Gopi game for a cameo in his biopic

Farhan Akhtar worked to get that perfect bod and the style of running when he played Milkha Singh in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. More recently, Priyanka Chopra trained hard to step into the shoes of five-time World Champion Mary Kom. Now, Telugu film industry is set to get its first biopic on a sportsperson, and what better story than that of chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand?
His story of triumph against odds is set to inspire the nation.Gopichand believes the same, saying, "We have seen films like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag which have become an inspiration. I hope my biopic does the same - inspire youngsters."
The film though is in a nascent stage. "Sudheer Babu, Mahesh Babu's brother-in-law and a close friend, told me that he would like to make my biopic. And I said, 'yes we could'. This project is something I am directly involved in," says Gopichand. Sudheer Babu apparently approached filmmaker Mohan Krishna Indraganti for the biopic. "Yes, Sudheer Babu came to me with the idea of making a film on Gopichand's life, and I said yes, we could arrange for a meeting and discuss things further. But we are yet to meet," says Mohan Krishna.
Meanwhile, Shachi Sharma and her father Sanjay Sharma, who worked on Gopichand's biography, The World Beneath His Feet, approached him for a film based on the book. "I was supposed to meet them (Shachi, Sanjay and the team) last week, but since I am going to be busy with the All England Championship, I will be meeting them only end of March. So, I don't have much clarity on this project as of now. However, I was told that they are roping in a filmmaker from Mumbai and are working out production details for the Hindi film. The two sets of people have met one another, but I am not too sure right now, what the final outcome will be. I'll have clarity only when I am back from England and have a discussion with them," says Gopichand.
Asked if he thinks Sudheer Babu is best suited to play him in the Telugu film, Gopichand says, "He has known me since my playing days. He was my practice partner. He knows my game, style and also knows about my life since we have been friends. I do think Sudheer is best suited to play me."
A sporting career cut short by injuries, Gopi is sure what the focus of the biopic is going to be. "I had my first knee injury when I was just 18-19. And before the All England Championship, which I won, I had three surgeries. I had to quit playing at 31 because of injuries. From there to actually becoming a coach, training shuttlers and putting them on the world map - they are two different parts and stories of my life. It will be interesting to see my own story on the screen," he says.
Since it's his story, Gopichand wants to be "as involved with the film as time permits".
"Yes, I would like to stay in the loop and be involved, because I want the film to be absolutely true to facts - the story should unravel like my real life. My struggle, my families and friends' support to helping me reach where I am - I just want everything to be real," says Gopichand. The national coach is in fact also ready to make a special appearance in the film, if need be or if given the choice. "Why not?" he asks, adding, "I am absolutely game to make an appearance in the film."