Amir Jadidi cast as tennis legend Mansour Bahrami in biopic
Amir Jadidi, acclaimed for his performance in the Oscar-nominated drama A Hero, has been cast to portray tennis legend Mansour Bahrami in the upcoming biopic Mansour. The film, directed by Romuald Boulanger, will explore Bahrami's journey from post-Revolutionary Iran to his struggles with exile and poverty in France, and ultimately, his rise to international tennis stardom, per Deadline. France TV distribution has secured global sales rights for this highly anticipated project.
Bahrami's inspiring journey to stardom
Born in the 1950s in Iran, Bahrami honed his self-taught tennis skills using unconventional means, such as a frying pan for a racket and an empty swimming pool for a court, reportedly. After fleeing Iran after the 1979 revolution, he found himself penniless and homeless in France. Despite these hardships, Bahrami never lost sight of his dream to play at Roland Garros, which he eventually achieved.
Production details of Bahrami's biopic revealed
The production of Mansour is a collaborative effort between Boulanger's R-Lines Productions, based in Paris and LA, and UK's Unconditional Pictures. The screenplay has been penned by Dawn McDaniel, co-founder and co-head of Unconditional Pictures, along with Philippe de Lyon. This biopic promises to offer an in-depth look into Bahrami's inspiring life story, resilience, and resourcefulness as he navigated the challenges of life as an undocumented immigrant.
Bahrami and Boulanger expressed excitement for the biopic
Bahrami expressed humility and excitement about the forthcoming film, stating, "Many people have told me over the years that my story is made for the screen but in fact it's very humbling to think there will be a feature film of my life." He also expressed confidence in the team assembled for the project. Echoing Bahrami's sentiments, Boulanger described him as a "true hero."
Meanwhile, a look at Bahrami's tennis career
Despite joining the Davis Cup team at 16, his potential in singles remained largely untapped due to the Islamic revolution descriptions. However, he found success in doubles, clinching two titles and reaching the 1989 French Open doubles final. Renowned for his entertaining style and trick shots, Bahrami has become a fixture on the seniors invitational circuit for over 25 years. His flair for showmanship—characterized by playful antics—has earned him a nickname "The Court Jester," as depicted in his 2009 autobiography.
