Review: Dhoni - a thought provoking story

Hyderabad: To all those who presume that 'Dhoni' is a movie about cricket; it's a blot from the blue.

The film is a simple but thought provoking story of a middle class common man questioning our education system and its unnecessary regulations and burdens it puts on the students.

Subramanyam (Prakash Raj), a government clerk, is a widower who has two children, Karthik (Aakash) and a daughter. As any other parent he hopes that his kids study well and earn a respectable job in the society, but Karthik is different.

He aspires to become a great cricketer for which he takes Mahendra Singh Dhoni as his inspiration. No matter how hard Subbu (Subramanyam) tries to urge Karthik to study, he fails at every step as Karthik is so into cricket that he doesn't focus on studies.

Bogged down by pressure and insults from Karthik's teachers, one day Subbu shows his anger on Karthik and hits him.

Karthik falls and hits a study table and injures himself which makes him unconscious. In a state of panic, Subbu takes him to a hospital where he discovers that Karthik goes into a coma due to the blood clot in the brain.

Karthik slowly heals, but is paralysed and forced to drop out from his school due to his inability to appear for his final exams.

Subbu gets really provoked by this and after a lot of anger and discussion, he with the help of Samudram (Gollapudi Maruthi Rao), his neighbour and a well known face in the media, approaches a channel in which he shells out his agony and complaints against the school and the education system which has knowingly or unknowingly contributed to the situation which his son is going through.

The rest of the story is about how Subbu vents his anger against the system and the consequences he faces due to his actions.

At the end, the film conveys a beautiful message - that a parent as well as the school should encourage the child to strive for his/her passion instead of an obligated career imposed on them. Finely crafted human emotions make 'Dhoni'.

The movie moves the audience into a convincing zone where anyone can relate themselves to the characters in the film and their lives. It's about human emotions nicely blended with sentiment.

Aakash performs well, especially in the scenes where he is paralysed. Gollapudi Maruthi Rao gives his best in the role of a concerned neighbour.

All the actors are perfect in their roles - Bramhanandam as Subbu's boss, Murali Sharma as Ghani Bhai who loans money to Subbu, Nazar as Karthik's Coach and Bharani as the school principal.

Out and out it's a complete Prakash Raj movie altogether, also this being his directorial debut. His performance as usual is exceptional, also not to forget the outstanding contribution by the Maestro Ilaya Raja and Siri Vennela Seetharamarasastry with music and lyrics respectively.

Prabhu Deva's cameo song is laudable. Overall, 'Dhoni' warrants a watch- especially after a season of big blockbusters in the industry. 'Dhoni', as of now will continue to bat in the theatres not out.