Deepika, Ranveer bowl Dubai fans over with their charisma

Raghib Hassan, Staff Reporter

Bollywood acclaimed filmmaker Kabir Khan is all set to take his fans on a nostalgic trip, which had transformed Indian cricket forever on June 25, 1983.

The much-awaited film of the year “83” is set to be released on Dec.23. It is a biographical sports film featuring Ranveer Singh as iconic cricketer Kapil Dev along with Deepika Padukone, Pankaj Tripathi, Saqib Saleem and Tahir Raj Bhasin.

To talk about their film actor Ranveer and his actress wife Deepika Padukone with Kabir came to Dubai. They interacted with the local media on Thursday evening at Reel Cinemas, The Dubai Mall.

The actor looked extremely contented with his hard work he has put in the film. Talking about the movie, he said, “We watched the film yesterday night and we all are extremely excited to show this to the world as well.

We loved it and hope you would also love it. What this movie turned out is beyond our imagination.” When asked what was the most challenging part of being Kapil Dev in the film, he said, “I think by far the bowling action.”

He further elaborated, “I kept on bowling for four hours a day for four months under the watchful eye of former Indian cricketer and member of winning team Balwinder Singh Sandhu.

I am grateful to him for guiding me throughout the whole process. I am sure cricket lovers will definitely like the film as well.” Praising his director he said, “I am proud of my director. He has an eye for detail and you will notice this in the film. Very rarely I have seen such kind of work in the cinema. This is the movie I will be proud of my whole life,” said the actor.

Deepika, who is playing the character of Kapil’s wife in the film, said, “Sport has always been an integral part of my life, but it is the story which is very close to my heart. I can relate to it. My father, who was a badminton player, too had my mother’s unconditional support throughout the journey.

“This film beautifully depicts how a family also plays a very important role in achieving your dream, which generally goes unnoticed.” Therefore, I feel the film is a tribute to all women who support their husband, said the actress.

The film “83” becomes all the more important for Indians because there is not much footage available of this historic match and not many people could witness the magical moment then also and that’s the biggest regret for many Indian cricket fans.

Talking about his work, Kabir said, “It is a film for everyone. The Indian team was the underdog in the tournament and nobody believed that India was going to lift the trophy, but they lifted it and made history.

That’s why I feel the film is all about the spirit. If you can believe it then you can achieve it.” Praising his team captain Ranveer said, “All the boys worked very hard for the film. We all had done lots of rehearsal before the shoot.

“The cup I have lifted in the film is the original one, disclosed the star. Recalling his fan moment, he said, “It was so good to see Clive Lloyd, Gordon Greenidge, Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev watching us batting during the shoot.”

When Deepika was asked to share her responsibility as a producer of the film, she replied in a lighter tone, “I was more involved with the food department. I am technically getting the food credit in the film.” India had defeated the mighty West Indies at Lord’s to lift the trophy.

Therefore, to recreate the 1983 West Indies team Kabir has roped in sons of Lloyd, Greenidge, and Malcolm Marshall. He also included Sandeep Patil’s son and daughter of Kapil Dev in the film. “It is a big basket of nepotism,” said the director in a lighter vein.

The victory of India in 1983 had managed to inspire many South Asians then, hence the film is going to appeal to everyone, feels the director. Kabir is widely respected for his craft and is an excellent storyteller. Story is what drives him more rather than box-office collection. He has given memorable films, like “New York,” “Ek Tha Tiger,” “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” “Phantom” and “Tubelight.”