The film's preview shows were released on 10 April 2024. Theatrically the film was released worldwide on 11 April 2024, coinciding with Eid.[7] Despite a positive critical reception, the film underperformed at the box office.[8]
Plot
Spanning from 1952 to 1962, the film chronicles the life and journey of Syed Abdul Rahim, an esteemed football coach who revolutionized the sport in India. Due to his immense contribution in football, the Indian Football Team was called "Brazil of Asia" where they played in a 4-2-4 formation.
Rahim's determination, leadership, and vision propelled him to become an iconic figure in Indian sports history. It captures the challenges, sacrifices, and triumphant moments of both Rahim and the Indian football team as they strive to overcome societal obstacles and etch their names on the global stage. That lead India earn 2 gold medals in 1951 Asian Games and 1962 Asian Games while India Football Team became Asia's first ever football team to qualify for the Semi Finals of 1956 Summer Olympics.
Principal photography commenced on 19 August 2019 and experienced long delays due to COVID-19 pandemic and Cyclone Nisarga ultimately ending in May 2022.[9][10] The film was scheduled to release in theatres on 3 June 2022 but was delayed due to impending post-production works. The film was set to be released on 23 June 2023 but was delayed again.[11][12]
The film was made on a budget of Rs. 250 crore.[13]
Music
The music of the film is composed by A. R. Rahman while lyrics are written by Manoj Muntashir. The first single titled "Mirza" was released on 18 March 2024.[14] The second single titled "Team India Hain Hum" was released on 27 March 2024.
The film had paid previews on 10 April 2024, before releasing nationwide a day later on 11 April coinciding with Eid, in standard formats and IMAX.[15]
India Today’s Sana Farzeen rated the movie 4 out of 5 stars and said “Ajay Devgn strikes gold, yet again”[18]
Bollywood Hungama critic rated 4 out of 5 stars and wrote "Maidaan is one of the finest sports-based films of Bollywood that rests on a National Award-worthy performance by Ajay Devgn."[19]
Shubhra Gupta from The Indian Express rated the film 2.5/5 and wrote “… makes you want to clap, cheer and shed a proud tear.” and said “Ajay Devgn plays Syed Abdul Rahim with a patent sincerity and only a hint of the slo-mo swagger. His rag-tag team has the kind of composition so syncretic that it makes you ache with nostalgia.”[20]
Dhaval Roy of The Times of India gave 4 stars out of 5 and said, "Ajay Devgn shines as Rahim, becoming a larger-than-life figure despite a quiet, understated, dignified demeanour. Priyamani, as his wife Saira, is impressive in every scene. Gajraj Rao, as the devious journalist, hits it out of the park."[22]
Punjab Kesari wrote, "Presenting the biography of a person related to sports on screen is no less than a challenge, but director Amit Sharma not only accepted this challenge gladly but he was successful in it."[23]
Vinamra Mathur from Firstpost said, "With Maidaan, Sharma, and writer Riteish Shah want to take us through the 50’s and show what the game meant for India", and rated the movie 3 stars out of 5.[24]
Rishil Jogani from Pinkvilla gave the movie 3.5 stars out of 5 and said, "Maidaan is a work of passion, that can only be envisioned by someone who is really passionate to tell the underdog story of the Indian National Football Team."[25]
Mayapuri Magazine reviewed the movie stating, "Maidaan is the movie which will stay with you for years to come", and gave 4 stars out of 5.[26]
Simran Srivastav from English Jagran said, "'Maidaan' has been made with passion which is impeccably shown on the big screen. The stellar performances of every actor in 'Maidaan' truly elevate the movie and make it more interesting to watch", and gave 3.5 out of 5 stars.[27]
Anuj Kumar of The Hindu stated "Maidaan needs to be populated as one hopes that it spurs the young generation to take their love for the game from screens to the field and prove the saying that Rahim took Indian football to grave with him wrong."[28]
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