Sports have become an inevitable part of the world’s community. Sports fans go to the stadiums or bars to watch the matches and support their favorite team. However, the sports industry does not limit to important games and tournaments. It also spreads to the culture. Here you will find a review of the top three cricket movies that are highly appreciated by both cricket fans and film connoisseurs.
1. Awwal Number
The first cricket movie that pops up when related to cricket is definitely Awwal Number. With a rating of 5.4 according to the IMBD website, as well as Stumped.App, it has already become a cricket movie classic. It was also reviewed by numerous cricket portals.
Awwal Number is an Indian sports film in the genre of action thriller that was released in 1990. It was directed by a famous actor, writer, and producer Dev Anand. Although the movie was released in Hindi, it was quickly translated for the cricket fans from the rest of the world.
The main characters of Awwal Number are two cricketers Sunny and Ronny portrayed by Aamir Khan and Aditya Pancholi. Dev Anand, the director, also played one of the main characters, Vicky. The music for the movie was composed by Bappi Lahiri.
As for the plot of the film, it is very complex with several storylines developing simultaneously. First of all, the main focus is on the conflict between Sunny and Ronny, two skilled cricketers. The former replaced the latter in the team which was the beginning of the feud. Ronny seels revenge and desires to kill Sunny. The second storyline has to do with the genre of Awwal Number: action thriller. Vicky, portrayed by Anand, discovers that terrorists want to set up a bomb during the match between Australia and India and kill 50,000 people. He decided to stop them at all costs. In this perspective, Awwal Number is a classic sports movie that is a must-see.
2. Iqbal
The next famous cricket movie that won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of people is called Iqbal. It was released in 2005. Iqbal was directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. This movie got very positive reviews. For example, it has a rating of 8.1 on the IMDB website.
The main character of the film, a teenage boy Iqbal portrayed by Shreyas Talpade dreams of becoming a successful cricketer and joining the Indian national cricket team. However, these dreams may never come true because he is mute and deaf. The genre of the film is ‘coming-of-age sports drama’. The director excellently shows all the obstacles young dreamer has to overcome to become a cricketer. He has to compete with rich boys and overcome failures.
However, Iqbal stays strong and never loses his focus. He proves everyone who said that he could never be a professional bowler wrong. The movie also displays several storylines. For example, the relationship between Iqbal and his father who does not support him is essential in the movie. This line contrasts with the relationship between the boy and his coach that believes in him and helps every step of the way. The movie ends with Iqbal making his international debut.
Considering that Iqbal has a strong social motive as a storyline, it received National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. It serves as a good example for the younger generation: everything is possible if you stay focused and never give up on your dream.
3. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
The last famous movie about cricket on our list that has a strong dramatic storyline is Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India. It is a Hindi film that was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and released in 2001. The main characters of the film were played by such actors as Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, and Rachel Shelley.
The action takes place in a small Indian town where residents are forced to pay huge taxes. However, the main character, Bhuvan, agrees to have a bet with the commanding officer Russel. He agrees to let village people not pay taxes if their cricket team can win against the British Officers team. After that Bhuvan begins to gather the team and train the man. Although he faces resistance from the residents, he manages to form a team. The matters got even more complicated when Bhuvan realizes that Russell’s sister fell in love with him.
At the end of the day, all the efforts of this courageous man pay off: despite a tense match, the village residents manage to beat the office’s team. Despite the bet, the game leads to the disbandment of the cantonment, and Bhuvan is forced to pay taxes for the whole province.
The film shows that dedication and focus can help through any life situation. This movie was highly appreciated by the public as it has both an entertaining sports side and a complex dramatic plot.
