Break Point Review: Watch this docuseries to know the journey of our Tennis Legends
Break Point Web Series Review: 3.5 stars
Finally watched Break Point Web Series on Zee5 Premium. So let’s analyze the cast, release date, story and at last my personal view on this documentary series.
Cast: Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes, Sania Mirza, Amitabh Bachchan & several other
Director: Nitesh Tiwari & Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Release Date: 1st October 2021 (Zee5 Premium)
Duration: 7 Episodes/ 35 Minutes
Story: Series begins with the introduction of two boys born extraordinary. One called the Olympic Child (Leander Paes) and the other a Miracle Child (Mahesh Bhupathi). They were meant to meet and almost like star crossed lovers they connect. Soon they fall for each other and become a team that goes on to win the world.
One of the most accomplished tennis players of all time in the doubles category, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi gave Indian Tennis a shot in the arm. They won some major titles together but kept drifting apart over and over again. This seven part docuseries gets the two talking about their controversial breakup, 20 years after the events unfolded.
Of course, there were legends like Vijay Amritraj and Ramanathan Krishnan before but Indian Tennis got a new high after a go-getter from Kolkata and an unassuming but determined kid from Bengaluru entered the arena in the 90s. Paes was already a star when he chose to team up with Bhupathi. Together they dreamt of winning the Grand Slams, uprooting our ‘gora complex’ and making us believe that Indian players can be Tennis champions. Given their iconic achievements and potential, the cracks in their relationship were of national interest.
From their first pairing in Jakarta, Indonesia, to the politics and drama in playing for India at the Asian Games at Doha, Qatar, in 2006, Break Point takes us through the key moments of the Paes-Bhupathi partnership. Editor Charu Shree Roy amps the drama with the help of footage from old matches as well as visually recreated headlines the good, the bad and the ugly.
Series highlights is the dismantling of Jeff Tarango in the 1999 French Open final. The American, partner of Goran Ivanisevic, didn’t have great balance, Paes assessed. So the Indians made him run. They ditched serve and volley for volleying in open court towards Tarango. They attacked his forehand. They bullied the American and kept the giant Croat out of the match, winning their first Grand Slam title together. Other legendary doubles pairs such as the Woodies (Australians Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge) and Bob and Mike, the American Bryan Bros show up in the series to serve platitudes, along with Martina Hingis who won Grand Slam titles with both Paes and Bhupathi.
It’s a story of a mentor and his protege. Paes is a year older was decidedly the senior partner. He was the established name when he asked Bhupathi to play with him. But Paes didn’t congratulate Bhupathi enough, the documentary alludes, when the latter became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam (partnering Japan’s Rika Hiraki to win the 1997 French Open) and reach the world No. 1 ranking. Bhupathi says he wanted emotional support and loyalty. Paes required respect and credit.
Paes and Bhupathi’s on-camera confessions are much like their contrasting personalities. At times, Bhupathi, who is often blunt, doesn’t seem to open up enough. And the natural leader Paes, the more outgoing of the pair, still seems to hold a grudge about lost respect. But as events are replayed through them, their families and Bhupathi’s coach Enrico Piperno, tiny decisions are scrutinized and re-examined. The former pair even get emotional on regrets and what-ifs.
The duo acknowledge the tremendous pressure and expectation they had to endure as they rose to be the number one doubles team in the world, winning together twice at the French Open and once at Wimbledon. They also admit that they didn’t handle things well at that time, as they chose their respective camps and coaches over the other.Apart from conversations with Paes and Bhupathi, the makers interview family members, friends, coaches and journalists. Valuable context is also provided by conversations with a host of global tennis stars, including Sania Mirza, Rohan Bopanna, Martina Hingis, the Bryan Brothers, and Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, widely considered the best doubles team in the world.
Durgesh Tiwary’s View : When I watched the trailer of this documentary series planned to watch in my free time because it was based on Tennis legends Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes.
I am not fond of Tennis but always excited to heard the news about their grand slams win together. This sports drama highlights the untold story of tennis legends Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes from their bromance to their break-up. 22 years ago today they became the first Indians to win Wimbledon. Break Point covers the decade between the spectacular rise and the big rift. It begins with the origin story of the Paes-Bhupathi pairing and their subsequent success.
Even if you are not a fan of Tennis, the series is a must-watch as it gives you every single details about Tennis legends and most importantly entertains you till the end and keeps you engaged. Appreciate the fact that India is adapting to new formats and likes of content and OTT platforms are backing the same. My View on this documentary series (Highly Recommended)
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