Critical response
Poorna Banerjee from Times Of India reviewed the film and said that Dabaru is inspired by Grandmaster Surya Sekhar Ganguly’s life. It follows young Souro, a chess prodigy from a poor family in North Kolkata. His grandfather (Dipankar Dey) teaches him chess with his mother Karuna's (Rituparna Sengupta) support, despite his father’s objections. Souro meets his coach (Chiranjeet), who trains him to compete and pursue his dream of becoming a Grandmaster. Director Pathikrit Basu keeps the pace quick, while cinematographer Madhura Palit beautifully captures North Kolkata's streets, with sharp editing that highlights details like old chess sets.
The story resembles Dangal but focuses on family bonds. A deeper explanation of chess could benefit those unfamiliar with the game, yet the film primarily emphasizes relationships. Samadarshi Sarkar delivers a natural performance as young Souro, and Arghya Basu Roy portrays the teenage version effectively. Dipankar Dey plays the hopeful grandfather, while Rituparna Sengupta embodies the dedicated mother. Shankar Chakravarty shows notable growth as Souro’s father, and Chiranjeet shines as Coach Rathijit. The music, including the title track Dabaru and the romantic song Jhogra kori chol, is enjoyable. Although the second half loses some intensity, Dabaru remains engaging, making it worth watching even for those less familiar with chess.[20]
The Telegraph highlights that sports biopics are rare in Bengali cinema, especially about a young chess prodigy. Director Pathikrit Basu deserves praise for telling the story of Grandmaster Surya Sekhar Ganguly, though the film focuses more on Souro’s bond with his mother. Souro, a boy from North Kolkata with a talent for chess, gets support from his grandfather Nabin (Dipankar Dey) and mother Karuna (Rituparna Sengupta) as they help train him. Coach Rathindra Chakraborty (Chiranjeet) discovers Souro at a tournament, but Souro faces challenges like a lack of sponsors and difficulties accessing government support. After a family emergency, coaching shifts to Samiran (Koushik Sen), whose strict methods and Souro's teenage romance distract him from his goal of becoming a Grandmaster.
The film leans into melodrama, featuring loud dialogue, and some subplots, such as a money lender (Kharaj Mukherjee) and nosy neighbors (Biswanath Basu and Sanghasree Sinha), do not enhance the story. It also lacks the excitement of chess, often showing pieces moving without explaining the game’s strategy. The bond between Souro, his mother, and grandfather is central. Dipankar Dey conveys hope as the grandfather, while Rituparna Sengupta shows a mother finding joy in her son’s success. Samadarshi Sarkar is natural as young Souro, and Arghya Basu Roy impresses as the teenager. Chiranjeet is a likable coach, and Koushik Sen leaves an impression as the strict coach. Madhura Palit’s cinematography captures Kolkata in the 1980s and ’90s, creating beautiful visuals with light and shadow.[2]
In a review from ChessBase India, the writer reflects on the film Dabaru, inspired by the life of Grandmaster Surya Sekhar Ganguly. It begins with young Souro learning important life lessons through chess, like the saying, "You should never attack an unarmed king." The reviewer expresses excitement about a Bangla film centered on chess and shares their experience watching it with family in Hyderabad, despite a small audience turnout. They appreciate the effort to make chess relatable, using elements from battles and explaining terms like stalemate and Zugzwang. The film also addresses the struggles of a middle-class family, portraying poverty with vivid detail.
The relationship between Souro and his grandfather is central to the story, highlighting the vital role of grandparents. Rituparna Sengupta's portrayal of Souro's mother is praised for its emotional depth, showcasing her worries and hopes. The character of Rathindra, Souro's coach, embodies the importance of guidance without imposing rigid ideas. The film includes a charming subplot involving Souro's friendship with Debangana, adding depth to his character. While the reviewer felt the film could have been shorter and the writing crisper, they enjoyed the overall experience and noted that the film's message about hope and perseverance resonated. They encourage others to watch Dabaru when it becomes available on OTT platforms.[1]
OTTPlay's review notes that chess chooses Souro, not the other way around. This unique pairing of a young boy from North Kolkata and the sport could create compelling drama, but the film falls into clichéd melodrama. The dialogues are often excessively loud and dull, making conversations feel unrealistic.
Rituparna, Shankar Chakraborty (Souro’s father), and Kaushik Sen (Samiran, the arrogant coach) deliver strong performances. Samadarshi shines as young Souro, while Arghya Basu Roy (teenage Souro) has mixed moments. Dipankar Dey is fine as Nabin, and the bond between him and Souro is heartfelt. Chiranjeet’s character suffers from weak dialogue and delivery.
The soundtrack dominates the film, often overpowering the narrative. While some songs are enjoyable, the lyrics are often inaudible..[21]
