A low down of all upcoming sports biopics in Bollywood

Biopics, especially sports biopics have become the flavour of the season, thanks to the success of films like Paan Singh Tomar, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Mary Kom. Already films based on popular cricketers Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Mohammad Azharuddin are underway. Then there’s Dangal that is based on wrestler Mahavir Singh Poghat with none other than Aamir Khan essaying the role. Other sports personalities whose lives are set to be played out on celluloid include hockey players Dhyanchand and Sandeep Singh, football player Sibdas Bhaduri and badminton champion Pullela Gopichand. Abhishek Bachchan has evinced a keen interest in playing cricketer Yuvraj Singh whose journey he finds inspiring. Choreographer-turned-director Ahmed Khan is planning to make a film based on the life of a Arjuna Awardee, but is waiting to get a go-ahead from the sportsman. A low down...

MS Dhoni: The Untold Story
Sushant Singh Rajput is essaying the role of the flamboyant cricketer, who has registered the most wins as Indian captain. Directed by Neeraj Pandey, the film will trace the trail-blazing career of the World Cup-winning captain, as well as his personal life. To prepare for his role, Sushant has been watching old matches of Dhoni and learning the nuances of the game. He also did some net practise with the cricketer, who has been helping him perfect his body language and mannerisms. He recently injured himself while practicing Dhoni’s signature ‘helicopter’ shot. He later tweeted, “Thank you all for your wishes, the injury happened few weeks ago and I have completely recovered, and have also got the shot perfectly. Love.” The latest is that film, which was to release this October has been pushed to next year.

Azhar
Mera khuda hai ek, biwiyan hai do aur mujh par match-fixing ke aarop hai teen, is the line used by the makers in their teaser promo to bring out the essence of Mohammad Azharuddin’s biopic Azhar. Emraan Hashmi is playing the dashing cricketer on screen. The actor has been taking tips from the former Indian captain to prefect his game. At the teaser launch Emraan said, “There were a lot of challenges (in playing the role). One of them was Azhar had an unconventional batting style, and I had no footwork on that. So Azharbhai started training me.” During one of the practice session, Emraan who was trying to copy Azhar’s style ended up injuring his wrist. The film that has Prachi Desai playing the cricketer’s wife and Nargis Fakhri as Sangeeta Bijlani will release next year.

Dangal
Aamir Khan turns wrestler in this film based on Mahavir Singh Phogat and his famous daughters Geeta and Babita Phogat. Mahavir is a former wrestler and women’s wrestling coach who pushed his daughters into becoming world beaters. Geeta won India’s first ever gold medal in women’s wrestling in the 55 kg freestyle category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and is the first-ever Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for Olympics. The film will depict their journey as well as the relationship between them. Aamir in an interview had said that more than wrestling, the film is an emotional journey between the father and his daughters. For his role Aamir has put on 22 kilos and is learning Haryanvi. 

Gama Pehalwan
The biopic on one of the greatest wrestlers has been a bone of contention between two actors John Abraham and Salman Khan. Both have announced a film on Gama — John was to produce and essay the role of the wrestler, while Salman’s film was to have Sohail Khan playing Gama. Last heard, John’s film to be directed by Parmeet Sethi has been reportedly stalled. Born in Amritsar as Ghulam Muhammad during British India, Gama Pehalwan was awarded the Indian version of the World Heavyweight Championship on October 15, 1910. After Independence in 1947, Gama moved to Pakistan.

Sibdas Bhaduri
Based on footballer Sibdas Bhaduri, who led the Mohan Bagan team and won against British footballers in 1911, the film 1911 will have John Abraham playing the captain. To be directed by Shoojit Sircar the film has been put on hold as the Piku director is still working on the subject. “It is a sports film and needs a lot of work. It will take time before everything is put together well on paper itself,” he said.

Dhyanchand
Last year, Karan Johar had tweeted, “My friends Pooja...Aarti Shetty and I are honoured and proud to have the rights to tell the story of the legendary sportsman #Dyanchand.” The hockey player was a three-time Olympic gold medal winner and was widely popular as ‘The Wizard’ due to his control on the ball. There were reports of Shah Rukh Khan playing the role, but neither Karan nor SRK have confirmed it. 

Sandeep Singh
Chitrangda Singh decided to turn producer with a biopic on hockey player Sandeep Singh. What makes the hockey player’s story inspirational is that he was seriously injured and almost paralysed after being accidentally shot in a train, while on his way to join the national team who were about to leave for the World Cup in Germany. He was on a wheelchair for two years, but Sandeep not only recovered from the serious injury, but also consolidated his position again in the team. Under his captaincy, the Indian team managed to clinch the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2009 after defeating Malaysia in the finals at Ipoh. India won the title after a long wait of 13 years.

Saina Nehwal
There have been reports about a biopic on badminton champion Saina Nehwal. In fact, Saina herself has said that she would like Deepika Padukone to play her. “Deepika knows badminton quite well. Apart from the strokes and bends, she is aware of all the actions in the game. And since it will be a film based on a sportsperson’s life, it wouldn’t be right to go with flaws in strokes and patterns. I have seen her play, and she is really good at it,” she had said in an interview. Buzz is that Mahesh Bhatt is contemplating making the film on the player who is the first Indian to win a medal in badminton at the Olympics.

Kapil Dev
Not exactly a biopic, there is news about a film being made on India’s 1983 world cup win. Kapil Dev was the captain of the team then and his role is pivotal. Buzz is that Arjun Kapoor has been approached to play the Haryanvi all-rounder.

Pullela Gopichand
Another badminton champion and coach Pullela Gopichand’s life is all set to be showcased on screen, albeit in Telugu. The role will reportedly be essayed by Sudheer Babu, who is Gopichand’s close friend and practice partner.