Dec. 11, 2020|India|132 Min.|TV-MA
Genre: Bollywood;Drama
Description: The film *Torbaaz* is set in an Afghan refugee camp, where a former army doctor aims to bring happiness to children through the game of cricket, only to discover that the stakes involved go far beyond the sport.
Dr. Naseer Khan, played by Sanjay Dutt, returns to Afghanistan five years after losing his loved ones in a devastating terror attack. It is during his time at a refugee camp that he encounters a group of children, reigniting his passion for life. Inspired to make a difference, he dedicates himself to mentoring these children and nurturing their cricketing talents.
The story begins with Dr. Khan at Delhi airport, poised to fly to Afghanistan. However, overcome by the trauma of his past, he lies to the ground staff, claiming to have lost his boarding pass, while the torn piece of paper lies beside him. This moment highlights his fear and the haunting memories tied to the place where his wife and son were tragically killed by a suicide bomber. Despite this pain, he visits a refugee camp to help children burdened by misfortune and despair, using cricket as a means to transform their lives.
The film revolves around themes of communal discord and terror, with cricket serving as a unifying force. Yet, the execution falls short. The cinematography by Hiroo Keswani fails to evoke the emotional intensity required, while the set design by Martand Mishra lacks authenticity for a war-torn setting. Dr. Khan’s emotional journey feels disconnected, and a deeper exploration of his life before the tragedy could have added much-needed depth.
Director Girish Malik attempts to portray resilience and community in the face of adversity, but the supporting characters lack development and fail to contribute meaningfully to the narrative. Additionally, the film resorts to overused patriotic themes, which are insufficient to elevate a story that needed a more profound transformation beyond mere creative adjustments.
Cast director: Girish Malik
Cast actor: Sanjay Dutt, Rahul Dev, Nargis Fakhri, Gavie Chahal
Original name: तोरबाज़