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By Taran
Adarsh, November 23, 2007 - 12:12 IST
 Think of sports-based films made in India and it
visuals of LAGAAN and CHAK DE INDIA flash across your
mind. Will DHAN DHANA DHAN GOAL fall in the same
league as these immensely popular flicks, is one vital
question that crosses your mind as the reels of UTV's
new sport-based film [their second this year, after
HATTRICK] DHAN DHANA DHAN GOAL are about to unfold.
GOAL is a simple story that packs not just the sport,
but also dabbles with issues like racism and
fanaticism associated with this sport. Issues that
Westerners can relate to more than Indians, especially
racial discrimination.
As a film, GOAL has its share of highs and lows. If
the first hour is strictly okay, the pendulum swings
in its favour in the second hour -- in the last 20
minutes, to be precise. The sport succeeds in arousing
patriotic feelings, besides involving the viewer in
the fight-to-finish finale.
Conversely, there are times when you feel that the
film falls back on the predictable, tried-n-tested
mundane stuff. And packs in something ['Billo', the
song] that's just not in sync with the mood of the
film.
To sum up, GOAL is a simple story, well told.
Notwithstanding the hiccups, this film hits a goal,
courtesy its brilliantly executed finale.
 Southall United Football Club is facing its deepest
crisis ever. Bankrupt, with no stars, no coach, no
sponsors, no takers, no spectators and most
importantly, no owner. After the City Council sends an
eviction notice, it's the last chance to save the
ground, the club and their honour. Shaan [Arshad Warsi]
takes up the challenge to save the club from
extinction. After a disesteemed ex-player, Tony Singh
[Boman Irani], joins them as the coach, Shaan and he
begin work to gather the worn out team.
Sunny's [John Abraham] dreams to play for England
crashes after his club does not select him. The reason
is apparently not his game, but the colour of his
skin. Sunny and Shaan never see eye to eye. Adding to
their personal chaos is Shaan's cousin sister Rumana [Bipasha
Basu], who is in love with Sunny.
Tony manages to convince Sunny to play for Southall
United. It takes a while before Shaan and the team
warms up to Sunny. With Sunny joining Southall United,
the team gradually starts climbing the points tally.
The City Council is worried. Johny Bakshi [Dalip Tahil],
a commentator and a frontman of the Council, plans to
lure Sunny away from Southall United.
Director Vivek Agnihotri combines style and substance
in his second outing GOAL. Take the sequence at the
very start, when an English woman and her frontman [Dalip
Tahil] reveal their plans of coming up with a shopping
complex on the ground. The director opens the cards at
the very outset. But the narrative dips, rises, hits a
low and ascends unfailingly till the first hour ends.
The sequence prior to the intermission -- at the
Manchester United Stadium -- leaves you awe-struck and
makes you look forward to a powerful second hour.
 Fortunately, the drama only gets exciting in the
post-interval hour. The cold vibes that Arshad and
John share as also John's volte-face, when he decides
to abandon his club for the riches, give the film that
extra dimension, camouflaging the defects that raised
their head not too long back. The film dips at times
in this hour too, but the journey to the finale is
well structured. Yes, John's change of heart is
slightly filmy and clichéd, but the climax is
astounding. The penultimate 20 minutes in the stadium
are awe-inspiring and that's what you carry back home.
Vivek Agnihotri knows what he's talking and though you
know that he got swayed by technique in his very first
film CHOCOLATE, in GOAL, he never lets technique
overpower content. The story is simple, but absorbing
and presented stylishly. He's truly evolved into a
fine storyteller.
There're just two songs in the narrative -- the anthem
'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal'/excellent and 'Billo'/well-tuned,
but the mujra doesn't go well with the mood of the
film. Attar Singh Saini's cinematography is striking.
The camera movements -- so difficult in a film like
this -- are exemplary.
Both John and Arshad are the 'Men of the Match'. John
is a revelation. Wrongly dubbed as a clotheshorse in
his earlier films, he hits a goal in GOAL. John lends
the right texture to his character. He not only looks
right for the part, but also plays the sport like a
pro. GOAL should occupy the top slot in his body of
work!
Arshad Warsi is superb. An incredibly talented actor
whose versatility speaks volumes. Cast in a sober,
serious role this time, Arshad enacts the part with as
much ease as he portrayed Circuit. Bipasha Basu may
not have a lengthy role, but she adds zing to the
goings-on as and when she appears. Her love story with
John is really cute.
 Boman Irani is top notch. Note his roar at the
intermission point or the uneasiness he displays
whenever his team locks horns with the rivals on
field. It's a flawless performance. Raj Zutshi is
first-rate. Dalip Tahil carries the venomous part
well. The actor enacting the role of Arshad's wife
does a commendable job.
On the whole, DHAN DHANA DHAN GOAL has an ordinary
first hour, but the post-interval portions, especially
the exhilarating climax, makes up for everything. At
the box-office, the producers [UTV] have already
recovered the cost of production from various sales
and in-film advertising. The theatrical business will
only add to the booty, considering the film has the
merits to work with the moviegoers. Another factor
that goes in its favour -- and it's an important one
-- is the fact that the moviegoers haven't had a
release post-Diwali. That should reap dhan for DHAN
DHANA DHAN GOAL.
Rating:- *
* *
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