Watch Egaro - The Eleven
- 2011
- 117 hr
Egaro - The Eleven is a heartwarming Bengali sports drama film based on the true story of the historic Mohun Bagan football team that won the Indian Football Association Shield in 1911, which was a landmark moment for Indian football. The movie showcases the struggles and unity of the football team in their journey towards creating history.
The film is set in the early 1900s when India was under British rule, and sports, especially football, was growing in popularity among the Indian masses. The story revolves around the character of Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari, played by Shankar Chakraborty, who is a sports enthusiast and a part of the Mohun Bagan Club. Nagendra is tasked with forming a team to compete in the prestigious Indian Football Association Shield.
Despite facing several challenges in assembling a team, Nagendra's resilience and determination led him to put together a team of eleven players, who come from diverse backgrounds and regions. The team includes players such as Shibdas Bhaduri, played by Ranodeep Bose, who is a skilled footballer from a lower caste and considered an outcast in society.
The training sessions and practice matches that the team undergoes are shown in great detail in the film. The audience can see the passion and dedication that these players put into their training, as they prepare to compete against the British team in the final match.
As the final approaches, tensions are high both on and off the field. The British team, which comprises seasoned players and is considered to be the favorite, looks down upon the Mohun Bagan team, considering them as amateurs. However, the Mohun Bagan team is determined to prove their worth and create history.
The final match is portrayed in an intense and exhilarating manner, with the audience on the edge of their seats as they watch the players put up a strong fight against their opponents. The chemistry and teamwork between the players are remarkable, as they showcase their individual skills and their ability to work together towards a common goal.
Egaro - The Eleven is a well-executed sports drama that highlights the importance of unity, determination, and resilience. The film showcases the struggles and hardships that the team faced, not just in forming the team but also in gaining recognition and respect from society. The aspect of societal discrimination and prejudice against people from lower castes is also touched upon in the movie, adding a layer of depth and social relevance to the narrative.
The performances by the lead actors, Shankar Chakraborty and Ranodeep Bose, are praiseworthy as they bring their respective characters to life with great conviction and emotional depth. The supporting cast also does a commendable job in portraying their characters effectively.
The film's cinematography and direction by Arun Roy are impressive, as he captures the beauty and the rawness of Kolkata in the early 1900s, and also effectively portrays the intensity and excitement of a football match.
In conclusion, Egaro - The Eleven is a must-watch for sports enthusiasts and fans of inspirational stories. The movie celebrates the spirit of sportsmanship and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of hardship and adversity. It is an ode to the brave men who created history by winning the Indian Football Association Shield in 1911 and also serves as a reminder of India's rich and diverse sporting culture.