Indian sports greats are getting biopics chronicling the struggles and hard work of their life to reach where they are right now.
Recently, reports suggested former India cricketer Sourav Ganguly may get a biopic from Balaji Telefilms which will be based on his book 'A Century is not Enough'.
Ganguly was asked about the biopic, if he is approached for it or not and he answered, “Ekta Kapoor approached me and we talked about it once. Nothing went further than that. I have never thought of a biopic though there are a host of sports biopics being made. If there is time, then someone will make one on me. Hope people would be interested in seeing the film."
Does he like biopics? Has he ever watched a biopic on any cricketer? Well, yes Ganguly has watched a couple of biopics. “I liked the Dhoni biopic. Tendulkar’s biopic (Sachin A Billion Dreams) was a little different. Now we have a film on the 1983 World Cup winning team. That will be huge and I will definitely watch it. As far as my biopic is concerned, we will wait and see,” he added.
Sourav was in Mumbai for the launch of the trailer 22 Yards. Both are associated since the journalism days of Mithali. “I remember Mitali’s first interview with me and her first question was why I wasn’t able to score a century yet again in that particular match,” he laughed. Adding a word of appreciation for the cast and crew, he said, “I have seen all of them come over to Kolkata and shoot the film passionately.”
Ganguly was also asked about the comments made by Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul on Koffee with Karan. “I haven’t watched the episode. I only watch Comedy Nights with Kapil,” he said.
However, he defended the cricketer and added that “people make mistakes” but everyone should move on and ensure it doesn’t happen again. "We are all human beings. We are not machines that everything you put in comes out perfect. You have just got to live life and let others live. They are responsible people. They may be role models but they are under pressure all the time to perform.”
Are players of this generation indisciplined? Ganguly disagrees and gave an example of Indian skipper Virat Kohli. “Virat Kohli is such a fantastic role model. We are fortunate that our country produces such great cricketers. When Gavaskar came, we wondered who’s going to be next and then came Tendulkar. After his innings, came Virat Kohli,” he said. “A lot of cricketers come from a middle-class background and are very good human beings also. Imagine 11 players being selected to play out of those millions who may have come forward to be selected. To be picked amongst those for the National team and play for 15-16 years is absolutely special. So, if you do not score, somebody else comes in. That’s what life is all about so they are very humble. I know most of them personally and I know they are great guys,” he concluded.
(With Inputs of Deccan Chronicle)
