Cricketer Yuvraj Singh plans to ‘go out all guns blazing’ while talking about his life on the big screen
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 15, 2020)

A glorious over two-decade-long cricketing career, countless records and milestones, romantic link-ups, battle with cancer, philanthropy work and more — Yuvraj Singh’s life has all the ingredients needed for a commercial potboiler. And not disappointing his fans, the cricketer confirms to us in an exclusive interview that a biopic on his life is “already in the process”. He adds that the work on it has picked up since his retirement (from international cricket) in June last year. While fans definitely are waiting to see his journey on the big screen, Singh says it’ll take some more time because “after all, it’s not easy to talk about your life”. Here’s the 38-year-old, spilling the beans about the aspects his biopic will cover, and who he wants to see portray him on the celluloid.

There’s been a lot of talk about your biopic. What’s the status?
I’m much honoured that a lot of big production houses have approached me (to make a film), but I’ve not thought about when it’s going to come out, or who we’re going to do it with. We’re in talks with a few people, but nothing concrete has come out yet. The thing is that it’s a very emotional journey what I’ve gone through — my relationship with my dad (Yograj Singh), my cancer and all. So, I’m trying to put pen to paper, and finding it really hard to do it.

What is the most difficult part?
You know, sometimes, I look at my life and I’m like, ‘Hmmm, it’s a pretty interesting story’. So, I want to be 100% content with myself that, ‘Okay, now I’m ready to talk about my life’. After all, it’s not easy to talk about your life, especially when there are certain grey areas where you’re like, ‘Ah, I’m not very sure’. Hopefully, I’ll get the right direction.

Any actor you’re keen on seeing play your role in the biopic?
Probably, I’d play myself — that would be a bit desperate… (chuckles) hai na? See, that’s the director’s job to decide. If it’s going to be a Bollywood film, then Siddhant Chaturvedi — the guy who played M C Sher in Gully Boy (2019) — is a good option; I’d love to see him in the film. Then, I think Ayushmann (Khurrana) would also be a good fit. He’d just need to bulk up a little bit; thoda bahut khaana khake aana padega (laughs). There’s Ranveer (Singh) and Ranbir (Kapoor), too. And if it goes international, you have Jon Snow (Kit Harington) from Game Of Thrones (smiles). So, let’s see what direction the film goes.

Your mother, Shabnam Singh, has played a very crucial role in your journey. Any name suggestions for her part?
(Long pause) Kirron Kher ji would do a great job, I feel. As she has joined politics, I’m not sure if she’d do a film now. It all depends...

Are there any specific aspects of your life that you definitely want to show in your biopic?
I don’t know what the director and producer are going to portray, but I’m going to pretty much say everything about my life. The book that I’ve written (The Test of My Life: From Cricket to Cancer and Back) was more about cancer and the ICC World Cup (2011) win — that’s just 25% of my journey. My real journey is how I started playing, my bond with my father, how he was not a successful player and left playing very early. So, it’s full of ups and downs. I always wanted my journey to be stable, but it never was.

And anything that you don’t want to be told on the big screen?
Trust me, if I go out, I always go out all guns blazing. I don’t shy away from owning up. In my life, I’ve always believed that everyone’s not going to like, or dislike you. You’re going to live your life how you feel, how your heart tells you to. That’s how I’ve always lived my life. I must have made few mistakes in cricket, definitely, but when it comes to living my life, I have no regrets at all.