Do you keep in mind the incredible sports activities visuals of 83? Meet the person behind the magic, Dhruv Panjuani – India’s first sports activities director and the sports activities choreographer and a part of the path group of the Ranveer Singh-starrer. He is the sports activities director for Abhishek Bachchan, Saiyami Kher’s Ghoomer and Dulquer Salmaan’s King of Kotha. The Free Press Journal caught up with Dhruv for an unique chat.

Opening up about how his journey started, Dhruv shares, “I have been playing both football and hockey since a very long time and have been fascinated with the sports. I wanted to get a proper education since I also aspired to be a filmmaker so I went to LA and there I worked in a talent management company. Later, I started working in ads. Once I worked on a football commercial and the director saw my passion. There has been no looking back for me since then.”

He provides, “In 2016-17, I had a handful of commercials and features but the game changer for me was the football one campaign that I did with real players. It involved an extensive amount of work from my end like interacting with the players, in sync with the DOP, editor, VFX team and so on.”

Since Dhruv comes from a filmmaking background, his profile on the units is totally completely different to what a coach has. He explains, “The coach would help in getting the technique right, but my job is more about conceptualising things. It’s not about playing a sport, it’s about how you play on the camera.” Dhruv’s newest mission is Ghoomer that’s helmed by R Balki, is ready towards the backdrop of cricket. “Balki sir is crazy about cricket. Saiyami is a hard working artiste. She was excellent and involved in the whole process. The cricket is shot too well hence it makes Ghoomer a perfect theatrical experience,” he gushes.

Dhruv then spoke about Kabir Khan’s 83. “In 83, I was a part of the direction team with Kabir sir. It was a grand project. We had real cricketers guiding us all through the shoot. The way Ranveer channelled his energies on the sets was just incredible,” he said.

Dhruv’s upcoming tasks embody 800 (the Muttiah Muralitharan biopic), the place he has labored as a sports activities choreographer, Test as a sports activities director and Blue Star as a sports activities motion director.

Published on: Friday, August 25, 2023, 07:28 AM IST