‘HOPE KAPIL SIR GIVES ME SOME TRAINING’
Ranveer Singh, who plays Kapil Dev in a film on the 1983 World Cup victory, feels blessed to have an opportunity to tell a great underdog story
As filmmaker Kabir Khan and actor Ranveer Singh join hands to make a film on India’s victory at the 1983 Cricket World Cup, HT City chats exclusively with Ranveer, who plays Kapil Dev, the ex-Indian captain, in the film.
What was your first reaction when the film was offered to you?
I remember when Kabir came to me with the movie, I thought, ‘Chalo, it’s great that finally, someone wants – and is planning to – make a mainstream Hindi film on the 1983 World Cup victory. I think since I was born in 1985, I always thought that someone must tell the [world cup] winning story in a sports film.
Many also feel it’s a fascinating underdog story. Do you agree?
Yes, it is one of the greatest sports stories ever about how a bunch of underdogs – who nobody thought anything of – were banded together, got galvanised by their leader and went on to win the world cup. It infused the nation with pride and was clearly a turning point in our sports history.
You met the 1983 cricket team members at the film launch event. How was it?
It was so nice to see them all together and to just feel the vibe, the energy and the sheer bonding between them. They shared great stories and anecdotes about their lives. They shared how they had made advance bookings for their holidays [after the world cup] but had to cancel them as they had to play a tournament [after the tournament].
You must be looking forward to transforming yourself into Kapil Dev…
Bas woh bowling action aa jaaye (I wish I get his bowling action correct; smiles). I hope Kapil sir gives me some training and tips. It will be fantastic. It goes without saying that the physical transformation is going to be an important part.