800 is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language biographical sports drama based on the life and career of cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan, the highest wicket-taker in the history of cricket. This film is dubbed into Telugu with the same title. The film stars Madhurr Mittal & Mahima Nambiyar in lead roles along with Nassar, King Ratnam, Narain, Sharath Lohitashwa, Vela Ramamoorthy, Vadivukarasi, Hari, Janaki, Sarath Loki, Yog Jaypee, Rythvika, Rithvik, Prithvi & others in key supporting roles. The music is composed by Ghibran and the film is produced by Vivek Rangachari, under Movie Train Motion Pictures banner.
Story:
The film is a biopic on Muthiah Muralidaran, the champion bowler who set the record for taking 800 wickets in Test Cricket. The story captures the many facets of Muralidaran’s life; the tale of an oppressed Tamil, his childhood, how he became a cricketer, how he got selected to the international team, and someone who was once called for chucking. It is an inspiring tale of a Tamil man who championed Sri Lankan Cricket and went on to become one of the greatest cricketers ever.
What about on-screen performances?
Madhurr Mittal is simply outstanding in the role of Muthiah Muralidaran. He looks the part well and successfully replicates Murali’s bowling to the Tee. He does an impressive job as the teenage and older Murali by bringing in settled variations through his body language. He also excels in all the emotional scenes as well.
King Ratnam is excellent as the former Sri Lankan Cricket team captain Arjuna Ranatunga. He too looks the part well and credits to the look designer for bringing authenticity to their on-screen appearance.
Mahima Nambiyar is pretty decent in her short portions as Muthiah Muralidaran’s love interest.
Nassar, Narain & Sharath Lohitashwa ably support the plot in their key supporting roles.
Rithvik & Prithvi who play the younger versions of Murali are good in their parts.
Vela Ramamoorthy, Vadivukarasi, Hari, Janaki, Sarath Loki, Yog Jaypee, Rythvika & others are fine in their respective roles.
What about off-screen talents?
The story by Ms.Sripathy & Shehan Karunatilaka is neat and very precise. It talks about all the important moments in his cricket career and out of cricket parts in Muthiah Muralidaran’s life.
The screenplay by the duo too is well written. Apart from a few boring scenes in the middle portions in both the halves which are not related to cricket, the scenes are mostly engaging and have enough drama to keep you hooked. The way Murali became an international cricketer, the entire chooker episode and the climax portions where Murali picks up his 800th wicket against India are a few of the best parts of the film.
Director MS.Sripathy does a commendable job with his presentation. He keeps the authenticity intact in all the cricketing scenes and ensures that the drama keeps us engaged in most places.
The Telugu dialogues are well written and the Telugu dubbing of all the actors is neatly done.
The cinematography by R.D Rajasekhar is top-notch. All the cricketing scenes are captured superbly and the framing in all the scenes is perfect.
Ghibran’s music is good and complements all the scenes well taking them to the next level.
The edit by Praveen KL is average. A few abrupt cuts in the middle look odd.
Special mention to the look designer Anita Matkar & Sports Choreogrpaher Dhruv Panjabi for their meticulous work in their crafts.
The production values by Movie Train Motion Pictures are first-rate.
What’s Hot?
* Madhurr Mittal’s Performance
* King Ratnam’s Performance
* Authentic Cricketing Scenes
* Chocker Episode & Climax Portions
* Cinematography & Background Score
What’s Not?
* Lengthy Run Time
* Dragged Out Scenes In The Non-Cricket Portions
* Weak Love Track
* Few Abrupt Cuts At Places
Verdict: 800 is a fairly made biopic that has good cricketing moments that most of the cricket fans and 90’s kids know. Even if you aren’t a cricket fan, try watching it for the drama in Muthiah Muralidaran’s life as a cricketer.
Telugubulletin.com Rating: 2.5/5