2. • To call jersey just a story of an ex-cricketer Arjun who fights conventions to get selected in
the Indian cricket team is a grave injustice to the film, even if that’s how it sums itself up. It is
also the story of the love of his life Sarah, who struggles to stay in love with the man he has
become. It’s the story of assistant coach Murthy who sticks by an orphan through thick and
thin, even at his most irrational best, in hope that he will be able to aid him in achieving his
dream someday. But, most importantly, it’s the story of a father who’s so enamoured with his
son Nani that he would do anything to not stoop low in his eyes and get him the birthday gift
he always wanted.
3. • Despite the multiple threads and three different time frames that connect to Arjun, Gowtam
Tinnanuri does a stupendous job of not tangling them all up into a mess. Arjun is an ex-Ranji
player, the best right hand batsman of his time and a cocky man who’s unfortunately soon
grounded by reality. Sarah is the love of his life who marries him against her father’s wishes and
now struggles to stay in love with the shell he is. The once in love couple now constantly seem at
warring ends, but the ray of brightness in their life is their son Nani, whose brings in a refreshing
innocence to an otherwise hefty story. And then there’s assistant coach Murthy who pushes Arjun
to maximise his potential, even when the latter refuses to.
4. • While Nani also shines through in scenes that require him to play cricket, the scenes
between him and his son are the ones that steal your heart. Ronit Kamra nails his
performance as the seven year old son who sees his father as nothing less than a
superhero. The scenes between them don’t just radiate love, but also an understated
humour that keeps the film from being too serious. Shraddha Srinath makes an impressive
Telugu debut, as a woman who’s head-over-heels in love with her husband, but is still not
someone who will agree to put up with his carelessness. Sathyaraj breezes through his role
as the constant backbone Arjun needs.