Harman Baweja comes out victorious in his second movie titled 'Victory' though his debut 'Love Story 2050' had been a miserable one. The movie provides him a sigh of relief at a time when a look-alike of Hrithik Roshan as he was described earlier indeed succeeds in his family profession. This also lends him support at a time when the handsome boy has just recently lost his first love Priyanka Chopra. He need not despair though as he might make up his lost love with his second movie co-star, another pretty actress Amrita Rao.
Now, let's analyze the movie that is based on the game of cricket. Though Bollywood has had several movies in the past on sports, especially on this game of cricket in movies like 'Lagaan' and 'Iqbal', but it is claimed to be different. . While Aamir Khan's 'Lagaan' turned into stadiums during the penultimate cricket match in the film, 'Victory' revolves around a cricketer as to how he ascends, soon descends and later regains his lost form to turn a hero once again. Two, the movie has real life cricketers whereas other movies have actors turned cricketers.
click for larger view
The movie moves around Vijay Shekhawat played by Harman Baweja, who hails from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. No sooner he turns India's world-class batting sensation than he descends to the bottom and is thrown out of the Indian cricket team! Before he realizes his mistake, his father played by Anupam Kher suffers a paralytic attack. This does pain him and shakes his conscience. He makes it up by playing in the finals of the Champion's Trophy against Australia and wins the Trophy for India. Interestingly, he manages his way into the team through Team India's coach. Meanwhile, he falls a prey to Gulshan Grover who transforms him into a commercial wizard!
click for larger view
The USP of the movie is that the actor-cricketer plays along with top real cricketers from within India and outside. Besides, the hero in Harman learns cricket lessons for several months from cricket players to provide a true picture of the game to the audience, especially cricket fans. This may justify the producer Ajitpal Mangat's heavy expenditure on cricketers like Bret Lee, Mike Hussey, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Jayasurya, Ajantha Mendis, Harbhajan Singh, Rohit Sharma and R P Singh. As a result, Harman single-handedly beats them all -- Australia, South Africa, England, Pakistan, in the movie.
click for larger view
While analyzing it critically we find the movie an average one. Though it is quite slow and boring in the beginning, but it strengthens later to shake up the audience in their chairs. By this time, Harman also gains confidence, and performs much better. Amrita Rao fares very well. Anupam Kher plays the father's role too well. Gulshan Grover is as effective as most often. Anu Malik's music is not very good though songs like Balla Utha and Money Money are good. Ajitpal Mangat succeeds as debut director, but fails in his screenplay. Cinematography is excellent though.
