Rashmi Rocket Review

Introduction

In the Hindi movie "Rashmi Rocket," Rashmi Vira, a sprinter from a tiny village, is required to take a sex confirmation test while her athletic career is at its height. The video, which was produced by Akarsh Khurana, examines how gender testing in athletics is problematic and how the institutions in place do not adequately safeguard the athletes who are subjected to it.

"Rashmi Rocket" fights for the rights of female athletes by opposing injustices and societal standards. It's only logical to question if "Rashmi Rocket" also incorporates real-life individuals and events since prominent Bollywood biopics about sprinters, including "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" and "Paan Singh Tomar," are based on the lives of genuine athletes. Let's find out if "Rashmi Rocket" is centered on a real-life event.

Plot

Two male police officers storm into a ladies' hostel at the beginning of the film with an allegation that a guy is residing in the women's hostel and pull Rashmi (Taapsee Pannu) from her room in order to detain her.

Since she was a little girl, Rashmi has run at a very rapid rate. Her father has always supported both of her tomboyish characteristics and her running. She loses her dad in the Bhuj earthquake while she was competing in her school competition. She keeps getting faster and more agile, but after the pain of losing her father, she chooses to stop competing in sprinting competitions.

She rescues an army soldier from a landmine while serving as a guide for a group of army soldiers in her hometown. She and her mother, Bhanuben, a strong-willed local lady, are persuaded to participate in competitive sports by army commander Gagan Thakur (Priyanshu Painyuli), who observes her exceptional speed. She receives encouragement and support from her mom and her two brothers.

Rashmi wins every significant race in the nation and wows the selection committee. Despite not being in training, she gets chosen for the national squad based on her inherent skill. She is taunted for being macho by the selector's daughter, Niharika Chopra, who is her competition. Like a normal school bully, Niharka continues to make fun of her and plans ways to diminish her.

She doesn't pass the hyperandrogenism test since her testosterone levels aren't much greater than those of the ordinary woman. Niharika and her pals make fun of her for acting more like a male than a woman when she gets back to her dorm. Rashmi is shocked and upset, and when she gets angry and starts fighting, Niharika suffers a minor injury.

Later, after receiving a complaint that a boy was staying in a hostel for girls, Rashmi was taken into custody and placed in a male cell.

Gagan Thakur, an army officer, saves Rashmi. Even before the results of the test are released, the media is made aware of the gender test, and there is a huge outcry.

Rashmi is suspended by the sports authority due to elevated testosterone levels. Rashmi is misrepresented in the media as not being a woman and as experiencing a lot of bullying. Rashmi's family and the residents of her hometown show varying degrees of support.

When the lawyer Ishit Mehta (Abhishek Banerjee) pays her a visit, Rashmi's mother tries to get her to file a lawsuit over the sports authority. When Rashmi refuses, her mother begs her to go since her house is not a place for cowards. Rashmi then leaves her home and moves in with Gagan.

Gagan recommends that they be married and offers his support. His family and close friends attend the little ceremony where they exchange vows.

Gagan encourages Rashmi to continue practising in the anticipation that the ban would soon be lifted. After hearing Niharika speak negatively about her on television, Rashmi is convinced to file a case over the sports officials for unfair testing and banning, in addition to against law enforcement for human rights violation.

Rashmi is discovered to be three months pregnant in the meanwhile. Gagan and Rashmi are overjoyed, and Rashmi reconciles with her mother. Ishit is eager to utilise this knowledge to support the argument for lifting the restriction, but Rashmi forbids him from doing so, arguing that it is not only her situation and that all female athletes should be exempt from arbitrary gender tests.

During the course of the investigation, it was found that Priyanka, Niharika's friend, contacted the police station at Mr. Chopra's direction to report that "a boy" was residing at the ladies' dormitory. The sports authority asks Mr. Chopra to quit, and his daughter Niharika does not stand by him and keeps a distance.

The court rules that the police should be subject to an inquiry for violating Rashmi's human rights and unfairly detaining her. The prohibition imposed on Rashmi is removed when Ishit successfully defends her. Her family and community celebrate. Despite being pregnant, Rashmi participates in the race, and the movie has a happy ending.

Review

Rashmi Rocket isn't simply about that crucial final game, as is the case with most sports dramas. However, the compelling narrative by Nanda Periyasamy, the astute screenplay by Aniruddha Guha, and the skillful directing by Akarsh Khurana keep you interested from the start till the courtroom scene at the conclusion. "Rashmi Rocket" is more like a drama in the courtroom with a hotly contested, current issue that serves as a catalyst for conversation. The movie never succumbs to preachiness or overt patriotism, though.

It does occasionally get comfortable, and you start to question if the female athletes who have truly experienced discrimination and identity crises due to their genes are privileged, like the main character. Because their lives are considerably harsher in reality. Of course, it is the ideal circumstance, and the movie argues that these women should be given the opportunity to live regular lives and have their voices heard. Particularly after a single exam not only kills their job but additionally makes them the target of prejudice and ridicule.

Taapsee Pannu yet again demonstrates her mettle by emotionally and physically capturing Rashmi's demeanor. The actress doesn't skip an opportunity when it comes to letting us empathise with her character as she struggles to both celebrate Rashmi's win and bear her suffering. Instead of only presenting her a few colours darker, her makeup might have given her a more realistic appearance.

When acting in sports films, male actors frequently lose excess weight and build muscle to resemble athletes. It is wonderful to watch Taapsee Pannu pull off a similar accomplishment for Rashmi Rocket in Bollywood, where heroines are typically required to seem delicate and attractive. The actor is able to successfully make the shift from a well-known athlete to a lady fighting for justice once her gender is openly questioned because of a humiliating practice.

Rashmi Rocket serves as a loud slap to all haters who never hesitate to raise an eyebrow and make derogatory remarks when a lady doesn't meet their ideal of what constitutes femininity.

Priyanshu Painyuli matches footsteps with Taapsee and aids her in crossing the finish line when it comes to making an excellent film, just like his supporting boyfriend-turned-husband onscreen persona. As the lawyer, Abhishek Banerjee maintains a low profile, and it is this separation from the troupe that benefits him. You feel good when Supriya Pathak and Taapsee Pannu are together.

Varun Badola, Mantra, Akash Khurana, Shweta Tripathi, and the rest of the cast all do well in their respective parts.

When it comes to capturing the white sand dunes and the aesthetic beauty of Bhuj, Neha Parti Matiyani's camera does wonders. When Taapsee hits the ground, she uses over-the-top and up-close views of the actress to produce some wonderful tense and exhilarating moments. The editing by Ajay Sharma & Shweta Venkat is effective.

When it comes to music, Rashmi Rocket has something fresh to give. Although the words of "Ghani Cool Chori" are memorable, the song's visual appeal is lacking. Zidd falls short of having a catchy, motivational song. 'Rann Ma Kutchh' & 'Zindagi Tere Naam', the remaining two tracks, also fall flat.

The trial moments' accompanying music seems a little out of place. Despite not having a very vast scope, the movie does what the story asks of it. The crucial racecourse sequences, which are long views of a stadium filled with fans roaring, come to life with energy.

Rashmi Rocket, which has strong performances, succeeds in its mission to enlighten, amuse, and educate viewers about an antiquated practise that ought to be abandoned entirely in the fight against inequity and bigotry. Additionally, this film strongly advocates against gender discrimination in sports, a practise that has traumatised many women over decades, and it also supports LGBTQIA+ athletes.