83 is certainly one of the best films of the year in terms of cinematic experience. This is one you don't want to miss, according to our movie review.

In a country where cricket is regarded as a religion, a mainstream Bollywood film chronicling the 1983 World Cup victory is more than a pipe dream. Kabir Khan's 83 is a huge risk, not only for the filmmaker but also for the lead actor, Ranveer Singh, who plays the living icon Kapil Dev. Has Kabir been successful in realizing his vision? Is Ranveer Singh capable of portraying Kapil Dev without turning him into a caricature? Let's have a look.

In terms of plot, 83 requires no introduction. It is a documentary about the Indian cricket team's win in the 1983 World Cup. While the grand final outcomes are recorded in history books, it is the hidden jewels and personal anecdotes from the lives of the team members that make the video entertaining and worth discussing. The film 83 has a large ensemble cast portraying the complete team that competed in the 1983 World Cup final versus the West Indies, a day that will go down in cricketing history. As captain, Ranveer is in charge of the team.

He has a lot of help from the rest of the cast, who have all given outstanding performances. They all have significant roles to perform, which come together wonderfully in the end. Every scene provides insight and gives a glimpse at what went through their heads as they faced every fear and dodged every ball on the field, whether it's Kapil's joking with his coach, PR Man Singh, played by Pankaj Tripathi, or his tense moments with Sunil Gavaskar (Tahir Raj Bhasin).

Kabir imbues each player with heart, making him stand out in a crowded field. Who'd have guessed that Krishnamachari Srikkanth (Jiiva) had a sense of humor when you least expect it? Or the personal loss of Balwinder Sandhu (Ammy Virk) before the major match. These are the moments that make 83 so interesting to watch. Even though you know the ending and the conclusion, you can't help but celebrate every boundary and six the Indian team scores. There is no language in a scene between Kapil Dev and Mohinder Amarnath (Saqib Saleem), only an exchange of looks - a glance - in which the two performers convey emotions and sensations that words might not be able to convey. That is also the strength of the film's razor-sharp screenplay.

 

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However, it isn't all fun and games. There are some personal moments in the film that were likely never documented. Kabir's discipline and skill as a director keep a tense exchange of words between Kapil and Gavaskar from becoming a gimmick. Pankaj Tripathi has some of the best lines in the movie, and he goes all out to make sure they get laughs. Ranveer Singh, the team's captain, gives a performance that exposes a side of him that we haven't seen in a long time. It's a dangerous incline to take on the role of a living icon who is so revered and admired. Ranveer, on the other hand, strides confidently through it. The parts where he talks in terrible English, in particular, may have felt out of sync and lifeless, but Ranveer delivers and doesn't stray from his role even for a second. 83 is one of his best performances because of his ability to demonstrate restraint when necessary and go all-out when the situation calls for it. Deepika Padukone, who portrays his wife Romi, gives an excellent performance. She is his rock, and seeing Ranveer and Deepika on screen after such a long time reminds us of their incredible chemistry. There are a few glitches in 83. The two-hour-40-minute timeframe is one thing, but Kabir's preoccupation with protracted crowd response shots in practically every match the team plays is another. Instead of focusing just on Kapil Dev, more cameos would have been a welcome addition to the picture. 83 will transport you to another world as a cinematic experience. It's a film that does more than make your heart swell with pride as real-life sights and situations from the match pass before your eyes. Remember to bring your mask to the theatres, but don't forget to bring a box of tissues. In what is readily regarded as one of the best pictures of the year, tears of joy and pride flow ceaselessly. This is one you don't want to miss!