We won’t be wrong if we say that cricket is the most loved sport in India. Whenever there’s a match where India is playing everyone is glued to the TV screens. Bollywood filmmakers have explored cricket on the big screen a lot by offering different stories revolving around the sport.
So, today let’s look at the list of Hindi films that were based on cricket…
Lagaan
When we talk about movies based on cricket in Bollywood, the first one in the list has to be Aamir Khan starrer Lagaan. The fictional story about a match between villagers of India and the Britishers was loved by everyone. The movie was India’s official entry at the Oscars and was also nominated in the category of Best Foreign Language Film.
Iqbal
Nagesh Kukunoor’s directorial Iqbal which marked Shreyas Talpade’s debut in Bollywood was an inspiring film. The movie was about a deaf and mute guy who dreams to play for the Indian cricket team. Kukunoor narrated the story beautifully and Talpade acted very well in it. If you are a fan of cricket then you should watch Iqbal at least once.
Patiala House
Akshay Kumar starrer Patiala House told the story of a man from London who wants to play cricket. But as he is from the UK, he can’t play for India and his father is not allowing him to play for England. The movie showcases Akshay’s character’s passion for cricket and how his family helps him to fulfill his dream.
Dil Bole Hadippa
Why should boys have all the fun? Most of the movies based on cricket have male protagonist, but 2009 release Dil Bole Hadippa was different. The lead character was a girl who was so passionate about cricket that she decides to play the sport by cross-dressing as a guy. Though the film didn’t do well at the box office, Rani Mukerji’s performance was appreciated a lot.
Azhar
Azhar starring Emraan Hashmi was a biopic on former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin. It showcased the highs and lows of the cricketer and when the movie released it received mixed reviews. A lot of people claimed that the film was just an image-washing for Azharuddin.
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the most famous cricketers. It was truly an amazing experience to witness his life story on the big screen. Neeraj Pandey’s M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story starring Sushant Singh Rajput was a big hit at the box office and it is regarded as one of the best biopics made in Bollywood.
The Zoya Factor
— (@)
Soon, we will be witnessing one more film on the big screen that would revolve around cricket. We are talking about The Zoya Factor. The film starring Sonam Kapoor and Dulquer Salmaan will tell the story of a girl who becomes a lucky charm for the Indian cricket team. The Zoya Factor is slated to release on 20th September 2019.
Raj almost wasn’t Indian, Tom Cruise was the idea.
The title? Kirron Kher just threw it out there.
Pigeon scene: Totally SRK winging it. Kajol freaked a little.
Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna got added last minute. Can you imagine?
Maratha Mandir. Playing. Every day. Since 1995. Fans love it.
You might think you’ve seen it all in DDLJ. Raj, Simran, the songs, yes, we all know them. But there’s a lot behind the camera that most people have no clue about. Some of it was luck. Some of it Shah Rukh Khan just winging it. And some… well, Aditya Chopra being a little crazy. Here’s the stuff nobody really tells you.
How Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge became a Bollywood legend: 10 untold stories Youtube Screengrab
1. Raj almost had a totally different face
Aditya Chopra literally imagined an American guy and an Indian girl and had Tom Cruise in mind. But then his dad, Yash Chopra, stepped in and said, “Nope, Indian boy.” And then the story completely changed. Suddenly, it wasn’t Hollywood, but NRIs, family, love, and all the cultural stuff that actually hits you in the gut.
2. Kirron Kher named the film
That long, unforgettable title? Shah Rukh Khan thought it was clunky. But the rookie director, Aditya, heard it from Kirron Kher and went with his gut. And yes, she got a credit in the opening titles.
3. Script written in a month
Three years of thinking, then all of a sudden, the final script was done in three or four weeks. Can you imagine? The blueprint for the biggest romantic film of the ’90s, completed in less than a month.
4. Accidental magic
That pigeon-feeding scene with Amrish Puri? Totally improvised by Shah Rukh. Even Kajol’s shocked face in Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane was not planned. Aditya kept it a secret to get a real reaction. And it worked big time. Fans don’t even know half the story behind that moment.
5. Director hiding in a car
During the Zurich car ride, Aditya wasn’t just lurking behind the camera. No. He was lying flat in the back of the red convertible, flat out of frame, watching every move. Can you imagine lying like that for hours? Wild.
6. Raj’s leather jacket wasn’t a costume
Raj’s iconic leather jacket? The one every guy copied? Uday Chopra just bought it from a Harley shop in California and cost 400 bucks. Not a big fancy wardrobe magic, it was just a cool jacket he found.
7. Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhnaalmost didn’t happen
That wedding song everyone hums? Almost didn’t exist. It got added at the very last second, borrowed from another Yash Raj project. Imagine weddings without it!
8. Kajol’s towel moment
Kajol wasn’t a fan of that towel scene. She seriously didn’t want to shoot it, but the director insisted. And that white skirt in the song? The director said it looked frumpy. Manish Malhotra, the designer, had to take scissors and cut it shorter on the spot.
9. Shah Rukh’s prophecy
After reading the script, Shah Rukh told Yash Chopra: “This will define my stardom.” And he nailed it. Spot on.
10. The first “making of” documentary
Before YouTube, before making-of reels, they aired a half-hour documentary on Doordarshan.
Chaudhary Baldev Singh Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Shah Rukh Khan Kajol www.easterneye.biz
24*7- for 365 days
And then there's Maratha Mandir. This old theater in Mumbai. It's still showing the film. Every. Single. Day. For 30 years. Tickets are 50 rupees. Fans go to watch it like a ritual, some book the gallery for birthdays or anniversaries. People even fly in from abroad. Iconic, right?
30 years later, Raj and Simran are on stage in Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical in Manchester. 18 original English songs. Same story. Same magic. New audience. And people are loving it.
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