Jersey

<p>26-year-old Arjun Talwar is an extraordinary cricketer from with the highest batting average in all of and 106 half-centuries, fifty-two centuries, nine double centuries and two triple centuries to his name. Following the 1985-86 finals, Arjun awaits news of his selection in the , only to find out his inclusion in the list was a misprint. Following this, he quits cricket. Arjun then applies for a job in the food sector and shortly after marries his girlfriend Vidya, with whom he has a son named Ketan, nicknamed Kittu. However, sometime in the early 1990s, Arjun is suspended from his job on corruption charges, although he is innocent. In 1996, Arjun lives with Vidya and Kittu in a dilapidated house in Chandigarh, with Vidya struggling to make ends meet as a hotel receptionist. Kittu loves playing cricket, much like Arjun did, and wishes to get a jersey of the Indian national team for his upcoming birthday. Arjun tries getting one, but finds out it is very expensive; he then tries to loan the Jersey in vain and Vidya refuses to lend him money for the same. His friends try pooling funds for the jersey, but fall very short of the budget. Arjun’s former coach Baali Sir approaches him to inform him of an upcoming charity match between and , with players’ fees included. Arjun’s friend lies that Arjun has agreed to play, forcing Arjun to practice for the match late at night. The next day, the New Zealand team bats impressively and sets a high target for Punjab. At first, Punjab seems to be losing the match, with very few runs and wickets falling quick. Arjun is sent onto the pitch, hitting fours and sixes with ease. Although the Punjab team eventually loses the match by one run, Arjun is praised by many, especially Kittu, for his exceptional batting. However, he is dismayed to find out that players’ fees are going to charity as well. Arjun, ashamed that he was unable to get his son a jersey, tells Baali Sir that he wants to get back up playing cricket. Officials are skeptical about Arjun, a 36-year-old, playing cricket, thinking he will not do well and will quit again in a year or two. However, they then see him play during practice, amazed by how he is able to score easily. Selections for the upcoming are underway, with only 15 out of 30 of the trainees being selected. The results come in, and Arjun is ecstatic after finding out that his name in the list. The first few matches go well, with Arjun making centuries effortlessly and simultaneously earning his teammates’ respect and teaching them some of his techniques. Meanwhile, Arjun’s time on the field takes a toll on him, resulting in him having to go to the hospital for some tests. Although it is said he may not be able to play in the finals, Arjun nevertheless appears for the match against Karnataka at the . In the second half of the match, he is pitted against Gowda, a bowler from the Karnataka team who has effortlessly taken wickets of batsmen who had played prior in the match. Gowda proves to be a challenge to Arjun, who however manages to get to a century. Gowda tries many tricks to take Arjun’s wicket. However, this does not deter Arjun from scoring. In the final over, the team barely manages to score runs due to the opposition’s strong bowling and Arjun being on the non-striker end. On the final ball, Arjun needing three runs to win, attempts to hit a sixer. Despite risking being run out, Arjun manages to make the required runs for his team to win the match and the trophy. In 2022, Jasleen Shergill, a journalist who supported Arjun during his comeback, writes a biography about him titled . At a function relating to the book, it is revealed that recently, a list of players selected for the Indian national team headed to England was found, with Arjun’s name included in it. A grown-up Ketan is then called upon stage to receive a jersey with Arjun’s name on it, thus fulfilling his childhood dream of getting a jersey. Ketan reveals that shortly after the Ranji finals, Arjun had to be admitted to the hospital, succumbing to caused by , something Arjun chose to keep a secret and the reason why he quit cricket. Ketan then ends his speech by stating that while people believed his father lost his life while trying, it was the opposite; even during hardships, Arjun never backed down till the very end. Speculations for a remake of the Telugu film (2019) began soon after its release. Later it was reported that has been roped in to star as the lead actor while was considered for the female lead. In August 2019, actress was considered to play the female lead in this film and it will be her Hindi debut film. Official announcement was made on 14 October that year, confirming all the cast and crew. But later Mrunal Thakur was finalised to cast in the movie Shahid’s father was roped in to portray Coach Murthy. The commenced on 14 December 2019 in . While filming in January 2020, it was reported that Shahid Kapoor received thirteen stitches during a scene, though he later recovered. The filming was halted in March 2020 due to the . The filming was resumed in October 2020, production moved to and filming took place at the all-boys’ boarding school, , and Kasiga School. Doon’s cricket grounds, buildings and pavilion feature in the film and the trailer. The final schedule of the film took place at the Mohali Stadium in Punjab, and strict bio bubbles and quarantine rules were put in place for the safety of cast and crew. The filming on 14 December 2020. The film’s songs are composed by while the lyrics are written by . The film score is composed by who composed the score and soundtrack for the original Telugu version. The film version of ‘Jind Meriye’ is sung by . ‘Maiyya Mainu’ second version was sung by Sakshi Holkar. was released on 22 April 2022. The film was initially scheduled to be theatrically released on 28 August 2020 and then on 5 November 2021, before the delayed production. It was later on again finalised for cinema release on 31 December 2021, but got indefinitely postponed due to the spread. Release date was revised later as 14 April 2022, but it was pushed by a week to avoid clash with and . The film premiered on on 20 May 2022. The film was distributed in India by and while overseas distribution was done by and Phars Film Co. earned 3.75 crore at the domestic box office on its opening day. On the second day, the film collected 5.50 crore. On the third day, the film collected 5.50 crore, taking total domestic weekend collection to 14.75 crore. As of 7 May 2022 , the film grossed crore in India and crore overseas, for a worldwide gross collection of crore. performed poorly at the box office despite positive reception from critics. Ganesh Aaglave of attributed to the film’s failure to the box office clash with , a recent overdose of remakes of South Indian films, availability of the Hindi dubbed version of the on for free, and average music compared to Shahid Kapoor’s previous remake film (2019). received positive reviews with critics lauding the intent of the film and Shahid’s performance. On the website , 50% of 10 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.5/10. Pankaj Shukla of gave the film a rating of 4/5. A reviewer from gave the film a rating of 3.5/5. Archika Khurana of gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and wrote, “This film leans more on emotional drama, while it could have struck a finer balance between the sports and the human drama.” Himesh Mankad of gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and wrote, “Jersey is a well-intentioned sport drama, which much like the original, has heart at its right place. It rides on superlative performance by Shahid Kapoor, who rises to roar and revolt as a cricketer.” Devansh Sharma of gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and wrote, “Jersey makes us find great comfort in familiarity. It’s honest, but could have also been innovative and intricate.” of gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and wrote, “Jersey is a sweet little drama that hits a home run on the strength of its heart and hero.” A reviewer of gave the film a rating of 3/5 and wrote, “While Shahid Kapoor Jersey scores with its performance and touching finale, the slow pace and opposition from KGF 2 will limit its box office prospects.” Bharathi Pradhan of gave the film a rating of 3/5 and wrote, “Shahid Kapoor looks and enacts his part as cricketer, lover and father with impressive credibility.” Tushar Joshi of gave the film a rating of 3/5 and wrote, “Jersey is a solid effort by Shahid Kapoor and it once again proves his mettle as an actor.” of gave the film a rating of 2.5/5 and wrote, “Shahid Kapoor-Mrunal Thakur-starrer film, an official remake of the 2019 Telugu hit of the same name and by the same director, has all the elements of an inspirational sports drama.” of gave the film a rating of 2.5/5 and wrote, “On the acting front, Shahid is the Man of the Match. The team effort behind him is strengthened by the performances from Mrunal Thakur and Ronit Kamra, a confident child actor.” Monika Rawal Kukreja of stated, “Shahid Kapoor delivers one of his best performances. However, the film’s length works against it.” Anuj Kumar of stated, “Despite heartwarming moments, ‘Jersey’ suffers from logical loopholes and a sense of deja vu.”</p>