Kaun Pravin Tambe Review: No, Pravin Tambe Is Not Iqbal And It Won’t Even Remind You Of It. All Credit Goes To Shreyas Talpade And The Director, Jayprad Desai

Firstly, a big round of applause for Shreyas Talpade for a wonderful performance in Kaun Pravin Tambe? I am glad that he got an excellent project to prove his mettle once again. What a comeback! I know many actors do not like the word ‘comeback,’ as they never left the industry in the first place. But in this industry, out of sight is out of mind. We haven’t seen Shreyas for a long time, neither on the small nor on the big screen, so I think it’s safe to say that he has re-entered the industry with his OTT debut.

Now, let’s talk about Kaun Pravin Tambe’s comparison with Iqbal. Shreyas Talpade is playing a cricketer once again. So, is it the repeat of his first hit? No, it’s not. As you know, it is based on a real story. Whereas, Iqbal was fiction. Having said that, Shreyas’ character, Pravin Tambe is similar to Iqbal. The risk for the makers was that the audience might not see anything new in Kaun Pravin Tambe especially with Shreyas Talpade in the lead. But both the director and Shreyas have given a new identity to this film. There is not a single moment where you are reminded of Iqbal. 

Kaun Pravin Tambe is a film you can watch with family on the weekends. Captivating and motivating! The best part is that, like that of a middle-class man’s life, the film is straightforward. Simply because it’s a sports film, the writer has not added unnecessarily twists and turns to the story. Even the Director has kept it simple – to the point and true to life. 

Kaun Pravin Tambe’s stellar supporting cast is another plus point. Arun Nalawade, Chayya Kadam, Anjali Patil, Ashish Vidyarthi, and the actor who played his brother. Subtle yet real.

(I am sorry for not naming the actor who played Pravin Tambe’s brother in the film. I couldn’t find his name on Google. If you know it, please let me know in the comments. I would love to mention him here).  

What Is Kaun Pravin Tambe’s Story?

I won’t get into the details as you already know that it’s about a cricketer who made his debut at the age of 41 in the IPL. Kaun Pravin Tambe is about his struggle, conviction, and passion. He took his very first job because he will get to play. And then, he only took jobs that would let him play. If no, he would straight away say no to the opportunity or quit the job. Living in a chawl, he struggled financially due to lack of a stable and well-paying job. But he did not give up. He sometimes made it and he sometimes broke down. The next day, he picked up his cricket kit and went back to the ground. That’s the only thing that kept him going in life. 

From being inflexible when his coach asked him to change his game to finally approaching the same coach himself to teach him how to put his strengths to use, he did everything he could to make sure he was delivering only his best. Call it luck or sheer hard work, for a long time, his hard work went unappreciated. Though his game was recognized, he was asked to settle down financially and give up his dream of winning Ranji Trophy. And that frustrated him more than any other struggle.

As we all know it now, though late, he made it big in life. 

This inspiring story is a must-watch. 

But remember, it’s not a fast-paced, edge-of-the-seat drama. Kaun Pravin Tambe is a relaxed movie with good humour. 

How can I wrap this review without mentioning my favorite? Trupti Khamkar, the lady who played Pravin Tambe son’s school Principal. What an actor! No matter what role she is playing and for how long she is on-screen, she manages to hijack your mind and heart. I loved her in Jai Sharma’s Gadhedo as well. Since then, I have been in love with this bindaas, talented girl.