Sports biopics of 2019

The year ahead in Bollywood is not just about masala entertainers, but also bringing to screen the stories behind the legendary wins of these sports personalities.

Saina Nehwal
In this yet untitled biopic, we will see actress Shraddha Kapoor putting to life on screen the journey of ace shuttler Saina Nehwal conquering national and international titles. The biopic will also show her win at the 2012 London Olympics where she earned a bronze medal. Directed by Amole Gupte the biopic has been in news since the time it was announced. To prepare herself for the role of a professional badminton player, Shraddha has been taking training from Saina’s coach Pullela Gopichand. The actress’ hardwork has also left her injured several times but she is not leaving any stone unturned.

Shraddha took to social media to sharing the first look of the film, wearing her badminton attire and captioned it #SAINA.

Mithali Raj
While the actress playing Mithali Raj is not yet confirmed, a biopic on the captain of Indian Women’s Cricket team has been announced. The Viacom18 Motion Pictures have announced the film, but the cast and director are still unknown.  However, Taapsee Pannu has shown interest in essaying Mithali on the screen.

Kapil Dev
We have seen the ever-energetic Ranveer Singh delivering some masala entertainers in the gone years, but in 2019 the Simmba actor will be portraying a cricketer. Along with director Kabir Khan, the actor will bring to screen the golden moment of the Indian cricket when under the captaincy of Kapil Dev India won the 1983 World Cup. Hence, aptly titled ‘83 the film will trace Dev’s joureny and how he led India to its first World Cup victory. The actor has already started training for the film.  

Abhinav Bindra
He became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympic games and Bollywood is leaving no chance of showing this extraordinary win. Actor Harsahvardhan Kapoor is playing the role of shooter Abhinav Bhindra and Kannan Iyer is directing this yet untitled biopic. While we have Harshavardhan as Abhinav, senior Kapoor will carry on with his real to reel-life role of a father, except, he will be playing the role of Apjit Bindra.

Though coming from an affluent background, Abhinav had his share of struggles before he  won the medal. Reportedly, the film is based around Abhinav’s own book A Shot At History: My Obsessive Journey To Olympic Gold.

The shoot has already begun and Harshvardhan is getting into full form to play Abhinav.

Dingko Singh
Ngangom Dingko Singh aka Dingko Singh, from Manipur was the first and the only Asian gold medallist boxer from India in the Bantamweight category at just the age of 19. He has also received the Padma Shri in 2013. Now, we will see Shahid Kapoor in the ring as Dingko Singh in a biopic directed by Raja Krishna Menon. However, Dingko’s journey is more than the gold medal. He is a cancer survivor and the actor hopes to show the world the boxer’s strong but  tough life.

Murlikant Petkar
One more biopic that is to hit the floor is of para-athlete Murlikant Petkar who won gold medals at the 1970 Commonwealth Games and 1972 Paralympics in Germany. Prashant Singh will be directing and reportedly  actor Sushant Singh Rajput has been signed on to play the differently-abled sportsman.

Pullela Gopichand
To make a biopic on shuttlers Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, it will only be justified if the story of their coach, Pullela Gopichand is told to the world.

The film is under making and will be released both, in Hindi and Telugu. Announced by Fox Star Studios, Tollywood actor Sudheer Babu is playing the role of Gopichand.

Dhyan Chand
Talking about sports biopics and not taking into account the hockey player Dhyan Chand will be unjustified. Last year, filmmaker Pooja Shetty announced that she’d be making a film on the life of one of the greatest hockey players in the history of sports. The maker has taken permission from Dhyan’s son Ashok Chand who has approved it without any issues, but all he has asked to keep the film as authentic as possible. However, the makers are oscillating between actors Shah Rukh Khan and Varun Dhawan to essay the role of Dhyan Chand.