review - Pan Singh Tomar

Just before the credits roll, at the end of “Pan Singh Tomar”, the film offers a dedication, to all the unsung sports heroes of India – names of sporting heroes, who died, due to lack of medical attention, or were penniless & even a pathetic instance, when a bankrupt sportsman, who had won a gold medal for India, had to sell the same medal to survive! It is that quiet, stark moment, when you experience a deep sense of discomfort & yes, even shame, that this is one area where India, most certainly does not shine!
Paan Singh Tomar is based on the true story of an athlete, Paan Singh Tomar, employed by the Indian Army, who won a gold medal at the Indian National Games, but was forced by circumstances, to become a notorious bandit!

Apparently, the director, Tigmanshu Dhulia, who was an assistant director for the much acclaimed ‘Bandit Queen’, came across the story of Pan Singh, while doing research for the Shekar Kapur masterpiece & decided that this kahani needed to be told on the big screen some day.

Dhulia must have counted his blessings that he was in the industry at the right time & place : when Irrfan Khan was around, because doston, there’s no way anyone else could have played Pan Singh, apart from Pan Singh himself!
Irrfan Khan breathes life, vitality, intensity & that something more into his interpretation of Pan Singh – the first half is a happy breeze, when Pan Singh Tomar joins the army, shows an unbelievable ability & skill as an athelete & decides to switch to the sports division of the army – Why??? Not because of his passion for running, but simply because he loves to eat and sportsmen in the army get unlimited food! Cute, simple & uncomplicated!
As the outspoken, fiery, irreverent army athlete, Irrfan shines! His relationship with his coach, his love for his mother and family, his moments of glory on the international arena … endearing & entertaining!
In stark contrast, it is the second half which makes you realize that there are no happy endings here. Pan Singh returns to his village to realize that his dacoit cousin has taken over his land and betrayed the khandan. Frustrated by the corrupt system’s indifference to justice, circumstances force him to become a dacoit, with a band of merry men – if bandits can be called that!
So badla is taken & Pan Singh Tomar, ex army subedar, becomes a celebrity daku – he rues the irony of the fact that all the awards he won for his country as an athlete went unnoticed & unsung, but the moment there’s a reward on his head, he wins instant stardom!
There are moments when you wonder if Irrfan Khan & his performance are larger than the film itself. The journey from the village to the army & from there to PST becoming a dacoit does strike you as being a trifle easy; Maybe hte director is guilty of romanticising the tale, but then, kudos to him, for bringing this story, which definitely needed to be told, to life & for such spot on casting!
Sadly, this film may go unrecognized &unappreciated in the Indian awards circuit & yes, 2012 abhi baaki hai mere dost, for more movie magic, but Pan Singh Tomar, will remain a special movie & Irrfan Khan deserves a standing ovation!
Must see!!!