“Love-All” is a lovely movie that beautifully intertwines the world of badminton with the tender relationship between a father and son. What’s truly fascinating about this film is that the entire cast consists of real-life badminton players, adding an authentic touch to the on-court action. Notably, India’s No. 1 men’s doubles badminton player, Deep Rambhiya, delivers a captivating performance as young Siddharth.
Kay Kay Menon, a versatile actor, shines in his portrayal of a father and husband, adding depth and authenticity to his character. If you’re looking for a heartfelt movie that combines sports and family dynamics, “Love-All” is a must-watch, currently playing in cinemas near you.
The film’s narrative centers around the promising career of a young badminton player, tragically cut short by a sinister conspiracy. Driven by anger and bitterness, he abandons the sport he once loved. “Love-All,” a sports drama directed by Sudhanshu Sharma, kicks off with the demise of one dream and highlights the emergence of another, set two decades apart.
Separated by time, these two dreams are united by a common thread – the railway colony in Bhopal, where the father honed his badminton skills. Alongside him are his wife, a school-going son (central to the budding journey that forms the film’s core), and a battered badminton racquet that holds memories of better days.
Love-All a truly inspirational entertainer
The story initially appears to follow the classic trope of an underdog’s triumphant journey. Unbeknownst to his father, the young boy stumbles upon badminton due to the sport’s mandatory inclusion at his new school. He quickly becomes enamored with the game but must confront various obstacles, with his father’s lack of enthusiasm for sports serving as the primary hurdle.
“Love-All” boasts a strong cast, with Kay Kay Menon in the lead role as Siddharth Sharma, the grown-up version of the gifted boy who was unjustly pushed out of badminton. Twenty years later, Siddharth’s son, Aaditya (played by Ark Jain), gravitates toward the sport, encouraged by his mother, his schoolteacher, and an old friend of his father’s who runs a sports goods shop.
A notable aspect of the film is the presence of several real-life badminton players in significant on-screen roles, lending authenticity to the sporting sequences. While “Love-All” underscores the dedication and effort required to excel in any sport, the story follows familiar sports movie tropes, revolving around clichés about life and dreams.
Inevitably, most sports films center on a protagonist’s fall from grace and triumphant return. “Love-All” adheres to this pattern, pitting a middle-class boy against a cocky rival from a privileged background, creating an intense competition under the watchful eye of the local badminton association’s influential head.
However, the film misses an opportunity to delve deeper into social issues. It briefly touches upon issues like caste discrimination and the unifying power of sports but doesn’t explore these themes in depth. The narrative does not clarify Siddharth’s stance on his neighbor’s narrow-mindedness, leaving it unresolved.
Nonetheless, “Love-All” does succeed in portraying the passion and intensity of badminton when it focuses on the sport itself. The film’s strength lies in its genuine depiction of on-court action, aided by actual badminton players in the cast.
The second half of the film is dedicated to a sub-junior national tournament where Aaditya, a wild card, faces off against Shourya, the No. 1 player, in a bid to stay in the championship. While the sports action is engaging, the accompanying commentary can be distracting, highlighting a common issue in Indian sports films.
A pivotal confrontation in the film calls out the political interference that plagues many sports associations in India. This conflict underscores the challenges faced by genuine sports enthusiasts striving to reform the system.
Kay Kay Menon delivers an effective performance, allowing badminton to take the spotlight without resorting to melodrama. While female characters like Swastika Mukherjee and Shriswara Dubey play significant roles, the film primarily revolves around the sport.
In the end, “Love-All” is a testament to the power of badminton. While it could have delved deeper into its thematic elements, the film still scores points for its sincere effort to blend sports and family drama. So, if you’re a fan of badminton or simply enjoy sports-centric movies, “Love-All” is worth a watch.