'Zila Ghaziabad' director announces biopic on Bhaichung Bhutia
What's the story
Director Anand Kumar, best known for Sanjay Dutt-Vivek Oberoi starrer 'Zila Ghaziabad', is working on ex-football captain of India, Bhaichung Bhutia's biopic. Kumar is currently in the process of finalizing a director and lead actor for the film. Bhutia joins the pantheon of sports personalities such as Milkha Singh, Paan Singh Tomar, Mary Kom, MS Dhoni and Sandeep Singh to be immortalized on celluloid.
Aspirations
Playing football for India wasn't my only dream: Bhutia
Bhutia is excited about the project and he believes the filmmaker is the right person to honor his journey. Going further, the Sikkimese Sniper said, "I hail from a small town in Sikkim, but playing football for India was not my only dream. I always wanted to own a professional football club and I realized that dream with United Sikkim (his football club)."
Assurance
When learned Prashant Pandey's writing the film, felt relieved: Bhutia
The 41-year-old footballer-turned-politician said he will be involved in all the creative aspects of the film. "I want the biopic to be as close to reality as possible. I was concerned about the writing process, but the moment I learned that Anand has got Prashant Pandey (writer of 'Sarkar', 'Poorna' and 'Raid') on board, I was relieved," said Bhutia, who played as a striker.
Idea
Noticed a change in sporting passion during 2018 WC: Kumar
Explaining why Bhutia's story makes for a compelling film, Kumar said, "He has won the Padma Shri and has been a role model for many." Also during 2018 FIFA World Cup, Kumar noticed that "there has been a change in the sporting passion in India because a large section of India's youth is now inclined towards football." That's how the idea struck him.
Details
Biopics on Bindra, Nehwal, Sindhu also getting made
Besides Bhutia, biopics on sports legends such as PT Usha, Mithali Raj, Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Jhulan Goswami, Baloo Palwankar, Abhinav Bindra and Pullela Gopichand are also in the works. While Shraddha Kapoor will play the role of Nehwal, Deepika Padukone is termed as a suitable actor to play Sindhu. Meanwhile, Harshvardhan Kapoor has already started shooting for Bindra's biopic, based on his biography.