Amit Karn (MID-DAY; May 9, 2017)

The fascinating life of ‘invincible’ wrestler Ghulam Mohammed aka the Great Gama had caught Salman Khan’s fancy several years ago and he had reportedly expressed desire to make a film on him. However, with fellow actor John Abraham sharing similar aspirations, neither’s plans could materialise — until now.

Well placed sources tell us Salman’s production house has ditched the idea of a big screen adaptation and is taking Gama’s story to the tube instead. “This will mark Salman’s first television project as producer.  The pilot episode has been shot and sent to the channel concerned,” says an insider, who has shared a draft of the pilot with mid-day.

“The story is set in Amritsar, Gama’s home town, during the Partition. The show opens with a rioting scene and a few minutes into it, a 65-year-old Gama Pahelwan makes an entry,” adds the insider.

Salman’s younger brother, actor-producer Sohail Khan is playing the protagonist’s part. Undefeated in a career spanning over five decades, Gama was considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Post Independence in 1947, Gama moved to Pakistan. He died in 1960, at the age of 82. “Casting for future episodes is underway,” says the source.