MUMBAI: On the release day Friday of ‘Soorma’, a biopic on India’s ace hockey player Sandeep Singh, Zee Studios officially announced its second biopic after wrestling blockbuster Dangal – a film on the life of legendary football coach Syed Abdul Rahim, which will be helmed by ad film director Amit Sharma.
Hindi film A lister Ajay Devgn plays the role of Rahim.
Making the official announcement about the yet untitled-movie, Zee Studios posted on its official Twitter handle: “Elated and proud to announce a story never told as @ZeeStudios_ #BoneyKapoor & @freshlimefilms come together for a biopic on India’s legendary #Football coach, Syed Abdul Rahim, starring @ajaydevgn, directed by @CinemaPuraDesi, screenplay by @SaiwynQ, and dialogues by @writish.”
Rahim served the Indian football team as its coach and manager from 1950-1963. It was under his guidance that the Indian team won Gold at the 1962 Asian Games and also reached the semi-finals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, coming fourth. He died of cancer at a relatively young age of 54.
Talking about Devgn playing the lead role in the sports biopic, co-producer Boney Kapoor told Indian Express, “An actor like Ajay is most apt for essaying this character. We hope that the film inspires millions of youngsters and soon India plays in the World Cup and becomes a potent force in World Football.”
Adding more about the film, Kapoor continued, “It’s amazing to see football, world’s biggest game, having such a fever in India, and yet our team is not being sent to important tournaments. When my partners Akash Chawla and Joy Sengupta brought me the true story of Syed Abdul Rahim, I was amazed that not many are even aware of this unsung hero and the achievements of that great team which had heroes like Chunni Goswami, PK Banerjee, Balaram, Franco, Arun Ghosh among others. With the momentum of Khelo India getting pace, it’s time to push India.”
