MUMBAI: Actor Abhishek Bachchan is likely to play the role of Rudraksha Jena, the coach of the rugby team of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneshwar, who led an under 14 team to victory at the International School Rugby Tournament in London in 2007.
Mumbai based Shabbir Boxwala Production has picked up the rights to Jena's story, according to a report in the Mumbai Mirror. The film plans to generate interest in the sport by highlighting how young boys from some of the most backward districts of Odisha almost missed the flight to London because they did not have valid birth certificates. It was the timely intervention of the ministry of external affairs that helped them get to London in time for the tournament that they went on to win, the report says.
The film will be directed by Nila Madhab Panda, who has earlier directed the award winning I am Kalam. The film is expected to roll in 2018 and will be shot in India and the UK.
Bachchan has been associated with other sports for a while now. He bought the Pro Kabaddi League franchise team Jaipur Pink Panthers, which won the first ever championship in 2014, and is the co-owner of the Indian Super League football team Chennaiyin FC, which won the ISL 2015.
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