There are two new movies on boxing that are streaming on Prime and it is inevitable that both would be compared with each other. I have one suggestion to the cast and crew of Toofan, that they should hang up their gloves, once and for all.
Sarpatta is a length film, clocking at 170 minutes. To me, it seemed like two different movies.
The first one that lasts till intermission is 90 minutes long and is mind-blowing. It is humbling to see such world class cinema come out from India. These 90 minutes for me rank amongst the best cinema on boxing, of all time and stand their ground against all time classics such as Raging Bull, Rocky and Million Dollar Baby. They are populated by unforgettable characters, moored by their societal roots. There is an element of caste consciousness and strong over current of discrimination. The boxing scenes are shot brilliantly. As I wrote earlier, this is too notch and can be compared with any boxing film of any time.
The second half was a let down for me. It ticked all the suspected boxes, which was a let down and ended predictably. It seemed like the effort of lazy writing.
The director, Pa Ranjith, gives a masterclass of sense and time. It is the screenplay of the first half, which has so many unforgettable scenes and interactions between real world characters that is the hero. But it's banality in the second half also makes it the unintended villain.
Still this is very highly recommended. It might be India's entry to the Oscars and if that happens, it would be worthy of that laurel.
Sarpatta is a length film, clocking at 170 minutes. To me, it seemed like two different movies.
The first one that lasts till intermission is 90 minutes long and is mind-blowing. It is humbling to see such world class cinema come out from India. These 90 minutes for me rank amongst the best cinema on boxing, of all time and stand their ground against all time classics such as Raging Bull, Rocky and Million Dollar Baby. They are populated by unforgettable characters, moored by their societal roots. There is an element of caste consciousness and strong over current of discrimination. The boxing scenes are shot brilliantly. As I wrote earlier, this is too notch and can be compared with any boxing film of any time.
The second half was a let down for me. It ticked all the suspected boxes, which was a let down and ended predictably. It seemed like the effort of lazy writing.
The director, Pa Ranjith, gives a masterclass of sense and time. It is the screenplay of the first half, which has so many unforgettable scenes and interactions between real world characters that is the hero. But it's banality in the second half also makes it the unintended villain.
Still this is very highly recommended. It might be India's entry to the Oscars and if that happens, it would be worthy of that laurel.