Everything about Ajay-Tigmanshu's film on India's first Dalit cricketer
Ajay Devgn, who recently starred in the biographical sports drama Maidaan, is reportedly involved in another sports-based project. The upcoming movie will be based on the life of Palwankar Baloo, India's first Dalit cricketer. Film producer Priti Sinha announced this news on social media, adding that director-actor Tigmanshu Dhulia and Devgn will produce it. Official confirmation from both Devgn and Dhulia is yet to come.
Film to be based on Ramchandra Guha's cricket chronicle
The film will be adapted from Ramchandra Guha's book A Corner of a Foreign Field. This historical account of cricket in the Indian subcontinent not only chronicles the game but also features cricket legends like CK Nayudu and Sachin Tendulkar. The book delves into unexpected roles played by figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah in cricket history while highlighting the British Empire's operations through English cricketers' careers.
Goodreads describes the book as 'important and pioneering'
Goodreads says about the book, "[In this book], the extraordinary life of India's first great slow bowler, Palwankar Baloo, introduces the still-unfinished struggle against caste discrimination. Later chapters explore the competition between Hindu and Muslim cricketers in colonial India and the extraordinary passions now provoked when India plays Pakistan." "An important, pioneering work, this is also a beautifully-written meditation on the ramifications of sport in society at large, and on how sport can influence both social and political history."
Baloo's inspiring journey and place in Indian history
Baloo, the focus of the upcoming film, was a legendary sportsman from the Dalit community. His career reportedly began as a groundsman at a Pune cricket club. In 1896, he was selected to play for the Hindu Gymkhana, marking an inspiring journey. Guha's book introduces readers to Baloo as India's first great slow bowler and his life story reflects the ongoing struggle against caste discrimination. Know more about him through this thread on X.
Devgn's previous and upcoming works in 2024
Devgn's last release, Maidaan, was based on footballer-turned-coach Syed Abdul Rahim. Earlier this year, he also appeared in Vikas Bahl's horror thriller Shaitaan alongside Jyotika, R Madhavan, and Janki Bodiwala. His next tentative release is Rohit Shetty's Singham Again, which is slated for August 15, 2024, but is likely to get postponed. He also has Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha and Raid 2 slated for 2024.
