Panga trailer: Kangana Ranaut centres this heartwarming story of sport and second chances

At an age when sportpersons are thinking of retiring, you are attempting a comeback, remarks Neena Gupta's character in the first trailer of Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari's Panga (2020).

The family film examines the life of Jaya Nigam, a former kabaddi player who has retired to a job in the Indian Railways and taking care of her family at home.

But something in her yearns for more. "I'm a mother and a mother doesn't have dreams," Jaya sobs to her friend. After her son innocently asks his dad why a 32-year-old can't make a comeback, she trains and attempts to be selected again for the Indian national team with the support of her family.

Kangana Ranaut is excellent as usual as Jaya who dreams of second chances with a sport she loves. She nails the little touches of her character, from her disappointment when a new crop of players does not recognize her to her easy loving relationship with husband Prashant (Jassie Gill) and son Adi (Yagya Bhasin).

Richa Chadha plays either a former teammate or coach of Jaya's while Neena Gupta plays Jaya's mother. Gill, who made his Hindi film debut with Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi (2018), has a good role as Jaya's supportive husband who encourages her to take up kabaddi again.

Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari had handled a similar story with Nil Battey Sannata (2016), which featured a mother wanting to better her life by returning to complete her education. Here she looks at another mother's dreams and her wish to find fulfilment again.

Panga, written by Nikhil Mehrotra and Iyer Tiwari, is due for release on 24 January 2020. Watch the trailer and let us know if you are keen to watch the film.