Biopics on sports legend has become a norm in the industry. Earlier, Sushant Singh Rajput pulled off former Indian Cricket Team’s captain- Mahendra Singh Dhoni, which shattered the Box-Office with its collection. It would be interesting to see Ranveer Singh pull off a Kapil Dev.
It is unarguably one of the most cherished moments in Indian history. And Ranveer Singh has taken the responsibility of bringing it to the big screen. The actor will be seen portraying Kapil Dev in Kabir Khan’s drama that traces India’s victory in the 1983 cricket World Cup. One to take challenges head-on in his seven-year-long career so far, Singh is well-aware that replicating a journey that millions of Indians hold close to their heart will be an arduous task.
“I am honoured to be a part of this great story, but at the same time, I don’t know how I am going to do it,” the actor said at the special event organized to honour the cricketing legends who brought laurels to the country, before the film goes on floors. The event saw most players of the famed 1983 squad in attendance, including then-captain Dev, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Mohinder Amarnath, Sandeep Patil, Roger Binny, Dilip Vengsarkar, Balwinder Sandhu, Kirti Azad, Ysahpal Sharma, Sunil Valson and Madan Lal.
He also shared that he owes his success as an actor to Amarnath. “I had played Giles Shield during my school days. My friends and I decided to take coaching lessons from the great Mohinderji at Khar Gymkhana.
As usual, I reached late for my practice sessions and being the hyperactive kid that I was, I walked up to him to shake hands with him not realising that my friends are standing in the queue for a reason,” he laughed before adding, “Mohinderji rejected me after seeing me play. I think it was a good decision, or else I wouldn’t have been an actor today.”
At the official announcement of Ranveer Singh signed on-board to play the dynamic Captain Kapil Dev, he was all smitten by the infectious energy in the air created by the cricket legends. Ecstatic about the association, the ‘Befikre’ boy said, “How am I going to do this!?” He added, “It’s my honour and privilege to do this film.” The cricket buff himself, Ranveer was fascinated by watching the legends who got India its first Cricket World Cup.
