Sachin - A Billion Dreams (2017) Poster

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8/10
If Cricket is a Religion then Sachin is God and Sachin A Billion Dreams is a Holy Book.
SAMTHEBESTEST26 May 2017
SACHIN A BILLION DREAMS REVIEW : I'm a die hard Fan of Sachin Tendulkar, sorry almost a Devotee and believe me i'm writing this review with tears in my eyes. As i am a 90's kid so obviously for me, Cricket means Sachin and Sachin means Cricket, i just can't explain how excited i was to watch my God's journey on Big Screen. I knew it is going to be emotional and i had prepared myself for that but still anyhow tears rolled down from eyes because Sachin is just not a Cricket Legend, he's is an Emotion and you can't resist it. Talking about a film, we have seen lots of Biopics in Bollywood but all films had some fictional writing to give it that Filmy touch but Sachin A Billion Dreams does not have any Fictional work. No Filmy Drama, no silly songs, no useless things, it's all about Sachin's Epic journey, from a Wild Naughty Middle Class child to Cricket's Biggest Legend Ever. Even this thought leaves you with Goosebumps, imagine watching it on Big Screen and hearing Sachinnn Sachinnn chants in a theater. If you're a Cricket and Sachin Fan like me then there are no surprises for you in a film, as we know everything about him. It is just that you are getting a chance to relive those Unforgettable moments on Big Screen. I don't know how Director managed to get those many rare footage of Sachin's life from 90's as there was less internet and less digitalisation that time, still it's a treat to watch those scenes. I don't think any Biopic in Bollywood has stick to the main hero from the first frame to the last, but Sachin The Film has broken the aspect of that typical melodrama filmmaking here. I don't need to explain anything about Sachin's Legacy, we all knows it and we all have different views on him. So if you're a Cricket and a Sachin Fan then missing this Film is like a Crime, and even if you're not a Fan still you have to watch this film and experience the journey of the Greatest ever Cricketer Unfold because Nowdays cricket is Different and for now days fans Sachin is No One, but after watching this film they will understand why Sachin is and will always remain the GOD OF CRICKET. For me Sachin A Billion Dreams is the Best Biopic ever made in Bollywood. Just go for it, and live the Magic of Sachinnn Sachinnn One last time. I'm going with 8/10* stars, 1*star extra for that Emotion called Sachin Tendulkar. A MUST WATCH !!!
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8/10
Sachin: A Billion Dreams celebrates the life of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar
binducherungath26 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Sachin: A Billion Dreams, a biographical documentary film by James Erskine, celebrates the life of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, his highs as well as lows, philosophy of life, value system, humility, assertiveness etc. mostly narrated in his own words. His very presence in the film makes it very special and real. It was like reliving those moments, which we have watched on television, along with the legend himself. This film shall not be reviewed keeping the box office numbers or commercial value attached to it, since the film is all about the number of centuries earned by Sachin on field, number of records created by him during his 24 years of professional cricketing career and how he and cricket became synonyms. This film certainly can't be compared to MS Dhoni or even Azhar since the format of this film is entirely different. Audience was not happy with the superficial touch given to Azhar whereas MS Dhoni became a huge hit commercially, people loved this film. Both the real and reel Dhoni were appreciated for an honest and entertaining treatment given to the film. And here is a documentary film on one of the greatest cricket player which our country and the world has seen- Sachin Tendulkar. It is about Sachin's life in his own words and also in words of people associated with him during his journey. The narratives by him and others add a lot of credibility to the whole film. Indeed his insurmountable achievements are very well documented, and it may appear as a replay on screen, but Sachin's narratives do let us know what was actually going on in his mind during every victory or loss. Another unique phenomenon which is used in the film is linking the journey of Sachin with India's positioning in the global map. Glimpses from India's partition days to India of today's date are shown interspersed with the film which talked about the transformation of India in parallel to Sachin's incredible journey. The title of the film is absolutely justified, since it is not only about Sachin but about India, all those billion dreams and expectations when Sachin stepped on to the field and how Sachin aligned his dreams with the Nation's dreams. So, for me, this is not a film, rather beyond that, depicting the very life of a living legend, a genius, who will always remain the pride of our country. If you are a cricket fan, you would certainly not like to miss this one.

It is adorable to watch the little Sachin as a very naughty child. One can hardly believe that there was this naughty side as well to Sachin. He had tremendous energy as a child, and his brother Ajit Tendulkar introduced him to the game of cricket when he got a cricket bat as gift from his sister. Ajit, who could see a spark in his brother, took Sachin to Ramakant Vithal Achrekar so as to get coaching from him. And Sachin's journey began at Shivaji Park. The film does talk of his strong bond with family members and friends. His father instilled a great value system in him to be a great human being first.

Family videos shown in the film did show lovely moments of his life with Anjali and kids Sara and Arjun. His wedding video, moments of Sara and Arjun's birth, he playing with kids, his time with friends etc. brings forth his personal side as well. Sacrifice by his family members, his wife all are also shown in the

While watching the film, I did experience his highs, lows, his pain of losing a match, his excitement after winning a match etc. It is also great to see certain aspects of his playing various roles in life other than a cricketer viz. that of a son, brother, father, husband and friend. I did get goosebumps with the thundering applause Sachin received every time he entered the ground to play, the kind of euphoria the very name Sachin created. His farewell speech of 2013 did move me.

It could be possible that people who are not cricket lovers might find the tone of the film to be very plain and not very entertaining.

Sachin's journey does reiterate the fact that one has to be committed, honest, consistent, persistent and hard working in life. Complacency is the enemy of excellence. Especially when one plays for the country, when huge expectations are there from the player, one certainly feels tremendous pressure to perform, at the same time, it is a great responsibility. Mistakes can't be afforded. And Sachin's life does go through lows, be it his non-performance during captaincy, his getting removed as Indian Cricket Team's captain overnight, match-fixing controversies of team members, people getting wild with the failures etc. Sachin believed in the value system instilled by his father that a player can't be bigger than the team, got back in form with much harder practice. Injuries and failures used to hurt him, but then he focused on his dream of holding the world cup in his hand. What an incredible 24 years of journey from 1989 to 2013.

Sachin: A Billion Dreams celebrates the life of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, his highs as well as lows, philosophy of life, value system, humility, assertiveness etc. Indeed his insurmountable achievements are very well documented, and it may appear as a replay on screen, but Sachin's narratives do let us know what was actually going on in his mind during every victory or loss. If you are a cricket fan, you would certainly not like to miss this one. Sachin is indeed not a name, it is an emotion. A tribute to the living legend.
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8/10
Wonderful watch .. pure nostalgia
raman_arora30 May 2017
'Sachin : A Billion Dreams'... wonderful movie ..

It was pleasure to watch memories and journey of legend on big screen...

Pure nostalgia as I remember watching most of his great innings live ...

good watch for every cricket (Tendulkar's ) fan....

There were scenes from Indian history which I felt were not needed ...

8/10
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10/10
Get Ready To Cheer One More Time 'Sachin Sachin'
adarshbohra6925 May 2017
This Is Not Just A Movie,It's a very emotional feeling, If You Are An Indian This Movie Will Make You Cry With Tears Of Joy.apart from the life history of Sachin, I believe it's a fantastic film for the pride of India.this film should be shown to every individual in the country, it should be shown in every school, not just because we are so proud of Sachin, but how proud he has made the country.Sachin always inspired me And This movie will now inspire billions. I am so glad this movie was made,Because It Made Me Feel Like My Childhood Is Back And I Relived That Journey Of 25 Years,Each time I would come back from school, the most important question that I would ask was, I hope Sachin isn't out. So that was the thing that would decide my day. From being the hope of a struggling nation, to the emblem of a country ready to take on the world, Sachin has traversed a long, arduous path. And from his first 200 in an ODI to the World Cup win in 2011, the film takes you on a fairy tale ride with Sachin. Sachin had started his career at Mumbai and won the World Cup in the city itself. You see life coming full circle for him; from boy-next-door to The God of cricket.

You tear up again, when the time comes for his retirement at an emotional Wankhede. There would not have been a soul in the stadium that day or any Sachin fan anywhere who would have been able to control his/her emotions.

As a viewer, you'll be enchanted at the way this film catches the numerous moments that made Sachin a legend. Couple that with the 'Saaachin Saaachin' chants and peppy music in the background — and Sachin: A Billion Dreams is an evening well spent at the theater.

Direction Of James Erskine Was Just Amazing And Music Given By A. R. Rahman Will Give You goosebumps. We all know about the life of Sachin but what the film has done, it has shown the rest of the world, how somebody from very humble beginnings can put up a fight and make this country so proud. I feel just so happy.One Day I Will Tell My Children That I Have Watched Sachin Play,The God Himself.

10/10 For Ten-dulkar
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10/10
Tear drops guaranteed... Sachin sachiiin....
skumars_ssn31 May 2017
This is how a biopic should be directed. No fancy songs, no dream sequences, just the master himself narrating his life journey.

The loudest roar was heard when Dhoni was shown in the film and similarly, the loudest roar heard in MS Dhoni's biopic was the scene where they show Sachin's poster.

Such is the respect and love the country shares for these two heroes. Some minority bunch of loons just say I hate Dhoni, I hate Sachin just for the sake of argument.

To those who say "I hate sachin (or anyone else for that matter)", you have no fu***ng rights to say that. We don't know f**k abt the game, the technique involved and what not. So just STFU...

The movie would certainly make us nostalgic and ur love for the game would certainly increase after seeing the movie. No one could have come back after a serious injury and scored 18 plus tons before retiring.

If you ask someone what's the most amazing invention/discovery, ppl might say wireless communication, robotics, nano technology and so on, but no one would say Electricity. Without electricity, everyhing is garbage and Sachin is the Electricity that triggered all that what you see on Indian cricket today. Deal with it.

A must watch movie. Tear drop guaranteed...
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10/10
Sachin billion dreams...Straight drive direct to the heart
brij-raychanda26 May 2017
One of the most awaited movie for me. From morning only I was thinking that again I will able to see him playing, this time on big screen...Again sweet echo of sachin...sachin will go directly to heart through ear canals and will give immense pleasure... Again my heart will pounding like it was pounding when he was on the crease... Again heart will be choked up as it was choked up when i was seeing him playing last time and heard his emotional speech after match...

When his name comes, We Indian feels like he is one of our family member and when he played we felt like we ourselves are playing there so much he connected us with him.

Movie is just like sachin's nature. Simple and gentleman approach. Although it's Docu-Drama not biopic but made with such a brilliant efforts.

No words to describe movie, and I will just say if you loved him slightly then go to watch his journey how it was begun and what it meant for sachin to bring world cup at home.
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10/10
Salute to the greatest Sons of India- SACHIN!
srikanth-9491926 May 2017
Sachin a billion dreams is probably one of the best Sports documentary ever made. The background score by A R Rahman coupled with pulsating narration will take you down the memory lane and gets you all emotional. Relive India's favorite son's rise to the top, the emotional connect fans had with Sachin, the mesmerizing chant of "Sachin, Sachin", his pains and tribulations. You connect with your past instantly. This is must watch movie for all who experienced the Sachin Era.
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10/10
Cricket is still my religion and Sachin is still my god
manikkaushal-8119825 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
First of all i want to say thankyou to the director for presenting it as a documentary rather than a shitty commercial masala.I m a 90's kid and have grown up watching this legendary batsmen & while watching the movie,it brought back all the memories Sachin has given us in his illustrious career.The best part was the sachin sachin chants indeed and if any sachin tendulkar fan says that they did'nt cry when sachin chants came then they are lying.A must watch for all sachin tendulkar fans
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10/10
Brilliant Collection - Fantastic editing & direction
ajay-bellubbi146 June 2017
I have to admit. I'm a hardcore Sachin fan. As per expert reviews, the critics said you will like this movie if you are a Sachin fan. I would have to disagree. You don't have to be a fan to like this movie. Being a fan, I was apprehensive of this movie when I was entering the movie hall. Having lived through most of the major events in his cricketing life and fortunate enough to see him bat in flesh in one of those (2008, Test match vs England in Chennai just after the Mumbai attack in which he scored a 4th innings century), this movie still gives you goosebumps. It gives those wonderful and tragic events in his life. Starting from his childhood, (most of which is enacted since there is no footage of that) until the last speech, this is a ride to endear. The old video footage, at the time of Sachin's marriage with Anjali and later when his kids Sarah and Arjun are growing up, is extremely beautiful and moving. On the cricketing side, you have his captaincy stints, the match fixing scandals, the Greg Chappel episode, his rivalries with Warne & Wasim, the world cup highs and lows and the emotions that go with it, etc. This movie shows how much winning the WC meant to him. It takes you inside Sachin's life and the pressures he had to deal with, the sacrifices he and his family had to make. All in all great direction from James Erskine, great editing from Avdhesh Mohla and a gripping background score/music from AR Rehman. Do not miss it.
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7/10
Sachin
santhosh-1029026 March 2019
Good movie. The movie shows the life history of Sachin Tendulkar. The movie was not so interesting but the movie has more facts but the movie is not much entertaining. BGM in the movie was good. The movie lagged a bit. But the movie was not so boring. Good movie.
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10/10
Sachin A Billion Dreams-Just Feel It
itzzjoy26 May 2017
I don't know where to start, how to start and what to write. Sachin A Billion Dreams is not a film ; it's actually a time machine that will take you back in the past and you will be able to live the past 24 years once again... You will see the unseen and experience many anxious moments. The sound of Sachinnn Sachinnn certainly is going to make you feel how lucky you are that you are an Indian... If you are looking for any fantasy- crispy type tale in that movie, you are not gonna find that but what you gonna get from this movie is undoubtedly an everlasting impression and I can confidently say that it will be very Soothing indeed. It's not possible that anyhow you gonna get disappointed but if you get disappointed then I'm sorry to say but you don't deserve to live on this earth. This documentary lights upon Sachin 's extreme passion, love and cordiality towards cricket. To him how important is his country you will sense clearly. It shows that Sachin was, is and will be a true worshipper of Cricket.

The fantastic narrative style of the Master, touches every corner of the viewers' hearts. The sequential picturization of every important aspect is very beautifully crafted through his words. Insertion of the logs from Dhoni, Kohli, Ajit Tendulkar, Sourav, Bhajji, Yuvi, Sir Don and lot more gift a gorgeously decorative frame to the film. The film showcases finely the relationships like Sachin-Anjali, Sachin-His Father, Sachin-Ajit and lot more but the relationships like Sachin-Sourav, Sachin- Rahul and so on are not well-narrated though it appears to be fine as the logs say a lot.As a director James Erskine surely stands up to our expectations and thus aspires high. The musical touch of legendary A. R. Rahman gives a sensational feeling that will sink into your heart's core deeply. Lots of heart-throbbing moments will give you goosebumps. It will walk you through all those 'Sachinly' memories and in the process you shall become 'Sachinized' if you haven't been so yet. You may not call him God but I'm sure, after watching it you will understand why we call him our God. He is someone for whom Cricket feels proud. Sachin is not a name it's a symbol of heroism . Thus I wanna conclude like this- please watch it if you respect your country. You will get blessed for watching this film.

#AB
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7/10
Its a journey - That's true.
rpathak11330 May 2017
Me after leaving India for so long and still loving all the cricket actions I enjoyed during my childhood. This movie reminds me all. He still has that impact.

Such a fact that I started watching cricket after following Sachin..

best thing about the movie its a story of sports person in general, you can relate to. Direction and Story telling made the movie better.

My review is biased, I agree I am a Sachin Fan. :)

Sachin Sachin; Sachin Sachin

(Spare my English :) )
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3/10
Propaganda not a biography
michaelmehmi198327 September 2020
Really hate watching biographies which just end up being a self engineered propaganda of narcissism.

There isn't a single negative on this very long film. I'm sure he is an amazing guy and great sportsman. However, we didn't learn anything. What was internal team conflict, who did he have issues with. why did he think he never won a world Cup for 22 years. where was the locker room talk? I really wanted to learn something new other than he is a nice guy, works hard and is a good batsman.
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10/10
Fantastic watch
kapilmails31 May 2017
The docudrama is not for everyone at least not for the people who aren't into cricket. But for the rest it's pure delight.

It catches the imagination of generation of Indian millennials and portrays it beautifully with the evolution of Cricket's global superstar SRT!

It's nostalgic trip down the memory lane with moments of high, lows, heartbreaks, glory, and national pride. I would highly recommend it and the watch will be surely rewarding.
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10/10
More than just a documentary of a dedicated cricketer. Something way more special.(Contains Spoilers)
pranjalkakkar-5878426 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Sachin : A billion dreams

Sachin tells how he was inspired by the evolution India was going through instead of all the complexities and how he always tried to improve his game taking that as an example.

Sachin explains the importance of courage and hard work that can bring together a team going through a situation as difficult as outrage from fans and internal clashes created by outsiders for domination over a capable side. He explains that the injuries, losses at crucial matches, depletion of cricket due to betting/match fixing scandals, personal loss of his father; all made the journey worth fighting for and he kept coming back to make sure that the game cricket stays clean and people keep loving it.

Sachin emphasized the importance of his friends(apart from cricket) who always supported him each time when either media created a negative propaganda against him to push him into retirement, or when the dressing room fell apart and Sachin could only watch the team developing distance within.

Sachin narrates the journey of a nation, its people and the team divided by opinions that always had the courage to stand together to appreciate good work and get inspired.

Sachin says he was fortunate to have found right teachings and aim at a young age. He says that he was even fortunate to carry the focus towards his dream of winning the world cup for India till he achieved the same.

Sachin said he was grateful to his wife Anjali who gave up her carrier so that she could look after the family, and Sachin could focus on the game. He said he was grateful to the fans for chanting "Sachin-Sachin" every time he came out to bat, reminding him of his duty.

Sachin just wanted to help his team lift the world cup. All the hurdles that he faced together with the team, made him adamant to try harder. All the records he piled up in the process are the representation of every time he tried harder to push the team closer to winning the world cup.

Had India won the world cup in an early stage of his career, he might not have been as big a player as he ended up being. All the challenges/difficulties he faced *WITHOUT BACKING AWAY* across the span of 22 years helped him become an even greater player and that helped the team to relive 1983 dream.

🇮🇳 🌎🏆 🇮🇳

This documentary is something very special. It is a great inspirational story that, I can promise, every time you watch will teach you something you need to be reminded of at that point of time. The story is full of right lessons and is as close to a holy book of any religion as there can be any.🇮🇳
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10/10
Don't MIss the Prasad from God of Cricket
rajayogan26 May 2017
#Sachin wow what a movie, An unexpected gem. Had no expectations whatsoever, as the trailer felt like a espn documentary of sorts, but what they had in store was unlike of any sports movie made ever. Not just the story of Sachin, but of Indian cricket. If you have even a pint of interest in cricket, do yourself a favor and watch this movie now. Especially 80"s kids, relive your childhood again by watching this, million no no billion thanks to the person who came up with this idea of making, Hats off, SACHINNNNNNNNN SACHINNNNNNNNNNNN.........
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10/10
The efforts of a normal person toward Cricket In India
sujutumbde1 June 2017
SACHIN is not a billion dream its a dream of 7.2 billion people in world, he is the person who will be known for his effort and dedication toward India Cricket team making it live to every one heart , we think without him this would be a dream of getting an world cup but by the patience and struggle of such person even prayers of 1.2 billion people of our country India has made our dream come true and coming generation he and MS Dhoni sir would be Known as True Hearts for Indian cricket team we salute u sir jai hind ........
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10/10
Best Movie
ashapatil26 May 2017
Sachin: A Billion Dreams is a 2017 Indian biographical film written and directed by James Erskine. The film is based on the life of Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. The film captures Tendulkar's cricket and personal life in substantial detail, as well as reveals few aspects of his life which have never been heard of or seen before. This movie is depend on true life story! I love this movie! Sachin is Inspiration for me. I love you Sachin! http://couppays.com/
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10/10
The face of three generations of Indian cricket.
Reno-Rangan4 October 2017
The Indian film market isn't made for documentary films. If there's an exception, that has to be not just cricket, but Sachin Tendulkar. I know you know that India is a vast cultural diverse country. Hundreds of language, ethnic, religion, caste, in so many ways, so many people split over the things. But one thing that unites north, south, northeast is the cricket. The '83 World Cup might have been the new beginning, but Sachin was the X factor for the Indian cricket to see a revolution. The sports body saw an opportunity and rebranded themselves with his presence. Because of him, the Indians started to watch cricket, learn cricket. Hence the cricket became a religion and Sachin's a god.

This is the second biographical-sport film about Indian cricket I'm seeing after 'M.S. Dhoni: An Untold Story'. I liked that it wasn't a feature film. Feature films are commercialised, skips parts, alters storyline and characters. Not to forget that there will be boring music tracks if it is an Indian film. Besides, to see the actors in the shoes of real life achievers, not that good as I always say, why did that guy won the Oscar, who just depicted the one who struggled and achieved in the real cruel world. So hats off to the filmmakers for bringing this up in the best way possible.

You could call it a prequel to that Dhoni film. Not just because both the films are about cricket or Indian cricket, but they both ran parallel. In a way they are connected. Except, focused on the different person, and this one had a head start like a decade earlier. Most of the achievers in the sports had began with an unexpected gift at their very young age that steered them to choose an apt career. It could be anything. A badminton racquet or a chessboard or a pair of shoes. For Tendulkar, it was a cricket bat from his big sister. He was a naughty boy till he got that bat. With his brother's support, he took the sport seriously and then everything has changed for him for the next 27 years of his life.

At the age eleven, he first took the bat. Five years later, he was the youngest player to represent his nation. That too was against the arch-rival in their home turf. I don't remember all those, because I was just a baby then. But 6 years later, I joined the fan club of one billion. I'm not a Tendulkar fan, though I always respected him alongside a few other gentlemen like him, Dravid and Dhoni. They're not just the players with good conducts, but rewrote the history. Besides, Nobody needs to be a Tendulkar fan to enjoy his batting. There were many legends before him and after him, but he'd found his own unique place that will be remembered for decades, centuries.

❝India played themselves into a situation that was not uncommon in those days. If Tendulkar out, India is out.❞

Being young would have been his advantage, but after getting a captaincy, he had struggled. If you're a 70s, 80s kid grown up in the 90s, then you would know the exact reason. In the late 90s, the match fixing event broke out. I remember my first ever World Cup, the '99 in England. But a sad event surfaced in his life. Even I got emotional while watching that part in this film. Those videos I watched 18 years ago and watching the same clips in this film with a backstory, tell me who won't melt down. A true hero. But the film wasn't just highlighting his achievements, focused on his life journey through the cricket he loved. So you could see everything he'd seen his own eyes, like what his teammates achieved too and he was part of it.

The narration was hopping between the World Cups like the checkpoints. How his cricketing life, as well as personal life shaped every four years were interesting to see. Because he'd started his career at a young age, he saw many teammates come and go. The generation after generation for three, the sport too saw the revolution alongside. During his final days, it was the T20 era. The fearless cricket age. Seeing lots of ups and downs, he'd marked his presence to inspire the future Indian cricketers. Even the Dhoni, Kohli and many legends of todays world cricketers have said that they've got inspiration from him.

They've recreated the his boyhood life with the actors. Only in the initial stage to have a perfect start. Because I guess they didn't have video clips for those sections. Tendulkar was born in an average Indian middle class family. But once his cricketing life began, and getting a popular, at least in the Mumbai region was the turning point. Especially after that dream run-fest with Vinod Kambli.

Where's the Sudhir Chaudhary? Anybody who is familiar with Indian cricket knows that guy. Yeah, he was there for a few seconds, but I anticipated a small brief or mention about him. My experience was good, though listening all the dialogues, even the real clips in Tamil translation looked a bit strange, but nothing wrong.

They'd skipped the IPL part, just like Dhoni's film to make it a united national product. But one of the best parts of that league was, his batting was celebrated even from the opposition fans. So the India united for him, because of him when franchise based regional war were going on. Just over the two hour long, it was a well detailed biopic. If you're an Indian cricket fan, you surely would love it. Even if you're a cricket fan from overseas, there's no reason to ignore it. A must see for all who love this sport, as well as who never heard of it to learn something out of it.

10/10
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10/10
Excellent for entire family
MysteryAuthor28 May 2017
I can't remember the last time I went to see an Indian Movie in the Theatre. But based on the great reviews of this movie and a show I saw on Television, my wife and I decided to go to a theater to watched this. Closest theater 35 minutes away but it was well worth it. Brilliant movie, very well made and keeps you entertained from start to finish. I strongly reommend and can't wait for my kids to see it.
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5/10
A Charged-up Documentary That Avoids Objectivism. ♦ Grade C-
nairtejas28 May 2017
It is not surprising that a British filmmaker who specializes in TV was chosen to make a documentary about someone who is regarded highly by at least 7 out of 10 people in India. We really don't know how James Erskine came on board, but we can be sure that he hasn't watched Azhar (2016) or M S Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) for then this sports documentary wouldn't have made the same mistakes they did.

Narrating the story of legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar from his childhood when he first picked up a bat to his retirement in 2013, the documentary tries to masquerade as a film and goes on to etch his story into India's history of the last 30 years. How Sachin as a young boy is supported by his family to follow his call, how he met his wife Anjali and got married to her, how he dealt with failure, what his single-biggest dream was, his highs and lows, his health, and his connection with the Indian people is all what the documentary explores. Much how the two biopics mentioned earlier were made, here the idea of the makers is to accentuate Sachin's appeal as a legendary cricketer by avoiding objectivism. It is clear from the first frame that the makers had no idea to go deeper into the specifics, and instead just provide a superficial chronological time-line of his life that is already present in the public domain. Executed with doses of sentiments of peripheral patriotism, this one is as straightforward as it can get.

The biggest problem with the documentary is that it takes "cricket is a religion in India" too seriously and tries to tie Sachin's endeavors as elements that carved India's fate and are reasons why and how India is as it is today - which is first-class drivel. So much that it goes on to exaggerate a couple of events just to prove its point. Statements like "change in the country's luck", "country's fate", and "the power of Indians" are employed to give emphasis to the point.

For people wondering why we cannot call it a film, it's because the film is basically a collection of cricket match footage since the 80s and interviews. Of course, there are emotions attached to certain matches which bring back nostalgia (to Indians), which is why I have to use the word "goosebumps" here, but play any nail-biting match in the history of Indian cricket which was a turning point for the national team, and those pimples are sure to crop up. Former batsmen and bowlers, journalists, celebrities, his family members, and Sachin himself share their thoughts about the subject as the documentary simultaneously moves ahead in the time-line. There are some interesting tidbits that it offers - for example, episodes of match-fixing, rivalry, age-gap between players, and other miscellaneous events that shaped cricket in India - which are the only novel thing an average Indian will find in this feature. For outsiders, it will be much more.

How Sachin changed the essence of cricket in India, and helped it rise from its ashes is what the makers and Sachin himself repeatedly convey in the documentary. The only problem is that it is not entirely convincing. Showing that his dream is synonymous with the country's dream as far as cricket is concerned is bit of an overstatement, and that is what plays with its appeal.

Director Erskine has surely made a recipe that evokes emotions and pulls a cricket fan back to the good old days. The screenplay is crisp and filled with substance, even though most of it is rehash. The problem is that this is not how biopics are made. The characters do a decent job at talking out, and if character performance is really to be mentioned - it should be about the two young actors who played young Sachin. They looked like they were enjoying. Other than that, it's mostly Tendulkar, his wife, and other known players doing the talking.

All in all, it's a well-executed documentary that plays very safe and does not get bowled out. It will not disappoint a fan, but might a cinema enthusiast.

BOTTOM LINE: James Erskine's "Sachin" may have got the tag-line "A Billion Dreams" wrong, but it surely is an enjoyable, one-time affair. Just don't expect Sachin to open his closet. Go for a weekday afternoon show!

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
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10/10
Excellent - Sachin Sachin
surajit-19831 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
After a long time writing a review for a special movie. Sachin is himself enough to create the buzz to watch the movie. You can get a chance to see the stroke play in the big screen that you used to see in the small television screens. His personal interviews and family life, most importantly his dedication towards the game of cricket. That made Sachin great. The documentary-drama genre is not successful in India but still it has the highest IMDb rating in that category. The emotions, the matches, the straight drives, the softness in his voice all are wonderful to watch. The big thing is he made an honest movie being an honest person himself. His rift with Azhar was shown, so as his frustration of his removal from captaincy. I liked it a lot and could watch it 100 times. The "Sachin Sachin" chant was mesmerizing.
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10/10
Magnificent and awesome
taraf-6894030 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
What a movie!!! Sachin rocks as usual. Love you brilliant Tendulkar. Magnificent movie. I became nostalgic. What a movie to make everyone motivated. This movie will show how to chase dream and make that into milestone. Amazing edition...Loved to watch..everyone must watch...True and successful edition of a successful person. Brilliant!! I thought as if I have got back my childhood with my childhood hero...Love you Sachin..Thanks for this brilliant edition.
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10/10
Expectations
appujosh5 June 2017
This is not a typical film. Do not expect any drama or a story. Its a documentary and depicts the person who as the name says, carried a billion dreams every time he walked out on a cricket field. As an inspiration the film is phenomenal especially for people who have watched him play for years and years. For me it was my whole childhood.
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10/10
Relived my childhood
debrup_uit29 May 2017
I am not an avid contributor in IMDb but I do follow it from a long time. Decided to pen this review down as this movie is about my childhood hero, my passion and emotion. This docu-drama gave me feeling that I am sitting inside a time machine and have been taken twenty years back. Memories were gushing in of bunking classes, fighting with friends, being overjoyed, getting hurt, having sleepless nights all for this man. This is a very honest movie with no bollywood type masala drama, being as real as possible. A very smart move to make this as a docu-drama, as how big an actor you might be but you can never clone a Sachin Tendulkar.

Getting peep into his personal life was priceless, as although he is the most humblest celebrity but he never opened up to this extent throughout. It gave a feeling that he was no different than any of us, Harsha rightly explained that he was gifted so do many of us, but with only his sheer dedication he became a legend. This movie brought him more closer to the commonest man, he had his disappointments, he had his own superstitions, he also had fears (but not on the field) and he is still like all of us. This movie always stressed on the Sachin's philosphophy which he inherited from his father as always being the person first and that is the sole reason why he is the most respected cricketer ever to have graced the field. Not to miss it is backed by great background score by the Mozart Rahman.

By no means this is a perfect script. For people like me who has been his craziest fan and who has read his autobiography there will be very less moments of surprises or hardly anything that we learn new. As movie goers we love controversies right ? and many of us might have come expecting the same, but if you have followed Sachin a little also you would know he is a person who has been the flagbearer of positivity from two decades and controversies always spread negativity. Sachin can never poetry his disagreement to Dravid after he declared the innings with Sachin on 194 as that would have marked a disrespect for another legend. In this movie he did spoke about match fixing, Azhar and Chappel but again those were nothing new. Alas we all know so much about Sachin that unless he speaks something horrific out of the blue we know it all. So if you are seeking for your cup of controversies to make another newspaper headline sorry you are in the wrong theater.

This movie is bundled with hope, courage, pride, attitude and some awesome sweet insights which again redefined him as a simple person with an extraordinary will. A movie which teaches value more than money. Sachin instilled patriotism in me when I was a kid and after watching this movie you will come with a sense of pride for your country and an eagerness to contribute to its growth in some form or the other.

The golden era of cricket is gone, gone are the days which emptied the streets when this man is batting, throwing your TV remote when this man's wicket falls, gone is the Indian team which had stalwarts and legends who fought against the most celebrated cricketers ever and won everyone's heart. Thanks to this movie for making me glimpses of my most beloved sporting XI, for making me chant Sachin Sachin, for giving some spine chilling moments, for making me relive the best days again.

Sachin Sachin, Sachin Sachin
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