Jersey (2021 Film)

''Jersey'' is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language sports drama film written and directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, being his Hindi directorial debut and the remake of his 2019 Telugu film of the same title. Cricket action was choreographed and directed by Rob Miller of ReelSports. It stars Shahid Kapoor as a former cricketer who returns to the game for his son's wish of buying a Jersey T- Shirt, alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pankaj Kapoor. The film is produced by Geetha Arts, Dil Raju Production, Sithara Entertainments and Brat Films.

Official announcement for the film was made in October 2019. Principal photography commenced in Chandigarh in December 2019 and ended in December 2020, amidst delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ''Jersey'' was originally scheduled for a cinema release on 28 August 2020 but was postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was theatrically released on 22 April 2022. Despite a positive reception from the critics and praise for Shahid Kapoor's performance, ''Jersey'' performed poorly at the box office.

Plot

26-year-old Arjun Talwar is an extraordinary cricketer from Chandigarh with the highest batting average in all of India and 106 half-centuries, fifty-two centuries, nine double centuries and two triple centuries to his name. Following the 1985-86 Duleep Trophy finals, Arjun awaits news of his selection in the India national team, only to find out his inclusion in the list was a misprint. Following this, he quits cricket. Arjun then applies for a job in the food sector and shortly after marries his girlfriend Vidya, with whom he has a son named Ketan, nicknamed Kittu. However, sometime in the early 1990s, Arjun is suspended from his job on corruption charges, although he is innocent.

In 1996, Arjun lives with Vidya and Kittu in a dilapidated house in Chandigarh, with Vidya struggling to make ends meet as a hotel receptionist. Kittu loves playing cricket, much like Arjun did, and wishes to get a jersey of the Indian national team for his upcoming birthday. Arjun tries getting one, but finds out it is very expensive; he then tries to loan the Jersey in vain and Vidya refuses to lend him money for the same. His friends try pooling funds for the jersey, but fall very short of the budget. Arjun's former coach Baali Sir approaches him to inform him of an upcoming charity match between Punjab and New Zealand, with players' fees included. Arjun's friend lies that Arjun has agreed to play, forcing Arjun to practice for the match late at night.

The next day, the New Zealand team bats impressively and sets a high target for Punjab. At first, Punjab seems to be losing the match, with very few runs and wickets falling quick. Arjun is sent onto the pitch, hitting fours and sixes with ease. Although the Punjab team eventually loses the match by one run, Arjun is praised by many, especially Kittu, for his exceptional batting. However, he is dismayed to find out that players' fees are going to charity as well. Arjun, ashamed that he was unable to get his son a jersey, tells Baali Sir that he wants to get back up playing cricket.

Officials are skeptical about Arjun, a 36-year-old, playing cricket, thinking he will not do well and will quit again in a year or two. However, they then see him play during practice, amazed by how he is able to score easily. Selections for the upcoming Ranji Trophy are underway, with only 15 out of 30 of the trainees being selected. The results come in, and Arjun is ecstatic after finding out that his name in the list. The first few matches go well, with Arjun making centuries effortlessly and simultaneously earning his teammates' respect and teaching them some of his techniques. Meanwhile, Arjun's time on the field takes a toll on him, resulting in him having to go to the hospital for some tests. Although it is said he may not be able to play in the finals, Arjun nevertheless appears for the match against Karnataka at the Wankhede Stadium.

In the second half of the match, he is pitted against Gowda, a bowler from the Karnataka team who has effortlessly taken wickets of batsmen who had played prior in the match. Gowda proves to be a challenge to Arjun, who however manages to get to a century. Gowda tries many tricks to take Arjun's wicket. However, this does not deter Arjun from scoring. In the final over, the team barely manages to score runs due to the opposition's strong bowling and Arjun being on the non-striker end. On the final ball, Arjun needing three runs to win, attempts to hit a sixer. Despite risking being run out, Arjun manages to make the required runs for his team to win the match and the trophy.

In 2022, Jasleen Shergill, a journalist who supported Arjun during his comeback, writes a biography about him titled ''Jersey''. At a function relating to the book, it is revealed that recently, a list of players selected for the Indian national team headed to England was found, with Arjun's name included in it. A grown-up Ketan is then called upon stage to receive a jersey with Arjun's name on it, thus fulfilling his childhood dream of getting a jersey. Ketan reveals that shortly after the Ranji finals, Arjun had to be admitted to the hospital, succumbing to heart failure caused by arrythmia, something Arjun knew he had, but chose to keep it a secret and the reason why he had to quit cricket. Ketan then ends his speech by stating that while people believed his father lost his life while trying, it was the opposite; even during hardships, Arjun never backed down till the very end.

Cast

* Shahid Kapoor as Arjun Talwar
*Mrunal Thakur as Vidya Rao Talwar, Arjun's wife
* Pankaj Kapur as Baali, Arjun's coach
*Prit Kamani as Ketan Talwar (Kittu), Arjun's son (cameo)
**Ronit Kamra as Young Ketan Talwar aka Kittu
* Geetika Mehandru as Jasleen Shergill
*Rudrashish Majumdar as Rudra Juneja
*Anjum Batra as Amrit, Arjun's friend
*Rituraj Singh as Mahesh Karmarkar, Mumbai Coach
*Vinay Varma as Krishna Rao, Vidya's father

Production

Speculations for a remake of the Telugu film ''Jersey'' (2019) began soon after its release. Later it was reported that Shahid Kapoor has been roped in to star as the lead actor while Shraddha Kapoor actress Rashmika Mandanna was considered to play the female lead in this film and it will be her Hindi debut film. Official announcement was made on 14 October that year, confirming all the cast and crew. But later Mrunal Thakur was finalised to cast in the movie Shahid's father Pankaj Kapur was roped in to portray Coach Murthy. The principal photography commenced on 14 December 2019 in Chandigarh.

While filming in January 2020, it was reported that Shahid Kapoor received thirteen stitches during a scene, though he later recovered. The filming was halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The filming was resumed in October 2020, production moved to Dehradun and filming took place at the all-boys' boarding school, The Doon School, and Kasiga School. Doon's cricket grounds, buildings and pavilion feature in the film and the trailer. The final schedule of the film took place at the Mohali Stadium in Punjab, and strict bio bubbles and quarantine rules were put in place for the safety of cast and crew. The filming wrapped up on 14 December 2020.

Music

The film's songs are composed by Sachet–Parampara while the lyrics are written by Shellee. The film score is composed by Anirudh Ravichander who composed the score and soundtrack for the original Telugu version. The film version of 'Jind Meriye' is sung by Javed Ali. 'Maiyya Mainu' second version was sung by Parampara Tandon.

Release

''Jersey'' was released on 22 April 2022. The film was initially scheduled to be theatrically released on 28 August 2020 and then on 5 November 2021, before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed production. It was later on again finalised for cinema release on 31 December 2021, but got indefinitely postponed due to the Omicron variant spread. Release date was revised later as 14 April 2022, but it was pushed by a week to avoid clash with '' Beast'' and '' K.G.F: Chapter 2''.

Home media

The film premiered on Netflix on 20 May 2022.

Distribution

All India distribution by Balaji Motion Pictures and Pen Marudhar Entertainment and overseas distribution by Yash Raj Films and Phars Film Co.

Reception

Box office

''Jersey'' earned 3.75 crore at the domestic box office on its opening day. On the second day, the film collected 5.50 crore. On the third day, the film collected 5.50 crore, taking total domestic weekend collection to 14.75 crore.

, the film grossed crore in India and crore overseas, for a worldwide gross collection of crore. ''Jersey'' performed poorly at the box office despite positive reception from critics. Ganesh Aaglave of ''Firstpost'' attributed to the film's failure to the box office clash with '' K.G.F: Chapter 2'', overdose of remakes of South Indian films by Shahid Kapoor, availability of the Hindi dubbed version of the original film on YouTube for free, and average music compared to his previous film '' Kabir Singh'' (2019).

Critical response

''Jersey'' received positive reviews with critics lauding the intent of the film and Shahid's performance.

Pankaj Shukla of ''Amar Ujala'' gave the film a rating of 4/5. A Reviewer from ''Prabhat Khabar'' gave the film a rating of 3.5/5. Archika Khurana of ''The Times Of India'' gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and wrote "This film leans more on emotional drama, while it could have struck a finer balance between the sports and the human drama". Himesh Mankad of ''Pinkvilla'' gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and wrote "Jersey is a well-intentioned sport drama, which much like the original, has heart at its right place. It rides on superlative performance by Shahid Kapoor, who rises to roar and revolt as a cricketer". Devansh Sharma of ''Firstpost'' gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and wrote "Jersey makes us find great comfort in familiarity. It's honest, but could have also been innovative and intricate". Sukanya Verma of ''Rediff'' gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and wrote "Jersey is a sweet little drama that hits a home run on the strength of its heart and hero".

A Reviewer of '' Bollywood Hungama'' gave the film a rating of 3/5 and wrote "While Shahid Kapoor Jersey scores with its performance and touching finale, the slow pace and opposition from KGF 2 will limit its box office prospects". Bharathi Pradhan of ''Lehren'' gave the film a rating of 3/5 and wrote "Shahid Kapoor looks and enacts his part as cricketer, lover and father with impressive credibility". Tushar Joshi of ''India Today'' gave the film a rating of 3/5 and wrote "Jersey is a solid effort by Shahid Kapoor and it once again proves his mettle as an actor". Shubhra Gupta of ''The Indian Express'' gave the film a rating of 2.5/5 and wrote "Shahid Kapoor-Mrunal Thakur-starrer film, an official remake of the 2019 Telugu hit of the same name and by the same director, has all the elements of an inspirational sports drama". Saibal Chatterjee of ''NDTV'' gave the film a rating of 2.5/5 and wrote "On the acting front, Shahid is the Man of the Match. The team effort behind him is strengthened by the performances from Mrunal Thakur and Ronit Kamra, a confident child actor". Monika Rawal Kukreja of '' The Hindustan Times'' stated "Shahid Kapoor delivers one of his best performances. However, the film's length works against it". Anuj Kumar of ''The Hindu'' stated "Despite heartwarming moments, 'Jersey' suffers from logical loopholes and a sense of deja vu".

References

https://www.aajtak.in/entertainment/bollywood-news/story/geetika-mehandru-actress-bollywood-shahid-kapoor-kissed-kabir-singh-jersey-co-star-tmov-1381694-2021-12-27

External links

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{{Portal bar, India, Film, Bollywood

Film productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Films about cricket in India
Films directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri
Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Hindi remakes of Telugu films
Films scored by Sachet–Parampara
Indian sports drama films
Sri Venkateswara Creations films