Pravin Tambe hazir hai

Though the movie is called Kaun Pravin Tambe?, it's making sure we all know, and appreciate, cricketer Pravin Tambe. When this writer watched it, days before turning 40, she realised that age was just a number. It's what the new cricket biopic had hoped to do, says its star Shreyas Talpade, whose last big outing was Golmaal Again in 2017. Talpade plays the man in the centre of it all, Pravin Tambe. He thinks the movie is less about cricket, and more about the spirit of the sport and not giving up.

Tambe, who after a frustrating but inspiring career, is now consulting with KKR for the 2022 IPL season, has a unique claim to fame - he was the oldest IPL debutant ever for Rajasthan Royals in 2013, and played an IPL match without ever playing professional cricket. The movie, which is about the four decades before he achieved his dream, is a masterclass in how to keep going to pursue a dream, even if having to take up menial jobs along the way, fend off judgment, and being collateral damage to the system.

Pravin Tambe takes a catch to dismiss Ben Dunk of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots during the Hero Caribbean Premier League match 29 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on September 6, 2020, in Trinidad And Tobago. Pic/Getty Images

As Tambe went from a Mulund chawl where he lived, to working as a peon after college, to playing club cricket, to being an employee of DY Patil Sports Academy, he never lost hope. The day he was spotted by Rahul Dravid, later his chief mentor at Rajasthan Royals, his life took the turn he had only dreamt of. In an interview with mid-day, Talpade and Tambe tell us why the movie, directed by Jayprad Desai, has given them both a second lease of life.

Edited excerpts.

Pravin, you must have been inundated with messages after the movie's release.

Does everyone now know Pravin Tambe?
The reaction has been great. People have told me that their world view has changed, they now want to try and give their best to whatever they do. After seeing the portrayal of my struggle, they realise that they have had it easy.

What was that one decision you took that brought you here, you think?
Even though I wanted to play cricket, I didn't wish to neglect my family. It was always at the back of my mind, whatever happens, I need to have a job, so that I can fulfil my responsibilities. But I also chose jobs where I could pursue my dream and worked with companies that had cricket teams. I was lucky in that aspect; I think luck came my way because of my positive approach. Everything that has happened in my life has happened because of this game, it has given me a lot. If you love something, just make sure you give your 100 per cent to it.

Shreyas Talpade

But what happens when a person feels they are running out of time, getting older and things aren't turning out the way they expected?
To be honest, I never thought about my age. I am not saying it because I am successful now. I know what I can do. I just thought about performing. When at my job, I would only thinking about job, and the fact that it gave me money. I have taken on so many tasks, I have even worked as peon after graduating. I did it because it helped me and the family.

Shreyas, what did you know of Pravin before you met him?
I had seen Pravin play in 2013, when he debuted. I remember seeing him, and saying, "Who is this?" People told me he debuted at 41. And all of us watching him exclaimed, "Really!" I thought, kisi ke pehchaan se aaya hai kya? [Did he get a chance because he knew someone important?] Who debuts at 41? Of course, he was performing better than the youngsters. I was happy at his success, although I had no clue who he was. When I realised I was going to play him, I wanted to know what happened in the decades before he played professionally. It felt like I was meeting a brother; there was no ice to break. Then we spoke about cricket and the film, there was no awkwardness. It was like two friends meeting after long.

Did Shreyas get you right, Pravin?
Absolutely. The way he was bowling, the way he was walking. I thought it was me.

What are you going to take back from this character, Shreyas?
Age is just a number. This is the line Pravin believes in, and I am doing it too. We are conditioned to think abhi chalis ka ho gaya, ab kya roles milenge. But Pravin has changed that narrative, and given us hope and confidence to go out there and achieve our dreams. That's my biggest takeaway. The way things were going in my career, I was also thinking, what now? When I played Iqbal, people saw a serious character in me, and then I became a funny actor. So they said, ‘He is a good actor, but maybe this is it'. This film has changed things overnight. It has helped me redefine myself. My career has not being great, and I had been written off.

So you could relate to Pravin's struggle.
Completely. When you are going through a rough patch in your career, and this is the subject that you are handed, you pour everything you have into it. That's what happened. The fact that people are relating to it, and feeling that it is their story is no surprise. I could identify with his struggle and pain. I was going through it as well. I called Pravin the other night and said, "How are you feeling?" And he said, "I watched the film again, and don't feel bad, but I didn't see you. I only saw me. This is my life."

What has sport, known to be a teacher of life lessons, taught you both?
Pravin: When I go on the ground, I forget everything, I forget I have family. People like to play short format, but I like to stay on ground for hours. Even if I am down, when I set foot on the field, I am enthused with a different energy. Cricket's my life.

Shreyas: I think for us actors also, when you step on set or on stage, you forget everything else. It's some other energy that takes over. It's divine intervention, and we go with the flow. Even if we are not well, we forget everything. I consider us fortunate that we know what it is that we love, and we are getting to pursue it. It's a blessing.