ON THE FRONT FOOT!
Not just ’83, a number of other cricket-centric films are also in the pipeline. We take a look at why filmmakers are padding up for the ‘gentleman’s game’
It goes without saying that cricket has always been an unofficial religion of sorts in India. But quite surprisingly, barring a handful of projects, Bollywood filmmakers have hardly tried to cash in on the craze around the ‘gentleman’s game’. Having said that, Hindi filmmakers now seem keen to play on the front foot as a clutch of cricket-centric films are in various stages of production.
GEARING UP
To start with, last month saw the release of The Zoya Factor starring Sonam K Ahuja. Further, Kabir Khan is busy with Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone starrer ’83. Also, after Kabir Singh, Shahid Kapoor is believed to be set to feature in the Hindi remake of Telugu hit, Jersey. Vijay Deverakonda-starrer Dear Comrade, which has cricket at its core, is also said to be set for a Hindi version.
That’s not all. A new film revolving around legendary Indian cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar’s life — titled God Of Cricket — is in the making, too. Plus, Taapsee Pannu’s name is doing the rounds vis-à-vis playing famous Indian woman cricketer, Mithali Raj. A film on Mithali’s team-mate, Jhulan Goswami has also been announced. Abhinay Deodirected Doosra is about India’s iconic 2002 victory — against England in the NatWest Series — as seen through the eyes of a young girl. Also, Rana Daggubati is backing a biopic on Sri Lankan spin legend, Muttiah Muralitharan.
THE NEXT BIG IDEA?
Experts look at it as a “blockbuster idea”. As trade analyst Taran Adarsh puts it: “If cricket and cinema are brought together in an entertaining manner, then there’s just no stopping. Whenever the sport has been put on the big screen with the right amalgamation of story, audiences have patronised them, with the most recent example being the hit MS Dhoni biopic.”
But the big question is: why have filmmakers shied away from experimenting much with cricket-based films? “It’s difficult to say why, but maybe, it’s due to the lack of cinematic human drama when you’re supposed to be restricted within a certain element [cricket]. Even internationally, football and basketball are extremely popular, but we don’t see many films revolving around those sports. But now that we are breaking newer grounds, this [cricket-based films] could well be the next big idea. A well-made film will work for sure – whether it’s cricket or anything else,” says filmmaker Milan Luthria.
STRONG STORYLINE
For actors, it’s all about portraying such parts “in all their glory.” As Ranveer Singh, who plays ex-Indian captain, Kapil Dev in ’83, says: “For me, what’s of prime importance is that the players whose stories we’re telling should be proud that we have celebrated their achievements in the best possible manner. They should watch the film and feel, ‘hamari kahaani sahi se dikhayi hai film mein’. We know that the responsibility is on us that it must be done right and it’s up to us to justify those legends and their legendary status.”
Taapsee, on her part, is extremely keen to enter the (reel) cricket ground. “If I get it [the part/film], then it will be amazing to play cricket… I wish I get to play this role,” she says about the Mithali biopic.
At the same time, experts also have a word of caution for filmmakers. “Since we watch cricket almost on a daily basis on our TV screens, these movies have to go a step ahead to make things engaging. They can’t be like docu-dramas. So, it becomes imperative that a strong storyline is weaved in, to turn them into entertainers,” says Taran Adarsh.