Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 7, 2024)

Bollywood sports movies have largely revolved around cricket, given that it’s the most popular sport in the country. Thus, it is interesting to know that a feature film is being made on bridge, a card game that works as a mind sport. Film producer and bridge player Subodh Maskara (formerly married to Nandita Das) has collaborated with Milind Soman and Chitrangda Singh for a film that will revolve around the sport.

‘Indian parents have a perception about playing cards, so they tend to say, cards se dur raho’
Milind Soman, who is backing the film as a co-producer, said, “People in our country are not exposed to many sports. We only know about cricket, football and hockey to some extent. Thanks to the Olympics, people are now more aware of the various sports played at the event. Neeraj Chopra made Javelin popular; otherwise, people wouldn’t know much about that sport. Cards have a perception that Indian parents tend to say, ‘Cards se dur raho’. It is important to create awareness so that people understand and have the choice to pursue the sport.”

‘Bridge is as intellectually challenging as chess’
Subodh Maskara adds, “There’s a general stigma attached to playing cards in India, as it is largely associated with gambling. But bridge is as intellectually challenging as chess and is taught to kids in schools in Poland, the US and the Nordic countries. I’ve been playing bridge, and Milind understands sports, so I thought that let me see what he can do for my sport. If Milind can make running cool for women, maybe he has a magic touch that can get the masses to play bridge. Chitrangda was married to a well-known golfer, and her son is an aspiring golfer. She is passionate about making this a powerful human story.”

‘No sport is only a sport. It is also about life. It’s about people’
Chitrangda, also a co-producer, added, “Not many know that we have won a medal at the Asian Games (2023) in bridge. I thought the idea was interesting. It’s a mind game. At the moment, we are coming together to see that we have a great script in place. I will definitely be acting in the film because I think it is unique. No sport is only a sport. It is also about life. It’s about people. It’s about us as human beings and our psychology. When an athlete is running, it’s not just about the run. It’s also about his mental toughness. It’s about his character, discipline and all of those things.”