MID-DAY (September 21, 2016)

The trailer of 'M.S. Dhoni – The Untold Story' shows original footage of the Indian cricket captain hitting the winning six in World Cup 2011, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The makers have bought the rights to more clips from some of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s best matches from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by coughing up close to Rs 40 lakh.

You will get to watch Dhoni’s memorable innings, but with Sushant Singh Rajput’s face pasted in close-ups. When we reached the film’s director, Neeraj Pandey, for a confirmation, he said, “I am not aware of the amount that Fox (studio on board) has paid the BCCI.’’ Quizzed further about Sushant’s face replacing Dhoni’s for reel while the rest of the footage remains unchanged, Pandey simply said, “No comment”.

A BCCI spokesperson confirmed that the film’s makers have acquired footage of Dhoni’s matches for a price, but refused to divulge the amount: “The producers of the movie have paid as per the footage rate card of the BCCI and no discount was given.”

Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri has reportedly dubbed some commentary portions in the film, which hits theatres on September 30.