Goal

Medium : Hindi
Stars : John Abraham, Arshad Warsi, Bipasha Basu, Bomman Irani
Direction : Vivek Agnihotri

The super success of 'Chakde India' has motivated another director,Vivek Agnihotri and the big producers UTV Pictures to come with a film,'Goal' which has got a theme dealing with sports.
Apart from the former film which was based on the Indian hockey team, this film tells the story of football team based in Britain.


Here the coach role is handled by Bomman Irani.( I felt that Bomman Irani is the biggest discovery as far as bollywood is considered in the last 10years )
This film titled 'DhanDhanathan Goal' is entirely picturised in London.


The film opens with the demise of a coach of a South Hall team.The captain (Arshad Warsi) searches for a new coach and finally ends in the discovery of a veteran player/coach(Bomman Irani).He finally decides to make this team a champion,which has not won a big tournament in the past.At the same time,you got an Indian( who is born in Britain) in their main rivals Arston team(played by John Abraham).Due to the racism,he failed to get selection in the final list.So as per request from the coach,he joins the South Hall team.This is not liked by their captain and most team-mates.Any way finally after beating all hazards how this team wins the tournament is what this film deals with.


Hearing the story line,you will be feeling some comparisons with 'Chakde India'.Yes it is,but 'Goal' cannot be compared with 'Chakde India',which has got the best script & direction.You will get thrilled and have a spirit watching the sports scenes in 'Chakde India' and 'Lagaan'.But in that sense 'Goal' is a total failure.


This is for the first time, I felt something negative for Bomman Irani. He is a wrong choice for the coach role.The captain role played by Arshad Warsi is not pleasing.Bipasha Basu in the role of a physiotherapist has not got anything big to do.Quarelling between the team members is dramatic.

John Abraham's body language is good for such a role,especially some of the actions/signs he shows resembles the style of English league players.

The item song placed in the movie is unnecassary.The commentory scenes lacks originality.I dont know why an english-hindi combination is used there.

We dont feel any sympathy or we dont pray for the players in the South Hall team,like we did with players in 'Lagaan' or 'Chakde India'.The football matches are shown colorfully,but the matches & the championship winning scenes are not presented in a lovable and believable way.


The director Vivek Agnihotri who showed technical brilliance through his previous film 'Choclate' has failed to sustain his name here.Cinematography by Attar Singh Saini is excellent.


'Goal' is like a practise match only.The real spirit in watching a professional football match is not at all there.

Rating : 2.5 / 5