Panga

Amazing film with only a few underwhelming aspects.

Everyone has a dream in life. Few get to achieve in their first shot but for few, dreams are postponed, forgotten or even shattered as the life gets heavy. We forget to dream due to hectic schedule and responsibilities. Panga is a simple story well told with a strong message embedded deep within.

Panga tells the story of ex-Kabbadi player Jaya Nigam (Kangana Ranaut) who is happily settled in life as she takes the responsibility of a dutiful mother and a caring wife. However, deep down she is always reminded of pursuing her passion and finally gets the chance to crack her place into Indian Kabbadi team.

Directed by Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, who previously helmed the inspiring Nil Battey Sannata and romantic-comedy, Bareily Ki Barfi, collaborates with her husband, Nitesh Tiwari, who wrote the additional screenplay and dialogues. The result is fruitful as right from the beginning of the film, you will be completely engrossed into the beautiful tale of mother and her struggle to keep her dreams alive. Blended with sarcasm and light moments, the film is a powerful drama which will help you sail it through 2 hours 11 minutes without getting bored. Told in a subtle manner, it is the simplicity of narration which is the highlight of the film and you will cherish each and every frame. There are no glossy sets, colorful costumes over-the-tone melodrama yet the film is entertaining and will keep you glued throughout.

While Panga scores brownie points in few parts, it does suffer from the screenplay which could have tighter in few places. Panga being a sports drama, lacks the spirit and energy which should pump up your adrenaline rush. The transformation of Kangana Ranaut into a sports athlete, her practice sessions and ever her trial matches are completely cold. The only saving grace was the engaging climax match which again could have been classic (remember last scene of Dangal that brought down the house). I felt the background was light while none of songs were inspiring, considering it being sports film. Ashwin Iyer Tiwari does get the right elements but partially succeeds in executing them. Writing from the team of Bhoothnath Returns, Dangal and Chhichhore (Nitesh Tiwari and Nikhil Mehrorta) was good but could have been made into a well-scripted film. Technically, cinematography and art direction were just about okay while editing was fine.

Nevertheless, Panga rides on the shoulder of one of the best actresses of our time - Kangana Ranaut. Same time last year, she lived the character of Manikarnika-The Queen Of Jhansi. A year later, we see her as a mother who gets the second chance to live her dream. The extremely talented gets into skin of Jaya Nigam with aplomb and you will forget about Kangana Ranaut for few minutes. Jassi Gill does well as a supporting husband while the child actor was pretty good. I liked Neena Gupta and Richa Chaddha, though they could have better character defined for their roles.

Overall, Panga is a feel-good cinema with a strong and captivating message. Good 3/5

• Ketan Gupta

'I am a mother and the mother has no dreams.' Directed by Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, this dialogue of 'Panga' will find every woman who has forgotten her dreams for her family and children and has lost her identity.

The story is fantastic and you love it. Kangana has played the character of Jaya Nigam as Effortless and Flawless. Whether it is his dress or body language, every aspect makes his character memorable. Instead of doing melodrama in the emotional scenes, Kangana has made him live with the twinge that your eyes cannot remain moist. He has lived both aspects of housewife and kabaddi player.

Richa Chadha's acting acts as a relief in the film. His dialogue and body language are spoken in Bihari Accent entertain immensely. The chemistry between the scenes between him and Kangana is seen. Jassie Gill has a smooth acting role as a supportive husband. His pairing with Kangana looks good.

Despite limited scenes, Neena Gupta leaves her mark. Child artist Yagna Bhasin has proved to be the attraction of the film. They captivate everyone with their innocent performances.

The quality of Ashwini Iyer Tiwari as a director is that the nuances with which she portrayed the working woman of a small town like Bhopal and her middle-class family on the screen add strength to the story.

The film reiterates the idea that it is never quite too late to start chasing your dream -- which gives it instant winnability. Don't miss this film, it will give you the courage to revive your dreams.

The movie bring positivity and work towards a a social issue and thinking, hence making it 10.

Didn't get bored in all 2 hour(s).

When I saw Panga's trailer - I was not impressed much. I found it to be a routine movie. But after the good reviews and rating from everywhere, I decided to go and see it. I love Kangana Ranaut. She is unusual, and brave. She has stood against the tide.

Panga is a story of a girl who was India Kabbadi's women's team captain, but left her sports career when she got pregnant. She devoted her life to her family - husband, son and her job - as a railway ticket counter clerk.

It was only after much ado - she was pushed by her son's desire to give a re-try to play kabbadi. That little effort to keep her son happy becomes a bigger desire to represent the Indian Kabbadi team again and play for India at International level.

The rest of the movie is about her and her family's struggle and support, the ups and downs of her journey to play for India again.

Does she succeed against all odds? She does.

Director and writer Ashwini Iyer Tiwari who was a working in advertising and who made Neel Batte Sannata earlier with Swara Bhaskar is in full form.

With a little bit of hesitation, but without taking credit away from her, it needs to be mentioned here that she is the wife of the Director Nitesh Tiwari who made Dangal and also has co-written the story, screenplay and dialogue of this movie. One cannot deny his role in her growth, but one cannot also take away any credit away from her as she is the honcho of this ship - Panga.

The movie presents the case of women's empowerment in a very subtle way - without much ado and fanfare or preachy lectures. The story and the everyday characters of the movie are woven with such ease that their response to each situation says a lot without a spoken words.

All credit to Kangana. She carries the film well on her shoulders. She stands like a giant - capturing the essence of the main protagonist Jaya Nigam. All the other actresses/ actors around her play best in their small yet well defined characters supporting the central character.

The winner of a movie is identified by the number of times it involuntarily makes our tears roll from our eyes. This movie touches the heart chords and makes us feel good within in the way the movie develops and grows from a slow-paced first half to the fast-forward of second-half and crescendo of an ending.

Special mention is given to Jessie Gill, who plays Kangana's soft and sweet and understanding husband. Richa Chaddha who plays Kangana's friend, Neena Gupta - Kangana's mother and Yagna Bhasin - Kangana' son have played their roles well.

The movie is a nice feel good movie that makes us go to the cinema halls.

I would go with 7.25 out of 10