The Asian Age

24 scripts for Sindhu biopic

The actor- turned- producer Sonu Sood is bankrollin­g a biopic on Olympic silver medalist and badminton star P. V. Sindhu. His team of writers and he have been fine- tuning the script for over two years now

- SASHIDHAR ADIVI

Sonu Sood is bankrollin­g a biopic on P. V. Sindhu

WE MET SINDHU AND HER PARENTS AND HAD MULTIPLE DISCUSSION­S OVER TIME TO DECIDE WHAT CAN BE INCORPORAT­ED IN THE BIOPIC. AS WE KEPT ON DISCUSSING, WE WERE ABLE TO FLESH OUT A COMPREHENS­IVE VERSION We originally planned to have the film until Sindhu’s Olympic win. But later she kept winning more tournament­s and set new records. So we also wanted to incorporat­e them in the script, making it a more comprehens­ive one. — SONU SOOD, actor

Sonu Sood is leaving no stone unturned these days to ensure that he gets it bang on while portraying the life and journey of Olympic silver medalist and badminton star P. V. Sindhu on the silver screen.

As the script work for the biopic is nearing completion, ask Sonu why he zeroed in on Sindhu and he replies, “Hers is a journey that everyone has to know and she’s inspired millions with her victories. She’s proved that everyone cannot only dare to dream big, but achieve it too through hard work.”

He adds, “When she won the Olympic medal, I started researchin­g on her life and her journey inspired me to make the film. Although it is very challengin­g to produce a biopic, I feel proud of it.”

Apparently, his team of writers and he have been fine- tuning the script for over two years to ensure that they get it as close to the badminton star’s personalit­y as possible. “We originally planned to have the film until Sindhu’s Olympic win. But later she kept on winning a few tournament­s and further set some new records. So we also wanted to incorporat­e them in the script, making it a more comprehens­ive one,” he explains.

In the process of scripting, the filmmakers came up with 24 versions of the script and they say that around 95 per cent of the script is done till now. They say they are in no hurry, and shall soon take the final call on which version of the script can be used on screen. “Basically, we wanted to make a largerthan­life script, but at the same time, wanted to keep it realistic and an inspiring one too,” explains Sonu. “Extensive brainstorm­ing sessions have been going on with our writers to strike that fine balance. So far, we have come up with 24 versions.”

Since Sonu is an actor himself, he knew how significan­t it is to get the facts right, especially when the film is about a world- renowned personalit­y. He explains that extensive research on Sindhu has been done to get to where they are now. “We met Sindhu and her parents and had multiple discussion­s over time to decide what can be incorporat­ed in the biopic. As we kept on discussing, we were able to flesh out a comprehens­ive version.” Since the film is based on the life of Sindhu, the inputs given by her family m e m b e r s , friends and wellwisher­s makes for a good family drama too. “We feel the drama that sur rounds the biopic makes for an interestin­g narrative. The biopic starts from Sindhu’s childhood and her fascinatio­n towards the sport. Hence, we wanted to decode her personalit­y for which we spoke to her parents about her behavioral patterns, tough times, memorable moments, people who have inspired her and how her family has rallied around her,” shares Sonu, adding, “The transforma­tion of how Sindhu turns into a true champion will be one of the highlights of the film.”

While it was widely reported that Sindhu will be featuring in a cameo in her biopic, Sonu states that it is too early to talk about it yet. “Of course, I’d love to have her on board even for a brief appearance so that the film will be extra special and memorable to Sindhu too. But the film is still in the scripting stages… I will try to see where I can fit her in.”

As for the casting, several names have done the rounds but Sonu insists, “I am yet to start the process of casting.”

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 ??  ?? Sonu Sood with P. V. Sindhu’s family
Sonu Sood with P. V. Sindhu’s family
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