Pullela Gopichand biopic on the cards

Hyderabad: After Mohammad Azharuddin, it is now the turn of badminton star Pullela Gopichand to be the subject of a biopic. Former badminton player Shachi Sharma, who in 2011 had co-authored Gopi’s biography, The World Beneath His Feat, along with her father Sanjay Sharma, also an ex-player, speaks about her plans to put the much-awarded shuttler on silver screen.

“His story is very, very interesting,” Shachi says. “The way he has risen from injury is the biggest achievement. The struggle that these athletes undergo to become players needs to be encapsulated, and we have a hero in front of us. His family has struggled a lot to make him the big player that he went on to become. The internal struggles he has had to overcome to win the prestigious All-England Championship (in 2001) make quite a story,” she explains.

Does Gopi get to play a role in this one? “I haven’t thought about it so far… probably will give it some thought now,” Shachi laughs, adding, “Hopefully the film will be complete next year.”

When contacted, Gopichand said, “I haven’t read the script but I am aware that it will be based on my biography and I will be involved with the movie. I was supposed to meet the filmmakers, but I will be busy this week, so I will meet them after returning from the All England Championships that run from March 3 to 8.”

Rikhil Bhadhur is tipped to be the director of the movie. “It is like a walking dream for me to be able to direct this biopic of such a humble sportsman,” says Rikhil, who is yet to meet the badminton legend.

— With inputs from LV