Saina Movie Review and Official Trailer

Saina Movie Review and Official Trailer

Does badminton mean more to Saina or is it the other way around?

The movie ‘Saina’ doesn’t ask this question directly but throws it as a soft serve. In one of the first scenes, when someone close to her is lying down in a hospital, Saina gets up to leave. His father tells him to stay and pray. She responds, “That’s what I’m going to do.” In a state of helplessness, he goes straight to the court and begins to break the shuttle. It is compared to ringing bells in a temple. Badminton is your only answer to all questions.

In the second half, when she joins a new academy after a fight with her coach, her new coach takes her to a “hall of mirrors.” A group of girls gathers around him; They are her fans and they want to emulate her. She can see herself in these little “mirrors”. Her coach then tells her that she is the most important thing that has happened to women’s badminton in India. Arguably true.

As for the question of who means the most to whom, the movie has no interest in answering that. He just wants to show that the two are inextricably linked.

Creators care most about the people who shape the champion. A fierce and ambitious mother, a gentle and understanding father, a disciplined coach, and an eternally supportive partner, they all work hard to turn a girl from Haryana into a world athlete.

But it’s the relationship between Saina and coach Rajan (inspired by Pullela Gopichand) that drives the show. Manav Kaul as a coach is the best part of the movie, closely followed by Meghna Malik as a mother.

Parineeti Chopra’s performance is as uneven as the size of the mole on her face. She is serious and nails the emotional tone, but she also slides in and out of Haryanvi’s tongue. In general, it is one of the best performances of the actor.

For sports enthusiasts, however, there is little to do. The only combat developed is the one in which Saina defeats Carla Martínez (Carolina Marín) to become number one in the world. The movie doesn’t focus on strategies tailored to each opponent, or how Saina changed her game throughout her career. The badminton scenes are quite staged; close-ups and quick cuts mask Parineeti’s incomprehensible ineptitude. There’s also the typical Bollywood motivational music trope that accompanies an energetic comeback.

The only match scenes that feel raw and authentic are the ones featuring young Saina. The child actor who plays her is apparently a true tramp, and it shows. What also works is director Amole Gupte’s proven track record of bringing out the best in child actors (‘Taare Zameen Par’, ‘Stanley ka Dabba’).

One fortunate advantage is the lack of fans waving flags; it’s quite refreshing to see creators avoid ripe fruit.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, PV Sindhu is not mentioned. There had been speculation as to whether their supposed rivalry would make it into the movie, but perhaps the creators wanted to steer clear of such thorny topics. Maybe a movie about Sindhu could clear things up.

Also, it is difficult to make a biopic about an active athlete. There are more stories to tell. Saina is only 31 years old and may last a few more years. And this gives it a brusque end.

Saina: Official Trailer | Parineeti Chopra | Bhushan Kumar

The film is a highlight of Saina’s career, but it is selective where to stop and expand. The one point that makes it pretty clear is that regardless of the newer, perhaps better ferries on the circuit, Saina Nehwal is the original superstar of the game in India.

Movie: Saina

Director: Amole Gupte

Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Manav Kaul, Meghna Malik, and others

Rating: 2.5 / 5