800 is one of the big releases this week as it is the biopic of Muttiah Muralidharan, the legendary cricketer of Sri Lanka. The film was released today and read our review in detail.

Story:

800 delves into the life story of Sri Lankan cricketing legend, Muttiah Muralidharan. The film traces his journey from childhood, portraying the arduous battles he fought both on and off the cricket field in his relentless pursuit to establish himself as a cricketing legend. The film shows how he went through protests, trolls, and insults and became the man he is.

Performances:

Madhur Mittal's portrayal of Murali is commendable, capturing not only his body language but also skillfully imitating Murali's bowling action. Madhur shines particularly in the second half, where the narrative revolves around him. The young actor does so well in emotional scenes when he retires. Nasser delivered a strong performance in a key role, as expected. The actor playing Arjuna Ranatunga also impresses, while the rest of the cast is new and one gets a feeling some popular names should have been roped in to play these roles.

Anlysis:

800 primarily centers on Murali's hardships and his triumphant emergence from adversity. The film sensitively portrays how foreign media subjected him to scrutiny and criticism, highlighting Murali's resilient response. The film unfolds the life story of Muralidharan, providing an engaging portrayal of his journey from childhood. The film effectively sheds light on the challenges faced by Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

The second half intensifies the narrative, vividly illustrating Murali's challenges as a Tamil individual in Sri Lanka. One minor shortcoming is the lack of heightened dramatic moments. The film boasts impressive production values, offering a visually appealing backdrop. While the cricket matches could have been presented more realistically, the editing, especially in the second half, could have benefited from tighter cuts.

Murali's struggles across various facets of life are portrayed with emotional depth. The Telugu dubbing is flawless, and the VFX work is well-executed. However, the film's pacing feels sluggish due to the extensive focus on Murali's childhood. When it comes to showcasing the pivotal events in Murali's life, the second half appears somewhat rushed. In essence, 800 paints a vivid picture of the tribulations Murali endured on his path to becoming an iconic player.

Verdict:

On the whole, 800 is a rich tribute to cricket legend Muralidharan. The film shows the hardships he faced in a detailed manner. The narration is simple and if there would have been some high moments and mass cricketing moments, the output would have been even better. But still, the film makes for a decent watch.