Cricket and Bollywood, both form an important part of the Indian culture. The outcome of the amalgamation of these two segments is sheer magic. As our Team India is about to open its account at the World Cup 2019 against South Africa today, let’s take a look at thirteen such films that brought out the diverse outlook of cricket before us and won hearts of both cricket and cinema fans.
PeepingMoon.com brings to you an array of interesting, heart-warming, eye-opening and thrilling films that revolve around cricket.
‘83
Although not released yet, ’83 shall be a credible addition to the list of great film made on cricket in Bollywood. The film that has Ranveer Singh cast as former Indian Cricket Team captain Kapil Dev will recreate the historic World Cup win by India in 1983 against West Indies. Coincidently, the film is scheduled to begin its shoot today when Team India is all set to play their first match at the World Cup 2019.
Ranveer Singh with Kapil Dev
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
If you think of cricket-related films then the first name that springs to mind is Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India. Set against the backdrop of drought and poverty in the princely state of Champaner, Lagaan effectively touched upon the social evils caused by the British Raj in India. As the name of the film suggests, Lagaan is about the struggle of Champaner residents against ‘lagaan’ levied by Captain Andrew Russell, the commanding officer of the village. The villagers are unable to pay the heavy tax due to loss caused by prolonged drought. Soon, the villagers meet Andrew to make a request to ward off the taxes. As the meeting proceeds, Aamir Khan’s Bhuvan witnesses an ongoing cricket match and mocks the game, insulting the sentiments of Andrew. The Captain throws a challenge at the villagers that if they win a game of cricket against the British, their taxes will be waived off. Despite disagreement from the villagers’ end, Bhuvan accepts the challenge and builds a team of eleven, just to win the match at the end.
Lagaan is one of its kind films where characters are etched to perfection and the overall feel of the film isn’t glamourised for the sake of commercial success. Leading the pack of a multi-star cast, Aamir injects life into the character of an ordinary villager with a will to get the tax on their land waived off. Bhuvan, here is no superhero with magical powers but a poor localite who learns the game of cricket just to master it and defeat those who are already accustomed to the techniques.
A still from Lagaan
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story remains a forever favourite with not just Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s fans but also the lovers of pure, authentic and enjoyable cinema. MS Dhoni: The Untold Story is a perfect definition of ‘infotainment’. A biopic on a person whose achievements are in the public domain and fresh in the audience’s memory is a tough job but it’s made easy by director Neeraj Pandey and lead actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story traces the journey of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a normal school going boy from Ranchi who gets selected in the school’s cricket team where he receives his primary training to attain heights of success professionally. Mahi, as people fondly call him, is more interested in sports than studies. It is definitely not something that his less educated father supports. As Mahi grows up, his father secures him a government job at Kharagpur railway station, assuring him time to focus on cricket under sports concession. Tired of the mundane Ticket Checker’s duty and guilt of not pursuing his dream, Mahi puts forth his concern before his senior. Soon with the assistance of his superior, Mahi plays a few impressive matches that lead him to play at the national level and the rest, as they say, is history.
The film not just touches upon Dhoni’s professional life but also his personal life. Through the film, we are introduced to his girlfriend Priyanka Jha (Disha Patani) who meets with a tragic end while Dhoni was playing for the nation. Dhoni’s love story with Sakshi Singh Rawat is also beautifully portrayed in the film.
Sushant as Dhoni is as real as he can get. He not just played like Dhoni but also resembled him to an extent. The scene where Dhoni is counter attacking a series of balls thrown by a senior Animesh Kumar Ganguly at is a pure winner and proves that Sushant did his homework really well.
A still from M. S. Dhoni
Iqbal
Iqbal is an emotional take on cricket and a gem in Indian cinema. The film features Shreyas Talpade as the mute and deaf cricket aspirant Iqbal and takes us on his journey through the thick and thin phases to establish himself as a cricketer.
Iqbal’s father, a farmer, wants him to assist at the farm and not dream of becoming a cricketer. However, Iqbal’s sister Khadija gets him enrolled in a nearby cricket academy run by Guruji, a former cricket team captain. Soon, Iqbal is thrown out of the academy due to conflicts with a rich boy Kamal, whose father is responsible for the institute’s funding. The helpless Iqbal seeks the assistance of another former cricketer Mohit, who pushes him ahead to play for the Ranji Cup from Andhra Pradesh. Iqbal, at the match, plays a wonderful inning.
Later in the film, Iqbal plays the match against Kamal’s team for selection in the Indian national team. Guruji bribes Iqbal to not ball properly, giving Kamal a way into the team. Iqbal agrees to Guruji’s offer, considering his family’s financial difficulties. Fortunately, Iqbal receives a better offer from a sports agent and he gives his best shot just to get selected in the Indian cricket team.
Iqbal is a different take on the game of cricket and shows a new side of the coin of cricket. Shreyas was undoubtedly the best choice to play Iqbal and did the role with honesty and convincingly.
A still from Iqbal
Azhar
Mohd Azharuddin’s controversies aren’t unknown to the world and the film also deals with the same. With Emraan Hashmi as Azhar, the film primarily focuses on the cricketer’s scandalous innings as Team India’s captain and his fall from glory in the match-fixing scandal.
Azhar, as the Indian team captain enjoys a great inning on the field until the day when he is accused of match-fixing. Owing to this, BCCI imposes a ban on Azhar which is lifted only after a long battle in the court.
The film also showcases controversies related to Azhar’s love life like getting into an undeclared relationship with Sangeeta Bijlani, a top actress, despite being married to Naureen. He gets married to Sangeeta after divorcing Naureen.
Emraan as Azhar puts in his 100% and attempts to justify the complexities of the character. Azhar is a film that showcases the business of cricket in a different light and indicates that the gentleman’s game can also be tainted.
A still from Azhar
Patiala House
Patiala House talks about the strained relationship between a cricket aspirant son and a simple grocery shop owner father. Gattu aka Akshay Kumar’s father Gurtej Singh Kahlon played by Rishi Kapoor wants his son to help with the grocery store and not become a sportsperson. Although his extended family and girlfriend (Anushka Sharma) are supportive of his dreams and encourage him to try his hand at playing cricket with England’s team.
Gattu follows his ambition and plays for the team by the name of Kaali to keep his identity under wraps. Unaware that Kaali is his own, Gurtej grows fond of his game and compares him to the former cricketer Late Lala Amarnath. As the film concludes, Gurtej learns about Kaali’s reality and accepts his passion for the sport.
Patiala House is a heart-warming family film that teaches us to give space for a person to dream and pursue their passion. This is the first time when Akshay played the role of a sportsperson and nailed it. Rishi, like always, got into the skin of the headstrong, desi father. Patiala House is that one desi film with ‘hridayparivartan’ at the end which indicates that a sport can also change mindsets.
A still from Patiala House
Kai Po Che!
Sushant Singh Rajput’s yet another masterpiece film that dealt with cricket. With Kai Po Che, Sushant established his career as a film star and stole the hearts of many. Kai Po Che is the story of Ishaan, a young cricketer from Gujarat who opens up his own sports kit supply store with his best friends Govind, Omi and his mama.
Ishaan soon begins training a young Muslim schoolboy Ali. Soon, a massive earthquake strikes Navrangpura, where their shop is set up and leads to a major loss. To recover the losses and pay the loan debt, Omi joins his mama’s political party and refuses to lend shelter access to Muslim residents of the affected region. This led to a tiff between Ishaan and Omi and then a temporary break off. However, their differences are sorted when India wins a test match against Australia.
Soon, things go out of control when the Godhra riots take place. Ishaan and Govind take shelter at Ali’s residence. Omi, who is on a verge to kill Muslims, fires a shot at Ali. Ishaan in an attempt to save Ali takes the bullet himself and dies.
Kai Po Che leaves the toughest skinned person in tears with its sensitive approach. With cricket as its sub-theme, the film is surely a winner. The film is based on the best-selling novel Three Mistakes of My Life by Chetan Bhagat.
A still from Kai Po Che!
Sachin: A Billion Dreams
Sachin: A Billion Dreams isn’t a film but an emotion. Although the God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar’s struggle and career isn’t unknown but the film is definitely a guilty pleasure that all Indians enjoy.
The treatment of the film isn’t like a regular feature presentation but a documentary with real footage and real people narrating their story.
In the documentary, Sachin himself shares interesting anecdotes from his personal and professional life and that what makes this film the most special amongst others. Sachin: A Billion Dreams is proof that Sachin has earned this respect and admiration through his grit, determination, talent and hard work and he did not get this on a silver platter.
With each scene and stories, every Indian must have developed a lump in their throat even if they aren’t a Sachin admirer.
Sachin: A Billion Dreams film poster
Jannat
Agree or disagree, cricket across the world gives birth to unparalleled excitement and eagerness to see a particular team winning. This urge leads to betting. Although betting is a punishable crime now but back then when Emraan Hashmi’s Jannat released, it was a trend. Jannat was the first film in Bollywood that dealt essentially on the ill effects of betting and spoke about how a person’s near and dear ones are affected.
Arjun is a young match fixer, who for the sake of money and greed puts his life at risk. He falls in love with Zoya and has a child with her. In order to enjoy a luxurious life, Arjun delves into the dark room of betting and gets sentenced for 5 years. After getting out of jail, he repeats history and travels to Dubai to help the local don with match-fixing. But this time the game gets even dirtier as he ends up losing his life.
Jannat was an eyeopener and an extremely relevant film back then. It was indeed a film ahead of its time.
A still from Jannat
Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii
Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii had us all wanting to be like Karan with the so-called magical bat. Karan is an orphan who lays his hand over a bat and believes it is the same one that Kapil Dev used during the World Cup 1983. As luck has it, he meets the coach of the Indian cricket team and gets selected for a match against Pakistan. Unfortunately, a member of the opposite team destroys his bat before the finale, leaving Karan upset. However, the coach encourages him to give his best shot with another bat. In the end, Karan emerges victorious.
The film teaches us an important lesson that superstitions can fall weak but talent and efforts never fail.
Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii film poster
Dil Bole Hadippa!
The first film that showcases a girl as a cricketer. Dil Bole Hadippa! is the story of Veera who desires to play cricket with the England cricket team led by Rohan. Considering the gender of the player, the team refuses to allow Veera to play with them. Soon, Veera disguises herself as a male player Veer and gets selected in the team.
This film is a true example of women empowerment and was way ahead of its time to think about women playing cricket along with men. Rani headlined the film with a phenomenal performance while Shahid lent great support to her.
A still from Dil Bole Hadippa!
Hattrick
Hattrick is set against multiple situations with a common thread connecting to cricket. The film is about a young married couple who experience differences in their relationship after the husband pays more attention to cricket than his wife. Hattrick is all about making the audience realise that although cricket is an important part of Indian culture but not at the cost of a tiff in relationships.
Hattrick film poster
Awwal Number
Awwal Number featured Aamir Khan in the lead role. Awwal Number is the story of Sunny who is a new cricketing star. He instantly becomes everyone’s favourite in place of Ronny, another cricket team member. Ronny begins hating Sunny and decides to take revenge. In the meanwhile, a bomb has been planted on the field where the final match between India and Australia is held. Fortunately, the DIG learns about it and prevents the bomb blast, saving the lives of thousands. As the film comes to an end, Sunny plays a winning stroke for the team and becomes a star.
Terrorism and cricket is a unique story idea and this is what works in favour of Awwal Number. Needless to say, Aamir’s performance steals the show and makes it an unabashed choice this World Cup Season. Awwal Number happens to be directed by the veteran actor Dev Anand.
Awwal Number film poster
Inside edge
Without Inside Edge, how would our nation get its crush Siddhant Chaturvedi? Inside Edge is India’s first web series on cricket and its hidden evils. The web series discusses the greed, selfishness and malice hidden behind the goodness of cricket. Inside Edge talks about the unknown politics that take place during the team selection. An interesting eye-opener, Inside Edge, makes for a tight and thrilling watch this cricketing season.
Inside Edge poster
(Source: PeepingMoon)
