T-Series Films and Ashutosh Gowariker Productions Pvt. Ltd.’s Toolsidas Junior is a sports-based drama about a father and son.
Toolsidas (Rajiv Kapoor) wants to win a snooker tournament against champion Jimmy Tandon (Dalip Tahhil) as he wants to prove to his son, Toolsidas Junior (master Varun Buddhadev), that he can be a champ. The film is set in Calcutta of 1994.
Mridul has written a story which has some emotional moments but the biggest drawback is that snooker is neither a very popular game nor a game which is exciting like cricket or football. The screenplay, penned by Mridul and Ashutosh Gowariker, moves at a fairly fast pace. However, the track of ‘romance’ between the kids looks far-fetched and, if one may say so, unwarranted. At several points, the screenplay moves on the predictable path. Mridul’s dialogues are alright.
Rajiv Kapoor does an average job in the role of Toolsidas. Also, he is unable to carry the film on his shoulders. Sanjay Dutt is quite good as Mohammed Salaam. Master Varun Buddhadev performs confidently as Toolsidas Junior. Dalip Tahhil makes his presence felt as Jimmy Tandon. Tasveer Kamil, Chinmay Chandraunshuh, Sara Arjun, Barun Chanda, Badrul Islam, Don Ray, Rajinder Sharma Nanu, Benjamin Yangal and Ashish Shukla lend fair support.
Mridul’s direction is decent. The subject has been handled with a fair amount of maturity. Daniel B. George’s music and background music are so-so. Swanand Kirkire’s lyrics are of a good standard. Kamaljeet Negi’s camerawork is alright. Manini Mishra’s production designing is average. Chandrashekhar Prajapati’s editing is quite sharp.
On the whole, Toolsidas Junior is an average fare but with bleak box-office chances because of poor promotion, lack of popularity of the snooker game, and Rajiv Kapoor not being a saleable name.
Released on 4-3-’22 at Sterling (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru AA Films. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.