Ranchi: Amid the hype around monster hit Sanju, another biopic on a real-life hero released on Friday. And its subject watched his life unfold at a Ranchi movie theatre on Saturday.
Shaad Ali's film Soorma on former Indian hockey captain and Arjuna Award winner Sandeep Singh shows his legendary comeback after a freak firing mishap chained him to a wheelchair for a year.
Sandeep, now 32, who watched the noon show of Soorma at PVR Cinemas in Ranchi on Saturday, was riveted to see himself, played by accomplished actor Diljit Dosanjh of Udta Punjab fame.
"Diljit did an excellent job and I don't think anyone else could have done any better," Sandeep told this reporter.
With Sandeep were 125 hockey students of Khunti and Simdega under a programme to revitalise grassroots hockey, Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI), a Tata Trusts affiliate.
One of the best drag-flickers India has produced, Sandeep is associated with the programme as a special coach.
Known for captaining India which clinched the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2009 after 13 years by defeating Malaysia, Sandeep's story is remarkable for another reason. On August 21, 2006, Sandeep was seriously injured by an accidental gunshot in Shatabadi Express while he was on his way to join the national team due to leave for the World Cup in Africa two days later. He motivated himself to get up and running.
So he is satisfied with his biopic?
"No one can perhaps be fully satisfied with his biopic," Sandeep smiled. "A film can't show everything in my 32-year-old life." But, he added important moments of his life were portrayed "convincingly".
The film left Sandeep's students overawed. "I learnt how to face crises," hockey cadet Sunita from Khunti said. "Really inspiring," added Juhi, also from Khunti.
The film, which also stars Taapsee Pannu, Angad Bedi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Vijay Raaz in pivotal roles, is picking up by word-of-mouth. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted: #Soorma brings to screen one of the greatest comeback stories of a sportsman: hockey legend Sandeep Singh... A brave and inspiring story of will, determination, optimism and passion... Well-directed by Shaad Ali."
All India Sikh Students Federation (Bihar-Jharkhand)'s Tajendra Singh said they demanded this film be made tax-free. The outfit also felicitated Sandeep.
