As I watched Jersey, I wondered if OTT platforms had rendered the frame-to-frame remake obsolete. In 2019, writer-director Gowtam Tinnanuri made Jersey, a rousing saga about a failing, frustrated Ranji cricket player who makes a comeback at the age of 36. The story moves back and forth from 1985-86 to a decade later and we see two distinct versions of Arjun - the brash, flamboyant cricketer whose signature move is stretching his hand out with the bat and rotating his shoulder. And the defeated, aimless, washout who has been suspended from his government job. The star athlete now dulls his anguish with cigarettes and the company of deadbeat friends.
Nani, who plays Arjun in the Telugu film, is superb. He nails the spectacular highs and abject lows of Arjun's life. Jersey is a three-hankie weeper with child artist Ronit Kamra, who plays Arjun's seven-year-old son, dialling up the emotions with his dimpled smile and innocence. He reminded me of Jugal Hansraj in Masoom - his face is enough to make you want to hug and protect him. Jersey won two National Awards - one for best editing and one for best film in Telugu.
Read the full review in Film Companion.
Nani, who plays Arjun in the Telugu film, is superb. He nails the spectacular highs and abject lows of Arjun's life. Jersey is a three-hankie weeper with child artist Ronit Kamra, who plays Arjun's seven-year-old son, dialling up the emotions with his dimpled smile and innocence. He reminded me of Jugal Hansraj in Masoom - his face is enough to make you want to hug and protect him. Jersey won two National Awards - one for best editing and one for best film in Telugu.
Read the full review in Film Companion.