Champion (சாம்பியன்)

Towards the end of 16th century...

The French made their way into India through coastal areas like...

Cochin...

Chennai...

Thoothukudi...

Pondicherry...

Vishakapatnam...

Mangalore...

Kolkata...

Gujarat...

Goa...

Mumbai...

The set their foot in all these cities

In all these places, where they set their foot on...

their national game, football, is still quite popular

Especially in North Chennai

Hit it! Hit it, Shantha!

Hit it!

Dude!

Awesome Shantha! Come on!

Who's the guy who scored the goal?

Shantha, boss. He's from Perambur. 1st year college student

And his friend?

Goldstar Gopi, from our locality, Pulianthope

He didn't even pass the 12th grade

Find out all the details about both of them

Ok, boss

What was our boss telling you?

Looks like he has his eyes set on those two

Well...

Why have second thoughts? Imagine, you'll get 0.3 millions

It's not like we are asking you to murder

Just take the blame for the murder our boss commits. Simple

At your current age, you'll only get a 6 month jail term

Give it a good thought

Gopi, I don't have a good feeling about this

You! What's your problem?

Give it a good thought and let us know. Come, let's go talk to Ram

Gopi, no! Your football career will be over for good!

Well, you are well off. Your dad works in the Electricity Board

Only I know how much I'm struggling to buy a tee and a shoe

What did he say?

- He hasn't given a reply yet - You have no idea. You leave

Get lost!

This is going to kill you!

Balu!

Mom! Please! No! Please, don't beat me

How many time have I warned you from playing football?

Again and again you go behind me and play football?

You'll learn a lesson only if I break your legs!

- Mom, please! Please, don't beat me! - Now, come!

- Get in! - Mom, please don't beat me!

My dear, Joe...

Are you upset with me?

Are you upset that I thrashed you in front of your friends? Sorry dear

Listen, let's keep away from football, dear

I want you to study medicine and practice as a doctor in a reputed hospital

Dear Joe, who else do I have? Only you!

I won't play football anymore. Now, stop crying

Our father in heaven...

Lord Ebenezer, who has lead us thus far...

Please bless this child

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit - Amen

Father, please advise him to forget football and focus on studies

Mom, didn't I already give my word that I won't play football?

There! He said it

He is a good boy. He'll live up to his words

Super!

Give a round of applause for Jones

Rest of the boys, go to your classroom

After school, you all must report to me in the ground at 4 pm

Ok, sir!

Won't your mom thrash you if she finds out you've joined the football team?

Mom will thrash me only if she finds out. Right?

Oh-ho! So you are going to play without her knowledge?

Yeah right!

"Champion! I'm a champion!"

"Champion! I'm a champion!"

"Champion! I'm a champion!"

That was awesome, Jones!

"Champion! I'm a champion!"

"Champion! I'm a champion!"

If you keep playing at the school level...

then you can't fulfill your dad's dream of making you a great player

Well, now I'm playing at school level

Next, at university level

Then somehow make it to the Tamil Nadu team and finally, play for India, Pavi

Which era are you living in? Many have made it to Indian team at the age of 19!

And then there is you!

Here, the application form of the best academy here

You can make it to the Indian team only if you train and play in such academies

- What's the academy called? - Chennai metro football academy

Raman Vijayan, who played from '96 - '00 for India, is the coach here

Get selected to play for them and you'll get the biggest break of your life

How are you aware of all this?

All the credit must go to Google!

Whoa!

The academy looks grand!

Look here, don't plead!

- Be confident when you talk. Ok? - Ok

Please sign here

Your turn

Told you, this is one of the best academy

- Sir - Tell me

Sir, good evening

Sir, good evening

- Sir, good evening - Good evening

Greetings, sir

What is this?

Tell me, what's the matter?

Sir, I am Jones

From which school

- Government school - Which place?

Vyasarpadi

Vyasarpadi? What's the matter?

Sir, I'm a good football player

Let that be

Are good at attacking with Razors?

How about hurling glass bottles?

Wielding a knife?

Dealing with Marijuana, then the powder?

- Answer me - Excuse me, sir!

Stop stereotyping the North Madras boys as thugs!

I don't deny the fact that such rogues existed there but long ago

But now we are getting educated. In fact, many have succeeded and are in abroad now

Times have changed but the way you all look at us, hasn't

Forgive me! I apologize

Mr. Jones, in order to join this academy...

#1. You must get the certificates, for the teams that you've played for

#2. You must provide your conduct certificate...

signed by your PT master or class teacher

#3. You must bring your parents

#4. The most important thing...

The yearly fee is Rs. 60,000

Sir, I'll show my football skills. Just watch it once

Listen, you can step in the ground only after paying the yearly fee of Rs. 60,000

First, go arrange it

Sir, just give me one chance

Please, sir

Now, leave. Take a hike!

Comes from a poor background and wants to play football!

Hit it!

"Step up, my dear son! You are the champion!"

"You are the one who will fulfill my dreams"

"Keep playing and progressing, oh my dear son"

"If you know where you're headed, then you are genius"

"All that every father yearns for, is for their son to fulfill their dreams"

"All that a father wishes is that his son should live life on his own terms!"

"Your favorite game is the only thing that will motivate you to wake up early"

"Keep practicing until body and mind sync with each other and that"ll sculpt you!"

Mom, is dad an expert in cooking?

He is an excellent chef!

"The ground that you play in will teach you a hundred lessons. So, concentrate!"

"Will power is what will take you to the top. So, focus!"

"And when life starts playing with you..."

"by then you must have learnt to be victorious"

Jaya, our son is an extraordinary football player

Wait and watch, he'll surely represent India one day

- Jones... - Yes, dad

When I was a kid, I always dreamt of becoming a successful football player

I dreamt of getting selected in the Indian team

But none of my dreams came true

I want you to become a successful football player...

and fulfill my dreams. Will you?

- Where's Anand and Jones? - There's Anand

And then?

Where is Jones?

With Dhamu at Pulianthope, playing sevens player football match

The sevens conducted by the area councilor, Dhanasekar?

Yes

Damn it! Why did you let him play Sevens?

Any idea why Dhanasekar conducts those matches?

He'll divert skillful and active players into violence and turn them in to rogues

Do you know how many good players have turned rogues?

To hell with you!

That's a foul!

A foul? That too in Sevens? Get up and get on with the game

Stop staring and stop showing off!

Who's that guy in Cement colored Tee? Quite skillful and active!

No idea, boss. I'll find out

Well played, Jones!

I'll call you. Do come for the next match

Pavi, why are you avoiding me?

Answer me!

Why would you play the Sevens match?

Don't you know Sevens match is a violent game?

What if you had broken your arms or legs?

Wasn't it you, who wanted me to join the academy?

How can I afford so much money?

I thought of I'll play Sevens during weekends

And arrange the money in 6 months and join the academy

Even once you fracture any bone in those 6 months, your football career will be over

You tell me, what can be done

You need money, right?

I'll give you

Here. I had saved some Rs. 12,000

Have this for now

The remaining amount; as I've enrolled for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics tuition

So, I'll collect the tuition fee from home and give to you

What if your parents find out?