Arun Pandey, ex India captain MS Dhoni's close friend and the co-producer of his biopic, recalled how Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput felt "concerned" and "under pressure" whether he would be able to do justice to the great cricketer's life on the screen.
It remains a task getting a complete hang of what Dhoni is all about, but Sushant left nothing to fate and worked extremely hard on the film.
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From spending nine months with former India wicket-keeper Kiran More to learn wicketkeeping and practising the famous helicopter shot, Sushant gave it his all and came out with a film that he'll forever be remembered for.
“He was very concerned during the making of the movie about whether he would be able to live Dhoni’s life on the big screen. He was under a lot pressure before the movie release (in 2016),” Pandey told PTI.
"He used to say it often to me that ‘I hope I am able to deliver, else Mahi’s millions of fans will not forgive me ever’. But the hard-worker that he was, I was sure that he would a fine job and he did."
It was his attention to each detail that stood-out, said Arun, as Sushant spent a lot of time studying Dhoni's personality while preparing for the character.
"One day he was practising the helicopter shot and he suffered a strain. We thought he would take some rest and comeback after a while but he said 'there should not be a delay because of me' and was back practising that shot in a week’s time."
"He used to ask a lot of questions to Mahi, the little things that make the difference. The fact they both had a Bihar connection also helped them develop a bond."
Pandey wouldn't forget how through Sushant he got the chance to relive his cricketing days with Dhoni, who used to play for Air India and stayed in Delhi for a while.
"I always cherish the time when Mahi and I took Sushant to his Air India Colony house in Delhi," he said. "He went with us as Mahi recollected his old days and things like where he used to sit and eat, Sushant would do the same to feel the character."
“There was a spot in the house where Mahi used to lie down on the ground and Sushant did that too. He always felt very lucky to be playing Dhoni’s character."
On Sunday (June 14), Sushant passed away at the age of just 34, leaving the world in complete shock and his fans hurting.
Pandey said he can't think of anyone else doing justice to Dhoni's role if he were to plan a sequel to the biopic.
"There were no plans for a sequel and with him not being us, I don’t think it is even a possibility. The news of him passing away is unbelievable," he said.
"I never expected him to do something like this, he was so full of life. Before the (COVID-19) lockdown, we had a gym session together and we were in regular touch."
“But this can happen with anyone and just shows that why it is very important to not lose your old self when you reach the top."
(Inputs from PTI)
