Toolsidas Junior

An extraordinary tale unfolds around Toolsidas (Rajeev Kapoor), a brilliant snooker player who plays solely for the sake of his son, Midi (Varun Buddhadev). His journey takes a heartbreaking turn when he loses a major tournament to his long-time rival, Jimmy Tandon (Dalip Tahil). Engrossed in celebration after a hard-fought semi-final victory, Toolsidas succumbs to his weakness for alcohol, leading to his downfall during the finals where he finds himself inebriated after accepting Tandon’s invitation for a drink during a critical break. As a result, he loses the match and even shatters his cue in frustration.

Fast forward to 1994, the spotlight shifts to Midi, who becomes determined to realize his father’s unrealized dreams. His family, which includes his supportive mother, Toolsidas’ wife (Tasveer Kamil) and elder brother, Goti (Chinmai Chandrashuh), is reluctant to foster his love for snooker. Instead, Goti tries to guide Midi towards more lucrative sports like cricket, tennis, or golf, but Midi constantly struggles in these areas. Defying his brother’s wishes, Midi seeks training opportunities in snooker, starting with Mr. Tutu at the Calcutta Sports Club every Friday afternoon.

The Calcutta YMCA, located in a rundown area, becomes Midi’s training ground as he immerses himself in sharpening his snooker skills. Here he meets Mohammad Salaam (Sanjay Dutt), a former champion who now mentors underprivileged players. Although initially reluctant, Salaam begins to recognize Midi’s potential and starts offering him guidance. Through innovative methods that draw parallels from Bollywood hero narratives, they forge a strong mentor-student bond.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including Goti’s opposition and financial struggles, Midi perseveres, even refusing a family vacation in favor of his snooker training under Salaam’s watchful eye. When he encounters Pia (Sara Arjun), his crush from the sports club, her presence adds a new layer of complexity to Midi’s life, yet he remains oblivious to her affection.

As Midi navigates through the ups and downs of his training, he learns crucial lessons about finishing strong, just as he had trouble completing his meals. The story intensifies as he faces his father in a touching semi-final match, gambling on his father’s promise to quit drinking if he wins. Ultimately, through trials, resilience, and strategic naps during breaks to enhance his focus, Midi manages to defeat Tandon in the final, winning not just the tournament but also reclaiming his father’s respect and a sense of legacy.

Though the YMCA closes its doors in 2016, the ambitions kindled within its walls remain alive in Midi, who grows up to write and direct a film that captures this heartfelt journey. The narrative not only emphasizes the father-son bond but also showcases the transformative power of perseverance and mentorship in the pursuit of one’s dreams.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:06