Jersey

About the film

Jersey is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language sports drama film written and directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, in his Hindi directorial debut. It is a remake of his 2019 Telugu film of the same title. It stars Shahid Kapoor as a former cricketer who returns to the game for his son's wish of buying a Jersey T- Shirt, alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pankaj Kapoor. The film is produced by Geetha Arts, Dil Raju Production, Sithara Entertainments and Brat Films.

The film was officially announced in October 2019. Principal photography commenced in Chandigarh in December 2019 and ended in December 2020, amidst delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jersey was originally scheduled for a theatrical release on 28 August 2020 but was postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was theatrically released on 22 April 2022. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics who praised Kapoor's performance, Jersey was a failure at the box office.

Plot

26-year-old Arjun Talwar is an extraordinary cricketer from Chandigarh with the highest batting average in all of India and 106 half-centuries, fifty-two centuries, nine double centuries and two triple centuries to his name. Following the 1985-86 Duleep Trophy finals, Arjun awaits news of his selection in the India national team, only to find out his inclusion in the list was a misprint. Following this, he quits cricket. Arjun then applies for a job in the food sector and shortly after marries his girlfriend Vidya, with whom he has a son named Ketan, nicknamed Kittu. However, sometime in the early 1990s, Arjun is suspended from his job on corruption charges, although he is innocent.

In 1996, Arjun lives with Vidya and Kittu in a dilapidated house in Chandigarh, with Vidya struggling to make ends meet as a hotel receptionist. There is a flashback to their love story. Vidya marries Arjun despite her father's opposition.

Meanwhile in the present, Kittu loves playing cricket, much like Arjun did. He wishes to get a jersey of the Indian national team for his upcoming birthday. Arjun tries getting one, but finds out it is very expensive; he then tries to loan the jersey in vain and Vidya refuses to lend him money for the same. His friends try pooling funds for the jersey, but fall quite short of the budget. Arjun's former coach Baali Sir approaches him to inform him of an upcoming charity match between Punjab and New Zealand, with players' fees included. Arjun's friend lies that Arjun has agreed to play, forcing Arjun to practice for the match late at night.

Production

Speculations for a remake of the Telugu film Jersey (2019) began soon after its release. Later it was reported that Shahid Kapoor has been roped in to star as the lead actor while Shraddha Kapoor was considered for the female lead. In August 2019, Kannada actress Rashmika Mandanna was considered to play the female lead in this film and it will be her Hindi debut film. Official announcement was made on 14 October that year, confirming all the cast and crew. But later Mrunal Thakur was finalised to cast in the movie Shahid's father Pankaj Kapur was roped in to portray Coach Murthy. The principal photography commenced on 14 December 2019 in Chandigarh.

While filming in January 2020, it was reported that Shahid Kapoor received thirteen stitches during a scene, though he later recovered. The filming was halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The filming was resumed in October 2020, production moved to Dehradun and filming took place at the all-boys' boarding school, The Doon School, and Kasiga School. Doon's cricket grounds, buildings and pavilion feature in the film and the trailer. The final schedule of the film took place at the Mohali Stadium in Punjab, and strict bio bubbles and quarantine rules were put in place for the safety of cast and crew. The filming wrapped up on 14 December 2020.

Music

The film's songs are composed by Sachet–Parampara while the lyrics are written by Shellee. The film score is composed by Anirudh Ravichander who composed the score and soundtrack for the original Telugu version. The film version of 'Jind Meriye' is sung by Javed Ali. 'Maiyya Mainu' second version was sung by Sakshi Holkar.

Release

Jersey was released on 22 April 2022. The film was initially scheduled to be theatrically released on 28 August 2020 and then on 5 November 2021, before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed production. It was later on again finalised for cinema release on 31 December 2021, but was indefinitely postponed due to the Omicron variant spread. Release date was revised later as 14 April 2022, but it was pushed by a week to avoid clash with Beast and K.G.F: Chapter 2.

The film premiered on Netflix on 20 May 2022.

The film was distributed in India by Balaji Motion Pictures and Pen Marudhar Entertainment while overseas distribution was done by Yash Raj Films and Phars Film Co.

Reception

Jersey earned ₹3.75 crore at the domestic box office on its opening day. On the second day, the film collected ₹5.50 crore. On the third day, the film collected ₹5.50 crore, taking total domestic weekend collection to ₹14.75 crore.

As of 7 May 2022, the film grossed ₹22.65 crore in India and ₹4.47 crore overseas, for a worldwide gross collection of ₹27.12 crore. Jersey performed poorly at the box office despite positive reception from critics. Ganesh Aaglave of Firstpost attributed to the film's failure to the box office clash with K.G.F: Chapter 2, a recent overdose of remakes of South Indian films, availability of the Hindi dubbed version of the original film on YouTube for free, and average music compared to Shahid Kapoor's previous remake film Kabir Singh (2019).

Key details