Akshay captains a stellar team

Hitler and carrying the notyet-official tricolour next to his heart, he establishes his patriotism. A thrilling hockey match follows and the action is as engrossing in the bleachers as on the field. The opening credits and first scene are the most rousing.

The film is inspired by the true life story of India’s first gold as a free country, at the 1948 Olympics in Britain.

The story begins, though, in the pre-dawn of World War 2 and takes the audience through one of the most tumultuous times in the history of world.

I had misgivings about Akshay playing a Bengali, but he takes on his role with finesse. He is also secure enough to let others shine. In the most important moments of the film, he is either outvoted or left behind. That perhaps is the biggest achievement of Gold — it fleshes out all the key characters in its ensemble cast.

Kunal Kapoor is compelling as the hockey captain; Vineet Singh’s Muslim vice-captain is also a freedom fighter. The team’s inner push-and-pull are presented through the competition between Raghubir Pratap Singh (Amit Sadh) and Himmat Singh (Sunny Kaushal). Different in circumstances and demeanour, they give the film its Chak De! spirit. Reema Kagti’s directorial hand is visible all through. Mouni Roy as Tapan’s wife Monobina is just right mixture of crotchety and charming. The couple’s scenes together are the spice that Gold needed.

Overall, expect a solid twoand-a-half hours of tricolourhued entertainment. Well done, Akshay Kumar and Reema Kagti for choosing a cracking film. A tip of the hat to Akshay for an engrossing performance.