Actor pays tribute to 1983 team

IT IS SAID that cricket is a national religion, and having Bollywood make a film on an iconic moment from India’s history of the sport is like the proverbial cherry on the icing.

83, the new multilingual film by Kabir Khan of Ek Tha Tiger, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Tubelight fame, which revolves around India’s historic win at 1983 ICC World Cup, is a homage to a cricket-obsessed nation.

The film narrates the story of how the team, under the leadership of Kapil Dev, brought home the World Cup after an intense match against the West Indies.

Dev is played by actor Ranveer Singh, who is said to have worked intensely on his style and looks for the film, training under the “Haryana Hurricane” to get his bowling action and famous “Natraj” hook shot right.

Singh’s wife and 83 co-star, Deepika Padukone, is one of the film’s co-producers.

In a note posted on social media, Singh said: “Thank you to movie fans all over the country and beyond, our film fraternity, the press … people from all walks of life and generations have appreciated the movie’s trailer, and we are filled with gratitude and gladness. This is not just a movie – it’s a glorious tribute to that moment in Indian history that changed it all.

“It’s about the great achievement of the Indian cricket team of 1983 – ‘Kapil’s Devils’. These men are legends, and it’s an honour to be a part of the cinematic telling of their iconic story on the big screen.”

The film is set to release on December 24. |