I knew nothing of Paan Singh Tomar before watching this biography and am really glad as it meant that the story was very surprising. Tomar was a very successful athlete, who specialised in the 3000m steeplechase whilst in the army. His life after the army took a course that, because I didn't know his story, was completely unexpected. Great acting from Irrfan Khan in the title role.
This film makes India my 12th country in the 30 countries challenge.

Paan Singh Tomar (2010). This is a low budget indie film starring Irrfan Khan as the real life championship runner from the 1950’s who later reluctantly became a dacoit, or bandit, when corrupt officials failed to intervene in a bloody land dispute. The first half of the film is reminiscent of Chariots of Fire with our hero, as an army recruit, joining the athletic program to get better and more plentiful food then taking off as a natural runner. When things go bad back home he forms a gang and takes to the hills in some beautiful scenery and the movie veers into a more formulaic shoot out. Irrfan, one of India’s finest actors, carries this film along with the realistic depiction of village life in the Chambal Valley. No songs, no dancing and no snow clad peaks.

I knew nothing of Paan Singh Tomar before watching this biography and am really glad as it meant that the story was very surprising. Tomar was a very successful athlete, who specialised in the 3000m steeplechase whilst in the army. His life after the army took a course that, because I didn't know his story, was completely unexpected. Great acting from Irrfan Khan in the title role.
This film makes India my 12th country in the 30 countries challenge.

Bio-pics aren't my favourite type of film. What normally happens is the filmmakers seem in such a hurry to squeeze in all the big moments that the stuff tying it together is forgotten about. There's no doubt that the central performance here is very good, or even that the story itself is uninteresting. It just feels like scenes randomly cobbled together. Which is a shame as I was initially into this Indian film which may remind you of Chariots of Fire and possibly even something like Che. Backstories and relationships are painfully underdeveloped and just feels like a film of 2 or 3 moments with not much else. A shame.

Paan Singh Tomar (2010). This is a low budget indie film starring Irrfan Khan as the real life championship runner from the 1950’s who later reluctantly became a dacoit, or bandit, when corrupt officials failed to intervene in a bloody land dispute. The first half of the film is reminiscent of Chariots of Fire with our hero, as an army recruit, joining the athletic program to get better and more plentiful food then taking off as a natural runner. When things go bad back home he forms a gang and takes to the hills in some beautiful scenery and the movie veers into a more formulaic shoot out. Irrfan, one of India’s finest actors, carries this film along with the realistic depiction of village life in the Chambal Valley. No songs, no dancing and no snow clad peaks.

Watch it for Irrfan, who is terrific as Paan Singh Tomar.

An awesome biopic. Irrfan as the titular character gives the performance of a lifetime. Very topic and relevant as well. Its raw, rugged, rustic and rooted.