1983

In a remote village in Kerala named Brahmamangalam, cricket isn’t just a pastime—it’s a shared heartbeat that unites families, friends, and neighbors. From India’s victorious Cricket World Cup in 1983 to the present day, the film traces a two-generation journey built on passion, patience, and perseverance. The story follows Rameshan, a teenager whose natural talent at batting shines in local tournaments even as his academic record slips.

He is deeply in love with Manjula, a bright student who excels at school and eventually moves on to another college for higher education. Despite early wins on the field, his grades falter, and he fails his 12th board exams, a setback that strains the family’s hopes and finances. Yet his love for cricket remains unwavering, even as his father continues to press for an engineering path.

Manjula’s path diverges as she marries someone else, an Indian-American, leaving a void in Rameshan’s life and pushing him toward a quieter, more solitary chapter. He joins his father in running an electrical workshop and tries to keep the flame of cricket alive in a modest, grounded life. A period of depression follows the loss of the relationship, and the weight of unfulfilled dreams presses hard.

In the meantime, a new chapter begins with his wife, Susheela, who is largely unfamiliar with cricket yet stands by him through the ups and downs. Together they welcome a son named Kannan, who shows an early spark of interest in the sport, giving Rameshan a renewed sense of purpose. He devotes himself to coaching his boy, hoping to pass on his own love for the game and his belief that discipline and practice can pave a brighter path.

To bolster his son’s training, Rameshan takes him to the sports academy run by former state cricketer Vijay Menon. Financial struggles threaten to derail their dreams, but Susheela’s support becomes a steadying force in the face of hardship. Vijay suggests a route through the cricket academy of a trusted friend, offering a potential path for Kannan to advance. When the moment of opportunity arrives, Kannan makes a valiant effort to secure a place, but an injury—the ball striking his back tail—temporarily halts the race.

Undeterred, the bond between father and son deepens as they rally around one another, each setback tempered by shared hope. With the ongoing encouragement of his father and a community that believes in him, Rameshan helps build a bowling machine to sharpen his son’s pace and technique at home. The dream persists: a place for Kannan on the Under-14 district team, a milestone that would vindicate years of hard work and faith.

As the film closes, the voice of Rameshan reflects a quiet, enduring dream—the wish to someday see his son wear India’s jersey. Through hardship and heartbreak, triumph and tenderness, the story remains a warm, steady tribute to cricket as a family’s lifelong journey and a father’s unwavering belief in his child’s potential.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:05