Actor Jatin Sarna first met cricketer Yashpal Sharma in Dharamshala in 2019, where he was with the cast and crew of Kabir Khan’s '83, learning cricket. Jatin had been cast as Yashpal in the film and both men were curious to meet each other. “I was so nervous because I was worried what if I don’t meet his expectations or I’m doing something wrong,” recalls Jatin. However, the meeting went well and Sharma was even impressed by the young actor. Over the next seven days, Jatin picked the veteran cricketer’s brain and when they parted, it was with a promise to see the film together.

Alas, that won’t happen now. Yashpal Sharma passed away due to a heart attack on Tuesday morning. “I am shocked. This is so sad and unexpected,” says a visibly shaken Jatin, adding, “He was such a zinda-dil person and an unsung hero. He scored 89 against world champions West Indies in India’s first match of the 83 World Cup and was adjudged the man of the match. Nobody expected this young batsman to beat the giants. I always told him that this film would bring him and his contribution back into the limelight. It’s so sad he won’t be able to see it.”

Reminiscing about the tips he received from the cricketer, Jatin tells us, “I asked him everything, even the tiniest details about his game, such as which foot he used first in his stride to enter the ground. He told me that he would never ground his bat while batting. He always kept it in the air. I did not want to just copy his shots and mannerisms, but imbibe his passion for the game and dedication towards the country. That is who he was. I wanted to imbibe those qualities so that whenever someone, who knew him, saw me on screen, they’d say: Haan, yehi Yashpal Sharma hai!”

The actor is gutted that he wouldn’t be able to watch the movie with the man he portrays on screen. He tells us, “I wanted to whistle and scream when I would appear on screen as him, while sitting next to him. I will still do that, but he won’t be there. I won’t be able to see his reaction to all that. That is my misfortune.”

The release of 83, directed by Kabir Khan and starring Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev, has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic multiple times and is expected to release later this year.

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Tahir Raj Bhasin, who will be seen essaying the role of Sunil Gavaskar in the upcoming film on the 83 World Cup, remembered the cricketer. He said, “Saddened by the demise of Yashpal Sharma. A story of sheer grit and incredible sporting spirit in the history books of Indian cricket. Yashpal sir was a rock on the pitch and a major reason for India’s 1983 World Cup win. Today, I remember his accomplishments and immense contributions that made the country proud. Condolences to his friends, family and fans. May his soul rest in peace.”