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Bollywood's affair with Cricket
These Bollywood flicks are worth keeping an eye on as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup draws near.
Film Posters / IMDb
With the T20 World Cup just around the corner here are some Bollywood movies to help you get into the groove.
Patiala House
With the plethora of non-resident Indians are making a mark on the cricketing world proving that when it comes to cricket, there's no one like the Indians. Watching them basking in the spotlight, will remind Bollywood fans of Akshay Kumar-starrer Patiala House where the protagonist faces the ire of his family and even alienates them to play cricket. The fact that he would be representing England a country his family migrated to but never really accepted as their own didn't bode well with the elders in the family who cautioned him against it. The film beautifully separates the patriotism from the sport and re-establishes that when it comes to cricket, there really are no boundaries.
MS Dhoni: The Untold Story
If there was one biopic that had to be included in this list, it was that of former Indian skipper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, whose career trajectory has been nothing short of miraculous. Not only did he overcome all odds to find a place in the Indian cricket team, he also led it to victory in two World Cups-the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC World Cup in 2011. To watch everyone's favourite skipper tackle all the obstacles that came his way and persisting in his vision to become a part of Team India, is inspiring to say the least. For the avid Bollywood fan, the Sushant Singh Rajput-starrer has enough drama and romance. However, the underlying inspiring thread of the film ties everything together beautifully, leaving you convinced that greatness always finds a way to shine-no matter how long it takes.
Iqbal
Nagesh Kukunoor's Iqbal is one of the earlier cricketing films to have wooed the Bollywood audience. A highly motivational watch, the film documents the journey of its eponymous protagonist-a deaf and mute bowler, played by debutant Shreyas Talpade. Over the course of the film, we watch Iqbal overcoming the doubts that plague him about his talent due to his father's nagging, and become a player for Team India. Not only does the film delve into all the hardwork that goes into the making of a successful cricketing career, it also sheds light on the sacrifices that the players and their families have to make in order to let the cricketer's talent shine through. In an economically developing nation like India, where careers are money-motivated, justifying the need to follow one's passion can be difficult but Iqbal-the character and the film do it in style. A must-watch if you want to appreciate the lives that sportsmen lead.
Kai Po Che!
India loves cricket and as fans of Indian cricket, who better than us to understand the work and effort that goes into the making of a world class cricketer. Abhishek Kapoor's Kai Po Chel, based on Chetan Bhagat's novel, The Three Mistakes of My Life, narrates the story of three friends and their struggles. One of the friends-Ishaan, is an avid cricketer who couldn't make it to the national team due to the internal politics but earned enough fame as a district-level player locally to attract coaching opportunities. He doesn't hesitate to mentor a local boy,
Ali, with limited means but immense talent. His friends, Omi and Govind, sense an opportunity in the cricket craze and their friend, Ishaan's local fame, and spin it into a business idea of selling cricketing gear. They open a joint shop and cricket training academy which soon gains traction among the local cricket enthusiasts. However, like all best laid plans, their idea bites the dust when an earthquake strikes. While the Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao and Amit Sadh - starrer ends on a sombre note, it is the passion with which Ishaan coaches Ali that will resonate with all cricket fans who know their mid-off from their mid-on.
Lagaan
It's not everyday that a film like Lagaan is made, which is ample reason to warrant multiple, repeated watching. However, if you are specifically looking for a film that revolves around cricket, this Aamir Khan-headliner tops the list and for good reason. Not only does it allow the matches to be played out in entirety, with all the drama and ups and downs of regular games, it is also high on patriotism and will help continue the fervour with which you cheered the Men in Blue.
The film's now-iconic story revolves around Bhuvan's XI who put up a strong fight against the goras-the Englishmen who ruled the country-to get their taxes waived off. However, the challenge worked two ways since losing meant paying thrice the amount, which the poor villagers, who tilled the land, could not afford. With some support from the British, a village of farmers create a team that goes on to defeat the English at their own game. Besides the nuances of cricket, the Ashutosh Gowariker film also touches upon caste disparity, albeit briefly, and sums it up by conveying the message of togetherness.
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