Showing posts with label Sourav Ganguly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sourav Ganguly. Show all posts
I made Rajkummar Rao try traditional Bengali sweets-Sourav Ganguly
5:10 PM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; October 27, 2026)
Sourav Ganguly and Rajkummar Rao, who will portray the former India cricket captain in the upcoming biopic Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story, made their first joint appearance in Ganguly’s hometown of Kolkata. The festivities began at the cricketer’s residence before he took the actor pandal hopping during the Durga Puja celebrations on Maha Ashtami on Monday.
Since I was a kid, I used to fast for all nine days during Navratri in Gurgaon: Rajkummar Rao
Reminiscing about his childhood, Sourav told BT in an exclusive conversation, “Whenever I think of Durga Puja, I’m transported back to my childhood, when the festival meant pure joy, family and unforgettable memories. The excitement would begin days in advance, with my father or grandfather taking all of us cousins shopping for pujo clothes. We would get matching outfits in the same colours and patterns, and wearing them together was always a special feeling.”
He added, “Some of my fondest memories are of spending nights at our pujo pandals with my cousins, staying up late, laughing and chatting before waking up early to offer prayers at the thakur ghor. I still remember my grandfather giving each of us Rs. 10 for pandal hopping. Back then, it felt like a fortune!
"Looking back, I realise that the real magic of pujo lies in the little moments.”
Recalling his association with the festival, Rajkummar said, “Since I was a kid, I used to fast for all nine days during Navratri in Gurgaon. When I came to Mumbai, I was introduced to Durga Puja and garba nights. Then, a few years ago, Patralekhaa took me to Kolkata during Durga Puja. Since then, I’ve been coming to Kolkata, and it’s always fascinating to be here, especially during the festival. The whole city lights up, and the colours and food are all so good.”
Rajkummar spoke about his special bond with Kolkata and its people. “My relationship with Kolkata and Bengalis is very special. I’ve always had friends from Bengal since my school days. My class teacher, who also paid my school fees at one point, was a Bengali and one of my favourite teachers. Then I met Patralekhaa, a true Bengali girl, and the rest is history,” he smiled.
‘I made Rajkummar try traditional Bengali sweets’
The duo visited some of Kolkata’s prominent pujo pandals, including Maddox Square and Allen Park, soaking in the city’s festive spirit. Ganguly ensured that his guest got a taste of the city’s culinary delights, insisting that Rajkummar try the signature puchka and biryani. “I also made Rajkummar have the traditional Bengali sweets,” he said.
Having portrayed two legendary figures associated with Bengal in biopics – Subhash Chandra Bose and now Sourav Ganguly – Rajkummar feels a strong connection with the state. “I truly feel at home in Kolkata. And, as they say here, I am Kolkata’s jamai!” he shared.
Saswata Chatterjee to play Sourav Ganguly’s father in biopic
4:29 PM
Ruman Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; May 21, 2026)
Saswata Chatterjee has started shooting for Sourav Ganguly biopic Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story (tentative title) in Mumbai and is portraying his father Chandi Ganguly. Also part of the shoot are Aparajita Auddy, who’s playing Sourav’s mother Nirupa, and Rahul Dev Bose, who’s playing his brother, Snehasish.
“All three actors are currently shooting in Mumbai. Dada was present on set during the shoot on Sunday. The production team will shoot in Kolkata from the end of this month,” a source close to the unit told us.
According to the source, the Vikramaditya Motwane directorial has an exciting ensemble cast, with Tanya Maniktala essaying the role of Dona Ganguly, while, as we reported earlier, Rajkummar Rao portraying Sourav.
Before Tanya was finalized, several prominent Bengali actresses were rumoured to be in contention for the role, including Mimi Chakraborty, Ishaa Saha, and Amrita Chattopadhyay.
The biopic is expected to chronicle Sourav Ganguly’s journey – right from his formative cricketing years to becoming one of India’s most influential and fearless captains – while delving into his personal life and enduring relationship with Dona.
Filming begins for Sourav Ganguly biopic, Kolkata shoot planned
3:15 PM
BOMBAY TIMES (April 3, 2026)
Filming has begun on the biopic of former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, with filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane stepping into the director’s chair, the makers announced on Wednesday. Actor Rajkummar Rao will portray Ganguly in the film, tentatively titled Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story.
Sanjay Das, a key member of the project team, said, “Right now, Sourav is busy with the T20 league, but after the 10th, he will be present at the shoot. After 20th, shoot is scheduled to be in Kolkata, however the dates are being reconsidered, due to elections in West Bengal.”
When asked if Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story is the final title, Sanjay added, “It is the working title as of now, it is likely to be changed.”
– Inputs from Ruman Ganguly
Rajkummar to visit Eden Gardens, Ganguly’s former training centre
Rajkummar Rao, who portrays Sourav Ganguly in the biopic, has undergone immersive preparation ahead of filming.
Earlier, sources shared that he may spend time in Behala – the Kolkata neighbourhood where Ganguly grew up – and visit Eden Gardens, along with the coaching centre where he trained, to study the cricketer’s onand off-field persona.
Boman Irani may join Rajkummar Rao in Sourav Ganguly biopic
4:30 PM
Ruman Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2026)
Casting discussions are intensifying for Vikramaditya Motwane’s upcoming biopic on former India captain Sourav Ganguly, with multiple roles still being finalized just weeks before the film goes on floors – an unusually tight timeline for a project of this scale. According to a source close to the production, Boman Irani is reportedly being considered to portray Ganguly’s father, Chandi Ganguly – though discussions are still ongoing. Casting for the role of Snehasish Ganguly – Sourav Ganguly’s elder brother and a former cricketer – remains under discussion, with no actor finalized so far. The film is scheduled to begin shooting in Kolkata from March 16.
Meanwhile, Gajraj Rao is being considered to play former BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya. “Gajraj Rao delivered a remarkable performance in Maidaan (2024), and the production house is keen to bring him on board,” a source said, adding that the casting process is still underway.
Tollywood actress Aparajita Adhya is being considered for the role of Ganguly’s mother. Several other Bengali actors, including Abir Chatterjee, Rudranil Ghosh and Saswata Chatterjee, were considered for roles during the casting process, but factors such as look tests and date availability created hurdles, the source said. Casting for dancer and choreographer Dona Ganguly is yet to be finalized.
The biopic is expected to be shot across Kolkata, London and Mumbai over a 40-day schedule. Vikramaditya Motwane recently visited Kolkata with his team for a recce, including a visit to Eden Gardens, as pre-production gathers momentum ahead of the shoot schedule.
Rajkummar Rao to visit Eden Gardens, Ganguly’s former training centre
Rajkummar Rao, who will portray Sourav Ganguly in the biopic, is expected to undergo immersive preparation ahead of filming. Sources say he may spend time in Behala – the Kolkata neighbourhood where Ganguly grew up – and visit Eden Gardens, along with the coaching centre where he trained, to study the cricketer’s on- and off-field persona.
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Sourav Ganguly met Rajkummar Rao in Mumbai recently. Since everything in the film revolves around the cricketer, his consent is necessary at every step of the film’s production – A source close to production
Rajkummar Rao breaks silence on viral look that left fans concerned
10:52 AM
Amid online chatter, Rajkummar Rao sets the record straight on his recent physical transformation
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; February 17, 2026)
Rajkummar Rao’s recent appearance at the Bolti Khidkiyaan film fest set social media abuzz. The actor looked noticeably different from his usual self – a few kilos heavier, with thinner hair and a slightly haggard appearance – sparking widespread concern online. Fans on social media were quick to jump to conclusions, with unverified claims and chatter about his health and career doing the rounds.
When we reached out to Rajkummar, the actor told us, “It’s strange how people can jump to conclusions and get judgemental without even checking the facts. I gained around 10 kg for the upcoming biopic Nikam (based on Ujjwal Nikam, the special public prosecutor and politician, known for handling high-profile cases), for which I had to look older. I am also in the transition phase where I am preparing for Sourav Ganguly’s biopic. For that part, I need to lose weight, so I am between certain look tests and that’s how I showed up for the event. There is nothing to worry about. I am simply navigating two demanding biographical roles and hence, the change in my appearance is striking.”
The actor added, “For Bose, I went half bald. During Srikanth, I became the character even when cameras weren’t rolling. My focus is always on fully embodying the character I am playing.”
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (February 17, 2026)
On Monday morning, Rajkummar Rao put speculation to rest after his recent appearance sparked concern online. Taking to Instagram, the 41-year-old actor explained that the noticeable weight gain and altered hairline were part of his preparation for his upcoming biopic on Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam.
“It has demanded me to change physically, which I love doing. I’m not a believer in prosthetics as long as I can achieve the look through my hard work, be it gaining weight, looking old (to play a certain age) or to make my hair thin,” he wrote.
Rajkummar gained around 10 kg for the role: “I was eating two pizzas, a lot of sweets and my favourite aloo parathas, biryani, and not using anything glam to look like the part.”
The actor added that he is currently in the “transition phase”, losing the extra weight for a biopic on “our very own Dada”, former Indian cricket team skipper Sourav Ganguly.
Notably, this is not the first time Rajkummar has undergone an extreme physical transformation for his role. “Everyone told me not to go half bald for Bose: Dead Or Alive (2017), or not to stop eating and lose so much weight for Trapped (2017), or not to behave like a visually impaired person even when cameras weren’t rolling during Srikanth (2024),” he wrote, adding, “Hopefully, when you see Nikam, you will be able to see all that hard work... Will always work the hardest to engage you, entertain you through my work.”
Black Warrant 2 deferred due to creative differences between makers
8:53 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 26, 2025)
Ten days into 2025, filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane had a hit in the bag as his Black Warrant opened to wide praise. Promptly the second season of the crime drama, led by Zahan Kapoor, was announced in February, with production slated to begin in September. But now that September is coming to a close, things are looking very different. The buzz is that the project has been deferred indefinitely following creative differences between creator Motwane and Netflix India, which streamed the series.
From what we’ve heard, the first few episodes are the point of contention. A source told mid-day, “Netflix wants the second season to be more accessible, with a faster hook and more punch. Vikram feels the show must retain the grit that made the opening edition stand out. As per the initial plan, the shoot was to begin by October, but the heads at the streamer have refused to give a go-ahead unless they are satisfied with the rewrites.”
Talks have been ongoing for several weeks, but insiders said that no middle ground has been reached. Motwane, who also co-directed the first instalment, is certain about adhering to his vision for the series that delves into the functioning of Tihar Jail in the 1980s from the perspective of one of its officers.
An actor involved with the show, on condition of anonymity, said, “Neither side is willing to compromise. We were to begin table reads around this time, but I have been asked to release my dates now. That means the show is on hold for now.”
Complicating matters further is Motwane’s schedule. The filmmaker has a biopic on former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and a web series in the pipeline. He was to wrap up Black Warrant 2 by the year-end before moving on to the biopic. “If this window is lost, he cannot return to the project for at least a year,” added a member of the crew.
Meanwhile, a Netflix insider indicated that the platform’s priority is to get a wider audience base for Black Warrant 2. “The first season won critical acclaim, but was not widely watched. We are trying to change that because the show has great direction, good actors, and a hard-hitting story,” said the insider, conceding that the ongoing uncertainty could affect cast schedules and budgets. “The drafts will require some rewriting, but the show is happening from our end. That said, if things don’t progress swiftly, it risks losing the buzz generated by the opening season.”
mid-day reached out to Motwane and Netflix India. Both didn’t respond till press time.
Rajkummar Rao opens up about playing Sourav Ganguly in his biopic: "Being a left-handed batter is a different ball game"
10:57 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 15, 2025)
Getting Sourav Ganguly’s stamp of approval even before he has stepped into his shoes must be a huge boost of confidence for Rajkummar Rao. In June, the former cricketer, counted among India’s most successful skippers, called Rao “the right person” to portray him in his in-the-works biopic that will be helmed by Vikramaditya Motwane. He had added, “I don’t think anyone else can play me better than him.” Armed with this tall praise, the actor is set to begin training for the Ganguly biopic by October.
Ganguly’s words have brought relief as well as a sense of responsibility to Rao, who says, “I am relieved to hear that Dada [Ganguly] thinks I can portray him correctly on screen. It’s an extremely challenging role and a big responsibility. I’m nervous, but I will do my best not to let him down.”
The yet-untitled biopic was originally scheduled to roll by the end of July. However, Motwane and Rao will now take it on the floors only in January 2026. Reason? The filmmaker wants the script, currently in development, to be perfected down to the last detail — one that does justice to the sportsperson’s storied career.
The leading man explains, “Everybody is taking a lot of care in recreating Dada’s life for a theatrical experience. We have pushed the shooting to next year as we needed some time for the prep. It’s a big responsibility to play one of our most iconic heroes in cricket.”
This won’t be the first time Rao will hit the pitch for a movie. The actor played a failed cricketer-turned-coach in Mr & Mrs Mahi (2024). For the role, he had undergone cricket training and spent time with professional cricketers.
Tell him that will come in handy, and Rao disagrees, pointing out, “While I know how to play cricket, being a left-handed batter is a different ball game altogether. The muscle memory is all about being a right-handed batter. So, I need some time to practise. I have deliberately not met Dada yet. I want to meet him when we fully get into prep mode.”
While the biopic is slated for a December 2026 release, this year looks equally exciting for Rao, who is ready with his first production, Toaster, along with actor and his wife Patralekhaa. His mantra behind the banner is simple. “We want to produce stories that are unique in nature, [and don’t follow] the herd mentality.”
Rajkummar Rao to begin Aditya Nimbalkar’s murder comedy before Sourav Ganguly biopic
9:37 AM
With Sourav Ganguly’s biopic in pre-production, sources say Rajkummar Rao to kick off director Aditya Nimbalkar’s murder comedy
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 9, 2025)
There is much interest in the Sourav Ganguly biopic as it not only focuses on one of Indian cricket’s most successful skippers, but also marks Rajkummar Rao and filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane’s reunion after Trapped (2017). But there is still time before they take the movie on floors as it’s currently in pre-production. That has left Rao with enough window to begin work on his next, directed by Aditya Nimbalkar.
mid-day has learnt that the Netflix film is a dark comedy centred on a murder. The shoot is expected to begin this month. A source revealed, “It will be shot at 1 Aerocity in Marol, and Film City in Goregaon, Mumbai. Aditya has charted out a two-month shoot. Rajkummar was so impressed by the script that he also came on board as a co-producer.”
The film marks his second production after Toaster, which is slated to drop on Netflix this year.
Another insider shares that the yet-untitled film is far removed from Nimbalkar’s last release, the gritty Sector 36 (2024). “This film offers a new take on the murder mystery genre, with lots of quirky elements. It’s a black comedy.”
The makers are apparently eyeing an early 2026 release.
Ranbir Kapoor would be the right fit for my biopic-Yuvraj Singh
4:19 PM
Sundas Jawed (BOMBAY TIMES; January 17, 2024)
A left-handed all-rounder with a record of being the only Indian cricketer who smashed six sixes in a single over in 2007’s T20 World Cup, former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh is a fighter both on and off the field. Lovingly known as Yuvi, the cricketer was in Kolkata on Saturday afternoon where he expressed his wish of Ranbir Kapoor doing his biopic, striking a balance between work and fatherhood and more. Excerpts.
‘No regrets about captaincy’
Talking about having no regrets, except one, the left-handed all-rounder said, "Now there are three teams, more than one captains but back then, it wasn’t like this. Dada (Sourav Ganguly) was a great captain, so was Mahi (Mahendra Singh Dhoni). I’ve no regrets as becoming captain is about destiny. I gave my all as a team member and that is all that matters to me. The only regret I’ve is that I could have played more test matches."
Biopic plans
When asked about which actor would be the right choice for his biopic, the cricketer said, "I recently watched Animal and I think Ranbir Kapoor would be the right fit for my biopic. But eventually, it’ll be the director’s call. We’re definitely working on it and will have some good news soon."
'Time to give back to the country for its undying support’
Yuvraj says that back in the day, the infrastructure for cricket training was not up to the mark. Emphasizing on the importance of creating an atmosphere where young cricketers can pursue cricket professionally, he said, “Young kids aged between 10-19 should receive the best of training which can help them build a career for themselves. The country has given us so much love and support whenever we were playing abroad, now it’s time to give back to the country by creating an atmosphere conducive to the growth of young kids for them to learn, grow and play professional cricket.”
‘I want to give my kids the best education and life’
Yuvraj likes being a hands-on father, he says, “My kids are in England so I’ve to go back and forth to see them. My whole world revolves around my kids. Our lives change once we become parents. You want to give them the best of everything and I am trying my best to give them the best education and life,” said the left-handed all-rounder.
Yuvi’s message to students
When asked about his message for young students of the nation, the cricketer said, “Education and sports both are really important. My message to students is that they should focus on both the things, and once you know what you are good at, pursue your career in that.”
The cricket legend was in the city to inaugurate the Yuvraj Singh Centre of Excellence and High Performance Centre in collaboration with the Merlin Group.
Ayushmann Khurrana to commence shoot of Sourav Ganguly biopic in December
9:11 AM
With Ayushmann tipped to play former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly in biopic, sources say actor to kick off shoot in December
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; September 1, 2023)
Who will play Sourav Ganguly on screen? That has been the big question since 2021 when the former Indian cricket captain announced the biopic. Speculation intensified earlier this year with Ayushmann Khurrana and Ranbir Kapoor said to be the frontrunners for the role.
In May, mid-day reported that Khurrana would team up with director Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth for the biopic (Ayush to play Dada on screen, May 31). Now, it has been learnt that the actor-director duo will kick off the shoot in December.
Portraying one of India’s most successful skippers won’t come easy. The actor will have to train in various aspects— from replicating Ganguly’s batting stance to perfecting his manner of hitting winners on the off-side. An advantage that Khurrana enjoys is that he is a left-handed batter like the former cricketer.
A source reveals, “Ayushmann will begin training next month in Mumbai, giving him over two months to prep for the role before the project goes on floors in December.” Ganguly, who is closely involved with the Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg production, is said to have already met the leading man. It’s uncertain yet whether the first schedule will be shot in Mumbai or in the former cricketer’s native city, Kolkata.
Khurrana and Garg remained unavailable for comment.
Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Akshay Kumar among celebrity investors betting big on startups
8:22 AM
Celebrity investors across Bollywood and sports double down on emerging startups and D2C brands
Ratna Bhushan (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; July 21, 2023)
Chin up, startups. Just when private equity and venture capital investments in large Indian startups have hit a four-year low, another set of investors are doubling down on emerging startups and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands like never before – celebrities across Bollywood and sports.
Sustainable baby care brand SuperBottoms on Thursday announced Alia Bhatt as its investor. Earlier this month, Parineeti Chopra acquired a minority stake in personal care brand Clensta, former cricketer Sourav Ganguly picked up a stake in food delivery startup JustMyRoots, and Suniel Shetty invested in do-it-yourself healthcare venture The Biohacker.
Executives expect the trend to continue. It's a win-win proposition, they said, with these mostly consumer-facing startups getting a face to push their brands besides the money, and celebrities getting a low-risk, high-potential investment opportunity.
“At a time when traditional established funds may not be investing with as much frequency, what is working for actors or sports celebrities as individual investors is that these new businesses are low-scale, low-risk, and don’t require large funds. Hence, we are seeing a lot of mid-sized endorsements moving to ownership,” said Manish Porwal, managing director at a talent management and marketing company Alchemist, which works with L’Oréal and Reliance Group.
“This trend will escalate,” said Kannan Sitaram, partner and cofounder of early-stage venture fund Fireside Ventures. “For celebrities, such investments are strategic deals which pay off in many multiples in the long term.”
Fireside Ventures has invested in diverse D2C brands such as Traya, Slurrp Farm, The Sleep Company and Pilgrim. “While overall investments in startups have come down, we continue to see lot of traction in the D2C space,” Sitaram said.
Other such deals in the past quarter include Sanjay Dutt investing in alcobev startup Cartel & Bros, D2C health foods maker WickedGud raising Rs 2.25 crore from Shilpa Shetty, Katrina Kaif investing in health and wellness platform Hyugalife, Suniel Shetty picking up stake in edtech firm Klassroom Edutech, and Good Glamm group setting up a joint venture with Akshay Kumar to sell personal care and wellness products for men.
“For the mid-sized startups and D2C brands, it works really well…since they get star power for their new emerging brands, and deals don’t always involve only financials since they include endorsements,” said Vinita Bangard, founder of talent management company Krossover Entertainment.
She said presence on digital and social platforms like Instagram and Twitter are key advantages the celebrities bring to emerging brands, which would otherwise require long-term investment and scale.
This comes at a time when startup funding has slowed down and some larger startups are facing governance issues.
The Indian startup ecosystem reported the lowest funding in the last four years during January-June 2023, at $3.8 billion across 298 deals, a decline of 36% compared to July-December 2022 which had seen cumulative funding of $5.9 billion, PwC said in a report earlier this month.
The accounting giant attributed the decline to increase in due diligence by larger established investors before making investments both in terms of detailing as well as coverage – from typical finance and legal, to areas like technology, HR and business processes.
Almost all the celebrity investment deals are structured such that the celebrities also endorse the brands, and hence, the brands don’t need to hire external names to cut through clutter in the categories where they are competing in.
Chopra announced her first strategic investment on her Instagram page, stating: “I’m (finally) getting to do something that I have been wanting to do for four years but needed the right team to do it with.”
Porwal of Alchemist said, “For the celebrities, it’s also about creating hedge models for their personal career growth at a time when movies have much shorter shelf lives and there’s an influx of social media and micro influencers who brands rope in for endorsements often at one-tenth the fees.”
While Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Virat Kohli have backed multiple early-stage and growth-stage startups and D2C brands for some time now, the trend has escalated to a new high with beauty and fashion, edtech, food and fitness being the sectors with the largest investments.
Sourav Ganguly is a living legend and a biopic on him will be very special-Ranbir Kapoor
8:27 AM
Ranbir Kapoor and Sourav Ganguly deny finalizing the casting for the former BCCI president’s biopic while keeping speculations alive
Ruman Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; February 28, 2023)
Ranbir Kapoor, who was in Kolkata on Sunday, won over his fans when he played a spot of cricket with Sourav Ganguly at the Eden Gardens. The friendly match was significant as it came at a time when speculations about the actor playing Sourav in the latter’s upcoming biopic have hit a crescendo. Though both refuted the ‘rumour’, there was enough action on and off the field on Sunday to keep the speculations alive.
RANBIR ON DADA’S BIOPIC
“I think Dada is a living legend, not just in India but also around the world. And a biopic on him will be very special. Unfortunately, mujhe yeh film offer nahi huyi hai. I think the makers are still writing the script.”
...ON PLAYING CRICKET WITH SOURAV AT EDEN GARDENS
“It’s a dream come true. Dada bowled 10 balls to me, and it’s just like every kid’s dream to play with him at Eden. I’m going to cherish this moment.”
‘I’M A BIG FAN OF MISHTI DOI’
Ranbir evidently had a finger on the pulse of the City of Joy when he said that he enjoyed aloo posto, puri and shorshe maachch for lunch. He added, “I’m a big mishti doi lover. Toh main char balti mishti doi kha ke aaya hoon.”
He was also happy discussing football leagues and World Cup matches during his interactions. At Eden Gardens, even as Sourav heaped praise on Ranbir as an actor, the star called Sourav a “national treasure”.
‘A BIOPIC TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT’
The actor said, “Har biopic ke liye bahut mehnat lagti hai. When I did Sanju, it was not just about how he walks and looks, but more about what he is as a person, his soul. I think that is more exciting as an actor. To me, understanding a human being deeply before portraying him is very important. Main gyarah saal se Kishore Kumar ke biopic pe kaam kar raha hoon. We’ve been writing that with Anurag Basu and I’m hoping that it’s going to be my next biopic.”
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (February 28, 2023)
Speculation around Ranbir Kapoor being finalised for the biopic of former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly doesn’t seem to die down anytime soon. A bunch of photos showing Kapoor and Ganguly playing cricket at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens surfaced online on Sunday, fuelling the speculation. While the photos sparked excitement among fans, the actor has set the record straight once and for all.
During an event in Kolkata for the promotion of his next movie, the 40-year-old said, “I think dada (Sourav Ganguly) is a living legend, not just in India but around the world. A biopic on him will be very special. Unfortunately, mujhe yeh film offer nahin hui hai. I think the makers (filmmaker Luv Ranjan and team) are still writing the script.”
However, there’s one biopic that Kapoor seems to be super excited about — that of legendary singer-actor Kishore Kumar (born Abhas Kumar Ganguly).
“I have been working on a biopic on Kishore Kumar for the last 11 years. We have been writing that with (filmmaker) Anurag Basu and I’m hoping that it’s going to be my next biopic,” said the actor, who played actor Sanjay Dutt in the latter’s 2018 biopic Sanju. “But maine abhi tak dada ke upar jo biopic ban rahi hai, uske baare mein kuchh suna nahin hai. So, I don’t know,” added Kapoor.
Ranbir Kapoor to play Sourav Ganguly? ‘Just a rumour right now’
8:11 AM
As per buzz, Sourav has said yes to the final draft of the script
Onkar Kulkarni and Ruman Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; February 24, 2023)
In 2021, former Indian men’s cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly took to social media to share that a biopic on his life is in the offing, and that it will be produced by Luv Ranjan’s banner. Last month, it was reported that Ranbir Kapoor was the top contender for the lead role.
However, Sourav had dismissed the news back then, saying, “No final decision has been taken. I hope we can share something positive after the meeting.”
A few days ago, rumours resurfaced that Ranbir is likely to head to Kolkata soon to visit the iconic Eden Gardens, CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) office and even Ganguly’s house before he starts shooting for the biopic, which is speculated to be mounted on a huge budget. Sourav has reportedly said yes to the final draft of the script and the film is supposed to roll out soon.
When we reached out to the film’s co-producer, Ankur Garg, he said, “Honestly, there’s no update to share at this point in time. The biopic will be one of the projects that we will focus on after our upcoming film’s release. For now, casting or anything else hasn’t been discussed.”
Sourav’s wife, Dona Ganguly, said, “I am not sure. I don’t know yet,” and added all speculations are too premature.
Sanjay Das, a close friend of Sourav and one of the initiators of this biopic, shared, “Nothing about the film is fixed yet. We will need at least eight-nine months to decide who will play the lead role. Once everything falls into place, Sourav and the production house will formally announce who will play his character on screen. That Ranbir Kapoor is likely to play Dada is just a rumour, at least at this point.”
Sourav Ganguly told me, ‘Mithali Raj is legendary. You must do this well’-Srijit Mukherji
10:52 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 12, 2022)
It took him five years to return to direct a full-blown Bollywood film after Begum Jaan in 2017. In a conversation with Bombay Times, National Award-winning director Srijit Mukherji talks about making his upcoming film,
Shabaash Mithu headlined by Taapsee Pannu, which is based on the life of ace cricketer Mithali Raj, his passion for the sport and the changing norms of content creation today. Excerpts:
Shabaash Mithu had a different director on board earlier and when you took charge, the film had already gone on floors. Was it difficult to find your space in such a scenario?
It was difficult. The pre-production work was already over and I had to restructure it. The original plan had to be changed. Looking at the way modern cricket-watching has evolved, we could not shoot matches for real. We decided to use footage, which was the more prudent thing to do. Also, we were shooting with COVID scare still in the air. A lot of locations became out of bounds and so on. So, we had to restructure the blueprint, which was challenging, but we managed well. As an ardent cricket follower, I was clear about how those portions had to be shot and shown in the movie.
We even cast many state-level players in the film, which is easier than training actors to become cricketers. Also, I reinstated certain things that had been taken out of the original screenplay. The points where your vision doesn’t match the writer’s or the studio that’s backing the film, is where you have to arrive at a consensus, which I enjoyed.
Since Taapsee had already prepped herself based on the vision of another filmmaker, how did you get her on board with how you wanted to shape the film?
It started with our first meeting where we started talking about her stance and I suggested some technical changes to the way she held the bat and her body language. Subsequently, it turned into a freewheeling chat about issues like how there is inherent sexism in the way cricket is perceived in India, the lack of focus on women’s issues, how Mithali has been vociferous about these matters and has fought a hard battle for several years. I’ve followed Taapsee on social media, and she has similar views about sexism, pay parity and so on. We also discussed how much the script emphasizes on these points, how the message in the film should be strong but put across subtly without being preachy and how we should do all of this without sacrificing the cricket portions. I was extremely excited to work with Taapsee. I had first met her when Pink had released, and we’ve been in touch since then. We always discussed stories, but I guess the stars aligned themselves for this special project. Taapsee lends herself wonderfully to the role — she’s incredibly hardworking and a natural athlete. Cricket is my first passion in life. I ventured into it as a writer, a commentator and a reader. I’m glad Taapsee and I came together to make Shabaash Mithu.
Women cricketers have not received that kind of adulation and attention that their male counterparts enjoy in our country. Given that this is a sports biopic, how did you strike a balance between talking about these topics while keeping the focus on a legendary cricketer’s journey?
Most of the sequences depicted in the film have happened in Mithali’s life. Our writer, Priya Aven, has articulated them wonderfully in the screenplay. I just shot them dramatically, which I felt was needed. Before every sequence, Priya, Taapsee and I would discuss everything — from the setting to the dialogues to how they had to be delivered to ensure that they don’t sound textbookish. While writing the film, Priya shadowed Mithali, interviewed her and spoke to her at length. After that, when I joined in, I also started interacting with Mithali. She would be at different tournaments and in bio bubbles, but she would answer all my queries. I had a lot of technical questions about the evolution of her stance, her grip, whether she had ever done any sledging on the field, her evolving body language and her stroke-making style. These were small, but extremely important parts of depicting her journey on screen. Shooting the cricket portions was the most difficult aspect. We were still in the thick of the pandemic. Also, there was a lot of rain to be battled. Shooting outdoors was a nightmare. Strangely, the only thing that favoured us was that the grounds could be kept empty. India mein women’s cricket mein stadium nahi bharte, so we didn’t have to show that, which was an advantage as far as shooting the film was concerned at that time.
As a cricket enthusiast, what took you so long to make a film revolving around the sport?
It took this long because of Sourav Ganguly. I’m fond of dada and I wanted to start by making his biopic. We kept exchanging notes and I had researched and figured out everything. We kept discussing things over three-four years, but he was so busy that we couldn’t make this work. I couldn’t translate my research into something concrete. So, when Shabaash Mithu came to me, I informed him and he was happy for me. In fact, he said, ‘She is legendary. You must do this well.’ Now, I hear his biopic is being made by another production house.
You made your first Hindi film, Vidya Balan-starrer Begum Jaan, in 2017. If one doesn’t count the anthology, Ray, in the online space, it took you five years to make another Hindi film...
My first Hindi film didn’t work at the box office. I got Ray because my direction was appreciated for Begum Jaan. Success begets success in Bollywood. Begum Jaan barely broke even. With that tag, it gets difficult. If it were a hit, I would have had more offers. But trust me, I didn’t mind it because I feel it’s important to tell stories, irrespective of the language. Today, I want to make films in different languages. I want to make a movie in Malayalam with Fahadh Faasil. I am in talks for a web series where I want to cast a brilliant artiste like Nimisha Sajayan.
OTT has broken the language barrier. Fahad and Nimisha have a following all over the country. In the last five years, I won three National Awards for my Bengali films. I have travelled to festivals with my material and had a blast. I am ready to work in any language, as long as I work on my terms. When I was making Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga, I wasn’t getting funds because the hero of the film was Pankaj Tripathi. OTT platforms changed that barometer completely. The OTT revolution has given brilliant actors and directors their due recognition. Shefali Shah and Rasika Duggal are the busiest names in the market. I have a plethora of things that I’m in talks to make after this. So, irrespective of the language of the content, I have exciting times to look forward to.
From love life with Dona Ganguly to shirtless moment at Lord’s: Milestones in Sourav Ganguly’s journey to be part of his biopic
8:08 AM
Ruman Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; July 16, 2021)
When we reached out to Sourav’s wife Dona yesterday, she told us, “Several production houses in Mumbai and Kolkata have shown keen interest in the biopic and we are considering all options. The biopic is still in its nascent stage, but it is happening for sure.”
A source close to Sourav told us, “The scriptwriting process is currently underway and Dada is having a series of meetings with the film team to share his inputs on the biopic. Although he has not signed the film yet, work on the project has kicked off.”
The source further added that Sourav’s daughter Sana is very happy and excited with the news of a biopic being made on her father. “Sana has several suggestions that she keeps sharing with Sourav. The biopic has become a hot topic of discussion at all of their family gatherings, where everyone joins in the excitement by sharing their suggestions on which iconic moments of Sourav’s life should be featured in the film,” said the source.
We also heard that Sourav’s relationship with wife Dona during his school days will be shown in the film. “Their affair used to be the talk of the town back then and the film will include that part of Dada’s early life, among many other phases. The milestone moments of his life — like the one where Dada went shirtless on the balcony of Lord’s Cricket Ground — will of course be featured,” added the source. Some of the other highlights of the biopic would be Sourav’s inglorious Chappell years and his magnificent knocks throughout his cricketing career.
— With inputs from Debolina Sen
Who will play Sourav Ganguly in his biopic? Experts share their choices
8:16 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 15, 2021)
It’s official. A biopic on sports icon Sourav Ganguly is in the works. A News18 report said while Ganguly had confirmed the film, being produced by by a big banner, will be in Hindi, the director’s name couldn’t be revealed. But the biggest question remains: who will play Dada on screen?
Ranbir Kapoor has emerged hot favourite, and trade analyst Komal Nahta agrees. “It is psychological but Ranbir definitely fits the bill. He will look like Ganguly, one has seen him play Sanjay Dutt in Sanju (2018),” he feels.
While many hailed Kapoor as the best choice, other names too are being floated. Producer-trade expert Girish Johar believes Varun Dhawan is a good option. “Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao would be the other obvious choices. But it would also be possible to see Varun. He’s a saleable name, the only thing is he hasn’t experimented much. This will do what Sanju did to Ranbir’s career, add a feather to Dhawan’s career,” he says.
Vicky Kaushal is another possible option according to trade expert Atul Mohan, who says the actor’s energy in Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) was similar to Ganguly’s on-field dynamism. “Vicky is a good actor. The kind of aggression we have seen in Dada… I have been watching cricket since childhood. Jo woh josh wali baat hai na, how Ganguly would be charged up and the kind of things he has done, I think Vicky is close to that. Rajkummar is also a brilliant actor and a big name. Though, for me, Ranbir would be number one,” he reasons.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says Ganguly’s life would make for a ‘great feature film’, provided it has a good director and a great actor in the lead role. “The actor should match the athlete on screen. There is no official confirmation on the final name. Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh both could play him,” he says, adding one has to wait for the final announcement to know.
Abhinay Deo to use first-of-its-kind mixed-narrative format for cricket drama Doosra
8:28 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (June 27, 2019)
At a time when the country is reeling under the World Cup fever, acclaimed director Abhinay Deo is back with a socio-sports drama titled Doosra. The film traces how cricket has changed modern India, through the eyes of a young girl’s coming-of-age story. The film progresses from 1992 to 2002—a seminal decade in India’s contemporary history. Using a first-of-its-kind mixed-narrative format, Deo weaves archival events in a fictional tale to present a unique hybrid of cinematic story-telling.Doosra meshes two stories of courage and identity. One focusses on a maverick cricket captain, Sourav Ganguly and his defiant young team, and the other chronicles the life of a young girl growing up in an orthodox North-Indian social structure. What brings the two narratives to a head is a single event: when Captain Sourav Ganguly pulls off his T-shirt and waves it bare-chested from the balcony at Lords after the 2002 NatWest final. It was a victory celebration that suddenly transformed into an iconic symbol of national assertiveness for a new generation of Indians.
Director Abhinay Deo says, “We secured our political freedom from the British in 1947. But it was not until July 13, 2002, when Sourav Ganguly stood bare-chested, pumping fists defiantly on that balcony at Lords, that the whole nation and I felt truly comfortable with who we are and with being unapologetically Indian. It’s perhaps because nothing galvanises this country more than cricket. This film presented me with a unique opportunity to chronicle this untold chapter in India’s modern history.”
The idea for Doosra came from Chicago-based executive producers, Masha and Rohan Saideh, which was then developed into a story and screenplay by India’s first advertising Grand Prix winner at Cannes—Agnello Dias. Actors Plabita Borthakur (PK, Lipstick Under My Burkha) and Ankur Vikal (Slumdog Millionaire) play the principal characters.
Sourav Ganguly shakes a leg with Sridevi on his Bengali chat show Dadagiri
7:47 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 29, 2017)
Sridevi, Akshaye Khanna and Nawazuddin Siddiqui are reclusive actors. But the team is going all out to promote their next, 'Mom', a project that is evidently close to their hearts. They are touring several cities in India, and are currently in Kolkata. Among the other promotional activities lined up for today, Sridevi will get chatty with former Indian cricketer, Sourav Ganguly, on his Bengali talk show, 'Dadagiri'.
A source tells mid-day, "They have been shooting at a studio in south Kolkata since 10 am. Ganguly and Sridevi will dance to some of her hit numbers. Since she has a large fan base in Kolkata, her admirers queued up outside the venue at 6 am."
Apart from the film and the show's core team, no one has been allowed on set. The security around the studio has also been upped because a Bollywood celebrity featuring on Dadagiri is a rare. "A bunch of school kids will come to meet Sridevi and if all goes as planned, the actress will shake a leg with them too," says the source.
Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman's mentions dropped from M.S. Dhoni - The Untold Story?
8:36 AM
Clockwise from top left: Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni
In last-minute final-edit call, MSD biopic makers delete names of three top cricketers embroiled in 2008 selection fracas with India captain
Mayank Shekhar (MID-DAY; September 27, 2016)
With just days to go before M.S. Dhoni - The Untold Story hits the screens, the makers have decided to delete the names of three legendary cricketers from a crucial scene.
Ever since the trailer was launched on August 11, online buzz has been centred around the scene where Sushant Singh Rajput, playing MS Dhoni, is being lambasted by selectors for ruthlessly asking for the axing of three senior cricketers.
“Yeh teenon ko nikaalke rukne wala nahin hai (He won’t stop at dropping these three alone),” says a selector in the film, to which Dhoni responds over a video call, “We’re all servants, and we’re all doing national duty.”
The line that follows in the original version of the film names the three said cricketers who, sources told mid-day, are VVS Laxman, Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. Now, in a last-minute call, the filmmakers have self-censored the line directly referring to the names from the final edit of the biopic, the sources added.
Confirming the development, director Neeraj Pandey told mid-day, “The sequence from the promo is very much there in the movie. All we have done is knock off names of the three cricketers who were mentioned. This is as per the original plan, discussed with Dhoni a year and half ago, where we had decided to shoot the scene with the names, yes, but take a call on this only in the final edit.”
The reason behind the decision, as Pandey put it, is to desist from “unnecessarily ruffling feathers, when that is not the intention or tone of the movie.” Asked to name the cricketers who were mentioned in the original version, Pandey laughed, “Are you seriously asking me that question? Obviously I can’t. That would be highly disrespectful of me to do.”
Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman were dropped from the one-day squad for the 2008 Commonwealth Bank Series down under, even as they were set to play the crucial fourth Test of the acrimonious Monkeygate series under Kumble’s leadership.
The selectors and limited overs captain Dhoni, who debuted under Ganguly in ODIs and Dravid in Tests, came under criticism for the axing of the three senior players, that too before the fourth Test was played. While Dravid and Laxman had been out of contention in white ball cricket for some time then, Ganguly’s exclusion became a hot-button issue at the time. The BCCI had to field the then Secretary Niranjan Shah to justify the decision. “The emphasis was on fielding abilities and the team management wanted a young fielding side for the series,” Shah had told the press.
The team management and Dhoni, however, would have eventually felt vindicated as a sprightly India — riding on two Sachin Tendulkar specials — won the series to end a 23-year ODI series win drought in Australia. Dhoni, incidentally, watched the first cut of his biopic last month. What did he think of it?
“Well he just sat in silence for 10 minutes, didn’t speak a word. It was quite an awkward feeling for him, watching his own self, being played by an actor, on the big screen,” Pandey said.
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