‘Sarpatta’ and ‘Kanaa’: Understanding how these sports dramas got the game right as ‘Bigil’ and ‘Bison’ received mixed reactions |
Sports-centric stories in Tamil cinema have always had a special appeal among fans. Sports are not just about competition; they have many layers to them, such as discipline, hard work, failure, success, self-confidence, and socio-political aspects. If these emotions can be captured and shown authentically on screen, it easily connects the audience. Especially the youth, who want to see their dreams and struggles in sports stories. That’s why when a good sports drama comes along, expectations for it are always high.
When sports films drift away from the core?
But many Tamil sports films fail to live up to that expectation, mainly because they end up being more of a commercial film than a true sports drama. The technology of the game, the training, the pressure of competition, and the player’s mentality are not explored in depth. Instead, the game is used as a mere backdrop. As a result, the intensity and authenticity that are typical of that genre are not properly conveyed on screen.
Times when romance and family sentiment dilute the sports narrative
Another major problem is the unnecessary romantic scenes and family sentiment. In many sports movies, the game, which should be the center of the story, disappears in the middle. When the story changes direction, such as hero-heroine love, motherly sentiment, and family problems, the intensity of the game decreases. As a result, fans start seeing the film not as a sports drama but as a typical melodrama, creating a situation that undermines the very identity of the genre.
Some well-made sports dramas
At the same time, there are some great films in Tamil cinema that have approached sports properly. Venkat Prabhu‘s directorial ‘Chennai 28’ featuring a set of young stars showed cricket not as just a competition, but as a symbol of friendship and team spirit. Pa Ranjith’s ‘Sarpatta Parambarai’ combined boxing with socio-political and personal struggle. While Aishwarya Rajesh ‘Kanaa’ spoke of the power of women’s cricket and dreams, ‘Irudhi Suttru’ deeply documented the training, self-confidence, and recovery of a female athlete. In all these films, sports are at the heart of the story.
Films that missed the mark
In contrast, many feel that films like ‘Bison’, ‘Bigil’, ‘Kennedy Club’, and ‘Jada’ did not fully live up to expectations. In some films, politics or messages became too much, and sports became the backdrop; in others, commercial aspects overwhelmed the story. Those films failed to fully engage fans because they failed to truly show the nuances of the game and the mindset of the players.If sports dramas in Tamil cinema want to be a big success, they must first place sports at the center of the story. Only when authenticity and emotion combine will that genre take a permanent place in the hearts of fans.
