Saina review: An adequate watch with its fair share of kicks

3/5

Amole Gupte has given the Indian film industry a few gems that will be cherished for a long time - Stanley Ka Dabba and Taare Zameen Par are still fresh in the minds of audiences. But can we say the same about Saina?

Parineeti Chopra plays the young badminton champion in this sports film that starts as most sports films do - with a monologue by the protagonist which sets the tone for the movie. With Saina, it becomes clear that the audience is going to be signing up for the journey of a sportswoman who lives and breathes badminton.

The film opens with Saina’s victory at the 2018 Commonwealth games and mutates into a flashback, tracing her journey into the world of sports. Her mother Usha Rani, commendably portrayed by Meghna Malik, accurately depicts the commonly found sports movie trope of a parent who is vicariously achieving her own dream through her daughter’s success. The result? Saina is propelled into the world of badminton, armed to be the best.

Gupte has successfully kept the story simple, focusing on Saina rejecting traditional gender roles and finding her strength in a sport her mother too excelled in. But maybe, the story is too simple - the narrative fails to impart the thrill of Saina’s wins and the pace of the film progresses at lightning speed.

The main struggle of the titular character’s life begins post interval, when she takes on a new trainer called Sarvadhamaan Rajan (Manav Kaul). Rajan is a disciplinarian who transforms the way Saina trains. Not all of these changes are well received though, and friction starts to build between the two.

Saina can easily be categorised as any other sports film. It does have its own inspirational moments and the audience might cheer for a few of the player’s wins. But ultimately, the film misses the mark in providing a tale that leaves a lasting impression. Chopra’s embodiment of Saina is admirable and some of Kaul’s dialogues will resonate. When all is said and done, Saina pales in comparison to the surfeit of incredible sports movies that Indian audiences have already seen.

If you find yourself looking for a film that has its moments, pick Saina on Amazon Prime Video. You won’t be disappointed, but you won’t entirely be engrossed either.