Over the years, the lives of Chambal Valley’s dacoits have provided storylines for many a screenplay in Indian films. From the idealistic Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai to the dramatic Gunga Jumna to the compassionate Mujhe Jeene De to the hard-hitting Bandit Queen (and not to speak of countless other none-too-distinguished fares), ‘Dacoit Films’ has proved to be quite a colorful and commercially successful genre. Now writer-director Tigmanshu Dhulia adds another dacoit- saga to this long list and one that leaves its own indelible mark through its realistic portrayal.

Anyone who has seen the well-made promos of this film can tell us that the film is based on the true-to-life story of Paan Singh Tomar, an ex-army soldier, an ex-National record-breaking athlete, who turned into a feared dacoit in his later years. The very fact that this one-line summary immediately arouses curiosity to know more about the man is the major reason of the film’s success. Because well-begun is half-done! Thankfully Dhulia’s film doesn’t just end up being half-done and we get to experience a well-done fare, which manages to keep us glued to the screen right till the end.

Paan Singh Tomar owes its excellence mainly to Dhulia’s well-researched story and clear-headed direction and Irrfan’s brilliant performance. Together they sketch the life of a man, who starts off as a village simpleton giving his all to his country but who is later forced to take the law into his own hands as he finds himself exploited and abandoned by the system.

Just after the Independence, Paan Singh joins army as a soldier. This typically simple, rustic man from Rajasthan turns into a multiple medal-winning steeplechaser only thanks to his quirky penchant for food and his willingness to do anything for his respected officers. After spending almost twenty years in military service, he returns to his village to look after his family farm. But unfortunately his own cousin, a village strongman grabs his land to leave him high and dry. Tomar’s pleas for justice fall on deaf ears and his family members, including his old mother are subjected to violence. Driven to the wall, the retired soldier now takes up arms and unites his clan members to hit back against his oppressors. Now he is Paan Singh Tomar, the dreaded dacoit. Thus starts the vicious circle of crime and punishment!

It is not an unusual story, a just a simple story that is well-told. Paan Singh’s simplicity, his love for his family, his respect towards his officers, his dedication towards his sport, his frustration at his humiliation, his sadness at becoming an outlaw and his pride in everything that he does….the story and Irrfan’s performance beautifully captures the essence of the man.

The locations, the language and the action scenes seem true to life. Irrfan as Paan Singh Tomar is the life and soul of the movie and yet Mahi Gill (as his wife), Rajendra Gupta (as his athletics coach) and Vipin Sharma(as his commanding officer) make their mark in their roles.

Besides telling a compelling tale of a good man going on to the wrong side of law, Paan Singh Tomar also shows how our national heroes are left to fend for themselves, while the so-called ‘leaders’ are busy making a mockery of the system.

When asked by a journalist how he turned into a dacoit, Paan Singh caustically comments, “In the ravines there are rebels; the dacoits are there in the parliament!”

The film actually makes us realize that sad truth!