There are some moments in life that put a stamp on our hearts forever. In India's sporting history, it was in the year 1983. The moment when India's legendary captain, Kapil Dev lifted the world cup trophy in the Lord's Stadium Balcony in London. What glory!
The miracle that happened at Lord's was a nail-biting experience for the spectators and a moment that stamped our hearts forever. It is a tale of triumph, a tale of underdogs becoming the world champions. It is the tale of the Indian Nation Cricket Team of 1983 totally nailing it at Lord's London.
The 1983 World Cup Tour of India was an epic moment for all Indians. 25th June 1983, the day when the Finals of the World Cup were played, was the day when cricket made its way to become a religion in India. Based on this historic event, Bollywood director Kabir Khan is bringing a movie titled ‘83.
‘83 (film) has been conceptualized, written and enacted based upon the anecdotes from the players of the 1983 Indian National Cricket Team who played the World Cup and others associated with it. It is surely going to take us back into the era of Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar, showing us the journey of cricket from a sport to a religion.
Here are some interesting questions about ‘83 (movie), which we have compiled for our readers.
1. What was Kapil Dev’s reaction when he was approached by Kabir Khan to make a film on the 1983 World Cup tour of India?
At first, the legendary Indian skipper, Kapil Dev (captain of the 1983 Indian Cricket Team) thought of saying a 'no' to the idea of making a film on them. He thought that this event is just a few decades old and making a film would not be a nice idea.
A film based on a real-life incident should be talking about something that happened at least 50 years back or 100 years back. He believed that the team that won the 1983 World Cup for India is still young and a film would make them feel old.
However, like Kapil Dev, the other legendary players were also approached. All others were convinced and said yes to the film, which convinced Kapil Dev too.
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2. Why is '83 (film) so important to be made and to be seen by every Indian?
The 1983 world cup was the 3rd international cricket world cup tournament and West Indies was the champion of the previous 2 world cups. Players of the Indian cricket team were considered underdogs and some British newspapers even wrote that there was no need to invite India for this tournament.
When India won the semi-final against Zimbabwe, with Kapil Dev entering at 17-5 and presenting a 175 (not out) knock, the British newspapers wrote that it's a free pass to the finals for India.
In the finals, when India played against the defending champions, West Indies, and defeated them, the local people and newspapers were in awe. It was the first time that West Indies lost the World Cup and India won the World Cup.
Not only this, but it was also the first international achievement of India after gaining freedom from the British that too on British grounds. This uplifted the nation's underdog image in the international sphere at once and we could walk proudly in the streets of England.
This placed us on the world map and the independent country India received great recognition post this victory. The way the entire trajectory of India changes was even more historic. There was an air of self-belief and self-confidence flowing in the nation, which this film will reinstill in us.
3. What efforts and sweat have been put in making '83 (film) by the cast and crew?
The film '83 has a huge cast that includes energetic Ranveer Singh essaying the role of legendary Kapil Dev, Saqib Saleem playing Mohinder Amarnath, Tahir Raj Bhasin playing Sunil Gavaskar, and Tamil actor Jiva playing Kris Srikanth.
The actors have really undergone great training and research of the players whose role they are essaying. They've spent time with the real-life legends to understand their body language and thought process.
Balwinder Singh Sandu has coached the ‘reel team’ to bring more life to the characters. More than this, the cast and crew have invested a lot of time to recreate the 1983 atmosphere and depict what the cricket team went through behind the scenes.
Director Kabir khan also dedicated a few months in London researching the event from the associated people and newspapers there.
Other actors are Ammy Virk playing Balwinder Sandu, Hardy Sandhu playing Madan Lal, Sahil Khattar playing Syed Kirmani, Nishant Dahiya playing Roger Binny, Chirag Patil as Sandeep Patil, Jatin Sarna as Yashpal Sharma, Dinker Sharma as Kirti Azad, Pankaj Tripathi playing Man Singh (manager of 1983 world cup team), Dhairya Karwa playing Ravi Shastri, and Boman Irani playing Farukh Engineer.
4. What changes did the 1983 World Cup bring in for cricket in India?
It was after India's historic win at Lord's in 1983 that the sport of cricket got a fillip in the nation. The sport now became a religion and every child in the Indian streets now wanted to become a cricketer.
Not only this, but a lot more efforts were also put in training the team and players. A lot more facilities and amenities were provided to them so that many more world cups belong to India.
5. Why has the released date of 83 (movie) put on hold? Is the release date of (movie) postponed?
Due to the risks posed by the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and growing health concerns across the globe, the cinema halls in India have been shut down. Until the movie theaters are open for the public, no upcoming movies will be released.
This is the reason why the release of ‘83 (film) has been put on hold until further information. The makers announced the postponing of the film’s release with the message- ‘83 is a film about fighting the odds and we hope we all will bounce back from this soon.
Directed by Kabir Khan, the film was dated to release on April 10 but due to Coronavirus Pandemic, it’s almost certain that the film will shift to a new release date. The movie will be released in three languages - Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
6. Why are the makers confused about the length of ‘83 (movie)?
Films based on true incidents have always been a lengthy affair for the makers. The film, ‘83 is no different. The makers think that the length should be shorter than it has actually turned out.
83 (movie) focusses on the entire year of 83 for Indian Cricket rather than just the world cup. It shows how the team went on playing the world cup right from the first match and what was going on in their minds during the entire world cup.
The essence of 83 (film) lies in the sportsman spirit and historic victory. Including too many scenes that increase the length might make it disinteresting for the viewers.
Also, shorter length means more shows can be played on the multiplexes and more people can watch it. This is why the makers of ‘83 are working on reducing the length of the movie without making it lose its purpose and essence.
7. What are the highlight moments recreated in the film 83?
While the entire film is going to be magical, there are certain highlight moments, which will make a great contribution to the storytelling.
One such moment, which is recreated for the movie screen, is Kapil Dev lifting the 1983 World Cup trophy in the balcony of Lords Stadium. When you see pictures of the scene, it is really hard to distinguish and imparts pride.
Another moment is the famous ‘Natraj Shot’ of Haryana Hurricane, Kapil Dev. Ranveer Singh has left no stone unturned to copy that and make it feel surreal. You will also be able to witness Yashpal Sharma’s ‘Badam Shot’ that went popular then.
Kapil Dev’s famous knock of 175 not out, which was not recorded by BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) due to strike, is also recreated in the movie. Also, the team pic that was clicked in the morning just after the team returned to India with the World Cup is also reproduced for the film.
The list of moments doesn’t end here. Jumped bowling, team meetings, and so much more is still left unsaid. You will have to watch 83 (film) yourself to find them out.
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8. Where was the poster of 83 (movie) launched and why?
The poster or first look of 83 (movie) was launched in cricketers’ much loved Chepauk Stadium, which is officially known is M A Chidambaram Stadium. It is the 2nd oldest stadium in India and was built in 1916.
It was the same stadium where many players had played some of the very memorable matches of their life. Kapil Dev had given his best performances as an all-rounder in Cheapuk and won.
Players of the Indian national cricket team who played the 1983 world cup were here to grace the occasion with their presence. They wished the team of 83 (film) best of luck and expressed their gratitude for making this film.
Ironically, the entire team was visiting this stadium after more than 20 years. All their memories came alive as they enjoyed their reunion.
9. What is unique about the background score of 83 (film)?
Pritam, the legendary music director, has been given the task to design the background score for 83 (film). Since the film is based on a real-life incident, the background score will be motivational. A special anthem is being designed for the film.
To keep it realistic, no dance numbers or lipsync will be there in the film. The songs will play in the background while the scenes are running on the screen. Somewhat like how it was in the Shreyas Talpade film Iqbal.
10. What is 83 (film) actually all about? What is it going to show?
The film, 83, is going to narrate the story of a bunch of boys, who were fun-loving and passionate about cricket. It will show their journey as a team that wins the Cricket World Cup of 1983 and bring glory to their motherland.
Many onscreen magical moments from 1983 World Cup tour of India, especially that happened in the final and semi-final match are remembered by us, but more than what we remember went unnoticed. This film is all about those missed moments.
83 is an unbelievable story of human triumph. It narrates what was happening with this bunch of boys off the pitch, how they won the world cup when nobody believed in them, how they nursed each other at the time of injuries and what was driving them mad when they played the final match. The film, 83, will show all the challenges faced by the cricket players then.
Also, 83 (film) is not just about Kapil Dev or his journey. The players didn’t believe in themselves that they could do anything like winning a world cup. It is about all players who chipped in their roles and somewhere in the middle of the tournament released that power of their team.
83 (movie) is a team story, narrated with delight by the players themselves and filmed by Kabir Khan with greater delight. The film will show how everybody leaned on to each other and lifted each other up to finally achieve what they did.
11. What was it like playing cricket in the year 1983?
If you were to play cricket in the year 1983, you had to embrace complete absence of any support. Be it doctors for treatment, physiotherapists, financial backup, trainers or coaches, or hospitality, nothing existed for the cricket players in 1983.
At that time, ODI matches were of 60 overs and the World Cup was the last tournament in this format. Players played on the field without helmets and no innings were played after sunset. The color of the ball was red.
Both teams had a white jersey with their country’s logo on it. It was a totally different era, a totally different ethos. Conducting yourself on the cricket pitch in 1983 was way tougher than it is today.
There was no money involved, no commercialization. The players played because they loved their nation and enjoyed playing their sport.
12. How has Ranveer Singh mastered the look and body language of Kapil Dev?
While ex-Indian cricketer Balvinder Singh Sandhu was assigned to train all the actors and help them master their roles. Other members of the winning squad of 1983, such as Madal Lal and Kapil Dev himself also overlooked the training sessions.
Since Kapil Dev’s role is a pretty important one, Ranveer Singh has spent a good time with the cricket stalwart to understand his body language. He went 6 months of rigorous cricket training to master his role.
A lot of time went into recreating the Natraj Shot. But we must say that all hard work, all the efforts, and all the sweat paid off. The look and body language of on-screen Kapil Dev is hard to distinguish. Ranveer Singh is truly a master of his craft!
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