Dhoni

Dhoni is a 2012 Indian children’s drama directed, produced and co-written by Prakash Raj. It was made simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu and stars Prakash Raj with Akash and Radhika Apte. A remake of the Marathi film Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho (2010), it deals with the clash between a father who wants his son to study for an MBA and a son who dreams of becoming a cricketer like MS Dhoni. It was released on 10 February 2012 and won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Third Best Film.

Story

Subramaniam, a lower-middle-class widower, raises two children, Kaveri and Karthik. He works long hours at a government job and makes pickles on the side. He dreams of seeing Karthik earn an MBA, but the boy cares only for cricket and idolises Dhoni. As Karthik’s school results slip and his talent at the game goes unnoticed, the tension between father and son grows.

Cast

• Prakash Raj as Subramaniam
• Akash, son of director Puri Jagannadh, as Karthik, in his acting debut
• Radhika Apte in a pivotal role
• Prabhu Deva in a cameo

Production

Prakash Raj announced the bilingual in August 2011, saying it was about the pressure children face in schools today. Prabhu Deva shot his cameo over five days in Pondicherry in November 2011.

Music and release

Ilaiyaraaja composed the songs and score, and the audio launch on 28 January 2012 featured a live performance by him. The film was released on 10 February 2012, with Sri Venkateswara Creations distributing the Telugu version.

Reception

The Times of India gave it 3.5 out of 5. It credited inspired acting, stimulating writing, a stirring score and fine camera work with lifting the film above the ordinary. Sify urged viewers not to miss it and said its message applied to everyone.

Sources: Wikipedia and Wikidata.