Internet Desk: Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh is all set to play the role of Kapil Dev in filmmaker Kabir Khan’s next directorial “83”. The film is based on Indian cricket team’s first World Cup win in 1983 at Lords. The film backed by Vishnu Vardhan Induri of Vibri Media and founder of CCL, along with Phantom Films was launched in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Most of the team members of Kapil’s Devils was present today for the launch of the film. Cricketers present at the event were Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Mohinder Amarnath, Yashpal Sharma, Kapil Dev, Sandeep Patil, Kirti Azad, Roger Binny, Madan Lal, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Dilip Vengaskar among others.
The main attraction of the film will be the “Bajirao Mastani” star Ranveer Singh who plays the role of Haryana Hurricane.
The casting of the other cricket players is currently in process. The film will be shot at real locations and will go on floors early next year.
An excited Ranveer Singh admitted his shock when Kabir Khan narrated him the script.
“I was born into a time when cricket was the number one sport in our country, it was the biggest thing and I never knew the back story. When Kabir Khan told me I am making a film on 1983 I was like finally the greatest sport story is coming into screen,” Ranveer said.
“It came as a huge surprise to me when Kabir sir started narrating me the story. It was so surprising to learn the odds against which these gentlemen had to fight for the greatest sports triumph. More than a great sports story it’s a great human story. It is exciting and surreal for me,” he added.
Filmmaker Kabir Khan said the Indian cricket team of the 1983 changed the face of the game completely and it will be a great responsibility for him to portray that on screen.
“Once in a lifetime you get a story when every pore of your body screams to tell the story. This is that story in my life. This is a story which should never be forgotten,” Kabir told reporters here.
The “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” filmmaker said he wants his son to be as proud of the victory as he was back then.
“For me, it’s a great responsibility. I want to make my son feel as proud of the team as I did back then as a school boy.”
Kabir said when he saw the cricket team’s win, he did not realise how big it is going to be.
“When I was watching this match as a young boy, I didn’t realise the implication of the win. I didn’t realise cricket was going to change forever from that day.