esteemed coach SA Rahim to handpick players from across the country thereby kicking off his journey through the bylanes of the country. The writing also exposes the inherent politics that is prevalent amongst the members of the Federation, one of whom is shown to have contacts with a powerful sports journalist. This, while on the sport side, there is a considerable amount of buildup where the protagonist doesn’t always meet with success but is efficient in identifying and forming a team while often being in disagreement with a few members of the Federation. 

The proceedings are engaging and compelling wherein the yesteryear’s era is nicely showcased through some good filters that creates a good image in terms of production design. The focus is mostly on the protagonist with other characters around him either plotting against him or aiding him in some way or the other. This is evident through the personal life of the protagonist featuring his adorable wife and his son who aspires to play football for his country. The sport itself is a character which primarily excels when the players take the field. I did feel that the characters of the players could have been fleshed out a bit more like in Chak De India but I do get that this was mounted as the biopic on coach Syed Abdul Rahim who receives a gut-wrenching setback(s) at the halfway mark. 

The drama was meandering decently in the first hour but the addition of new dimensions in the screenplay, adds a certain sense of urgency as you continue to witness the mercurial rise of a legendary team in the making. This brings me to the final hour which accounts for a rousing celebration of Indian Football. Pretty much on the lines of Chak De India, the Asian Games glory and the journey to the eventual cup was indeed special. With everyone against them from the Federation to the Government, from the crowd to the strong opponents, the writing highlights the triumph of this team in the most goosebumps worthy manner that does allow you to not only be emotionally invested but also to shed a tear or two along the way. Needless to say that the final hour elevates the drama to new heights thereby summing up the screenplay which was so well penned. And I loved the bittersweet tribute of some of the players from that legendary team, some of whom did pass away during the filming of this film. But it was the recreation of an iconic moment in a superbly well penned screenplay.