‘An underdog story touches people’s hearts’
The 1983 World Cup victory is possibly India’s most landmark achievement in the world of sports. Do you also think so?
Honestly speaking, till the time Kabir Khan (film-maker) told me the story [of the victory], I didn’t know that whatever cricket is today [in India], it’s because of that turning point in our sports history. And [I am sure] there is a whole generation including me, who had no idea about it.
It’s believed that when the Indian team landed in England for the 1983 World Cup, they weren’t in contention at all...
Yes, and it’s amazing to hear some of the great stories [vis-à-vis the team]. So, they were looked at as a ragtag bunch of guys who nobody believed in and people said all kinds of things such as ‘tum logon ka khelne ka fayda kya hai (there’s no point playing in the tournament) or tum log toh wapas ghar jao (You guys should go back home).’ Coming out victorious at such a prestigious tournament after the kind of things they went through is a great story — with all the anecdotes — of human science and bonding between the team members.
As an actor, do you feel great to have received such a special opportunity?
An underdog story always touches people’s hearts. Plus, this is such a glorious chapter in the Indian sports history that I am overwhelmed [about such an opportunity to act in the film]. A few days back, I was thinking about it in the night and, in fact, sent a message to Madhu Mantena (film’s producer) about how lucky we are to have been blessed with this opportunity to be able to tell such as great story. I feel the story is always greater than any individual. Plus, yeh story kamaal ki hai (this story is phenomenal); and the fact that we have been entrusted with the responsibility to tell it shows how fortunate we are.