Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 2, 2017)


Rudrakesh Jena, the coach of the rugby team of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneshwar, will soon take on a starry aura. Buzz is, Abhishek Bachchan could step into Jena's shoes to take his story to the world.It will be directed by Nila Madhab Panda for whose debut film, I Am Kalam, actor Harsh Mayar had won the Best Child Artist at the National Awards in 2011.


The film is expected to roll next year and will be shot in India and the UK. In 2007, the under-14 rugby team from KISS lifted the trophy at the International School Rugby Tournament in London. It was a milestone achievement for this one-of-its kind school which provides free accommodation, food, healthcare and education from class one to post-graduation, along with vocational training, to its players.

A source associated with the Shabbir Boxwala production reveals that the makers who have officially bought the rights to Jena's story have been in talks with Abhishek for the last month and is hoping to get him to be a part of the biopic soon. The film will highlight how young boys from some of the most backward districts of Orissa who almost missed the flight to London because they didn't even have valid birth certificates that are mandatory for passports, did the country proud. Here it can be mentioned that timely intervention from the Ministry of External Affairs helped to get them to the Queen's City in time for the tournament which they went on to win.

"The sport has helped change the lives of many kids in Orissa. Rugby is not a popular sport in India but the makers are hoping the film will help generate interest among the aam janta," the source signs off.