Bollywood has directed several movies based on Indian athletes who have made a mark on the country’s sports history. Movies like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Mary Kom and Chak De! India depict a dramatized version of the struggles that athletes often go through to make it to the Olympics. However, the lockdown left many occupations halted including the shooting and production of these 10 upcoming movies.

83

Starring Ranveer Singh as cricket player Kapil Dev in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, this movie was set to release 10^th April 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. Since then, it has been announced that the movie is releasing for Christmas at the end of the year. However, an early release may be possible with theatres reopening after Unlock 3.

Saina

Saina is a biopic starring Parineeti Chopra who begun training for the role of the badminton star. With Parineeti’s role being confirmed in March 2019, the film was set to release early this year. However, there hasn’t been a concrete release date announced for the movie and it may be delayed due to the pandemic.

Rashmi Rocket

Rashmi Rocket is a story about a Gujarati girl who can run fast and thus receives the nickname rocket. Played by Taapsee Pannu, this movie had halted shootings due to the pandemic but the actress’ Instagram post has revealed that it will again commence on November this year. It is releasing next year and is likely to launch in theatres, when social distancing norms will be slightly relaxed.

Maidaan

Maidaan, a biographical sports stars Ajay Devgn and highlights the golden era of Indian football from 1952-1962. Filming for this movie began in August 2019 and it has been scheduled to release in August 2021. This delay in release may have to do with the pandemic as many movies have delayed shooting and release on OTT (over the top) platforms.

Toofan

Toofan stars Farhan Akhtar as a national level boxer. The sports drama was set to release on 2^nd October 2020. However, the movie has since shifted it’s release date earlier to 13^th September 2020 and will likely release in theatres providing safety and social distancing norms are followed.

Karnam Malleswari biopic

Karnam Malleswari, the Indian weightlifter is getting a biopic. Director Sanjana Reddy is working on the Telugu film which will release all over the country. Though shooting is yet to commence, it is likely to release after lockdown norms have been relaxed all and theatres continue to resume as normal.

Jhulan Goswami biopic

Anushka Sharma is set to work in a biopic based on the life events of all rounder, cricket player Jhulan Goswami.  Produced by Sony, it has not been titled yet and the release date has not been announced. It will feature the actress’ appearance on screen since Zero (2018).

Shabaash Mithu

Set to release in 2021, Shabaash Mithu is a biopic on Indian cricketer Mithali Raj played by Taapsee Pannu. Mithali Raj is the only female cricketer to push past 6,000 runs in WODIs. Though initially announced that the movie would release in 2020, it has been updated that the movie will release on February 2021.

Good Luck Sakhi

Good luck Sakhi is an upcoming Telugu sports movie. The romantic comedy directed by Nagesh Khukunoor and starring Keerthy Suresh was announced April 2019. Playing a role of a markswoman, the movie is set to release soon, though a proper release date has not been issued yet.

Golondaaj

Golondaaj is an upcoming Indian Bengali-language sports drama film directed by Dhrubo Banerjee. It is the story of the pioneer in Indian football, named Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikary.The first base of playing football in India was built in the playground adjoining the Hare School. Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari is the name of the man who was behind him, the field is named after him. Although the name of the father of Indian football has been forgotten, the self-styled Bengali. The film Golindas directed by Dhrubo Banerjee is based on the biography of Nagendra Prasad. ^{The shooting for the film began in Kolkata from 5 February 2020. Due to Covid-19 Pandemic they had to discontinue the shooting.}