Soorma trailer: Diljit Dosanjh's raw ferocity passes the test as broken, but unbeaten Sandeep Singh

Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh's fame as one of the rising stars of Hindi cinema seems validated with the trailer of Shaad Ali's latest film, Soorma. The trailer captures the struggle, vindication and courage of the Indian hockey player, Sandeep Singh. Along with Dosanjh, the film also stars Taapsee Pannu, Angad Bedi and Vijay Raaz in pivotal roles.

The trailer begins with the precocious Sandeep Singh declaring that he won't go back to hockey after being beaten up by coach Kartar Singh. However, the sight of another young hockey player, Harpreet (Pannu) leads him to return to the game in his 20s. His love for Preet fuels his drive to play hockey for India.

But just as he emerges as a possible champion for the Indian team, he is shot and paralysed. The trailer then shifts focus to Sandeep Singh's drive to find the courage to become a champion once again.

Buoyed on the back of a rousing background score, the trailer offers a glimpse into the struggles that defined the character of Sandeep Singh. Dosanjh delivers as the mischievous youngster who is transformed by an inspiration, and rekindles that courage. The actor displays a rawness that underlines the trailer. The trailer captures the dual elments of Dosanjh as a light-hearted mischievous youngster and the man shaped by his circumstances. The actor manages to create an impact at both points in the trailer.

As the inspirational Harpreet who becomes his muse, Pannu looks the part. Her character plays a key part in the Indian female hockey team. The other part of Sandeep Singh's support system is Angad Bedi, who plays the disappointed Bikramjeet Singh, who helps Sandeep gain a place on the hockey team.

The presence of Vijay Raaz brings some necessary toughness to the trailer.

While the trailer is inspirational, it also takes a cliched route of Pakistan bashing with the depiction of the final battle of Sandeep Singh against the team in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2009. Sandeep Singh was adjudged man of the tournament, as he led India to the trophy in 2009. It remains to be seen how the treatment pans out in the film, as opposed to the trailer.

Produced by Sony Pictures Networks India, Soorma will be out in theatres on on 15 July.