Recently released sports drama
Maidaan by Ajay Devgn is based on the biography of Syed Abdul Rahim, who managed and coached the Indian national team's football team from 1950 to 1963. Amit Ravindernath Sharma is directing the sports biography, which stars Ajay Devgn and Priyamani and Gajraj Rao. Rahim was portrayed by Devgn, and many people have applauded his work. Internet users have been praising the film since its premiere. Maidaan has received accolades for its plot, cast of characters, and acting.
Boney Kapoor and Zed Studios produced Maidaan, which had a partial release on 10 April and an Eid theatrical release on 11 April. The movie has not made much money at the box office, despite receiving good reviews and a fantastic plot. Industry insiders anticipate a significant increase over the weekend, though. Syed Abdul Rahim led the Indian football team to victory at the Asian Games with a gold medal. Maidaan is a tale of tenacity, fortitude, strength, and an unflinching will to triumph in the face of overwhelming adversity.
During the 1952 Olympic football match between India and Yugoslavia, coach Syed Abdul Rahim addressed several critical issues impacting the team's performance. He pointed out the absence of proper football footwear, which hindered the players' performance on the field. Also, Rahim highlighted the discrepancy in match duration between domestic tournaments and Olympic matches, emphasizing the need for better stamina management. Another concern he raised was the overrepresentation of players from West Bengal in the national team, advocating for a more diverse player selection process. Moreover, Rahim emphasized the importance of scouting talent from across India and rotating players to ensure that newer talents were not overlooked due to stagnation within the squad.
In Secunderabad, coach Rahim discovers Tulsidas Balram, a talented but stamina-lacking football player, and recruits him for the Indian team. He then scouts PK Banerjee from West Bengal. Over four years, Rahim builds a strong team from players across India. The team achieves fourth place in the 1956 Summer Olympics. In the 1960 Olympics, India draws against France, showcasing their improved performance and gaining recognition.
During a federation meeting, Coach Rahim faces accusations orchestrated by Shubhankar Sen and journalist Roy Chaudhary, leading to his dismissal despite his attempts to reason with them. Rahim is later diagnosed with cancer, prompting him to focus on spending time with his family. However, his wife Saira encourages him to pursue their shared dream of seeing India win a gold medal, urging him to return to coaching the Indian team for one last attempt.
Moving ahead to 1962, Maidaan depicts the Indian team preparing for the upcoming Olympic match in Jakarta. However, the government withdraws funding, revealing Roy's manipulation to insult Rahim. Determined, Rahim meets with Morarji Desai, the finance minister, to secure funding for the team. Just before the match, the Indian team faces a setback when Peter Thangaraj, the goalkeeper, injures his foot. Despite the challenges, the team perseveres and reaches the finals against South Korea, ultimately clinching gold at the Asian Games. The film concludes with the historic moment of the Indian flag being raised on foreign soil.
In the film,
Ajay Devgn portrays Syed Abdul Rahim, an innovative football coach in India from 1952 to 1962.
