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The Bollywood movie Maidaan tells the story of Syed Abdul Rahim, a legendary football manager who deserves huge credit for the rise of Indian football in the late-1900s.
Starring Ajay Devgn in the main role, the film’s trailer begins with his voice-over as he says: “We aren’t the largest country, neither the richest. Half the world doesn’t know us. Football can create our identity because the whole world plays football. So, India needs to focus on making a world-class team for the next 10 years.”
Rahim was the coach of the national team from 1950 to 1963. During that period, regarded as the “Golden Age of Indian Football”, the country secured Asian Games golds in 1951 and 1962.
Born on Aug 17, 1909, in Hyderabad, Rahim took a teaching job in his early days, before becoming a professional footballer. He played for local club Qamar and later Dutch Amateur League club HSV Hoek.
India refused to compete in the 1950 FIFA World Cup, then known as the Jules Rimet trophy, because their players reportedly refused to wear boots.
A year later, they became the best team in Asia by winning gold at the Asian Games. In the final, India edged out Iran 1-0 in front of a packed crowd in Delhi, with then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru present at the stadium.
When Rahim kicked off his managerial career, most teams in the world were playing the 2-3-5 formation. The Indian mastermind introduced the 4-4-2 system, which was later popularised by Brazil in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups.
Under his guidance, India also secured fourth place in the 1956 Olympics.
When India took the field for the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, Rahim had been diagnosed with cancer, and was told he had less than 10 months to live. His team beat South Korea 2-1 in the final to reclaim the gold.
Rahim breathed his last on June 11, 1963, at the age of 53.
Maidan’s 2 min 43 sec trailer shows Rahim working to put India on the global football map. While the coach believes in his vision, he is not supported by the Indian Football Association leadership.
The story moves around how he forms the team and overcomes the challenges as he tries to take his team over the finish line.
Joining Devgn are Priyamani, Gajraj Rao and Bengali actor Rudranil Ghosh in pivotal roles. Produced by Zee Studios, Boney Kapoor, Arunava Joy Sengupta and Akash Chawla, the film boasts a musical score by Oscar winner A.R. Rahman.
Maidaan is poised to hit screens worldwide on April 10.
Indo-Asian News Service
