Biographical films seem to the most popular film genre now. A slew of biopics based on renowned sports personalities — Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, P.V. Sindhu and P. Gopichand — have been announced. While there has been a lot of talk about filmmakers bringing their stories alive on the silver screen, barring Saina Nehwal’s (to be played by Shraddha Kapoor), none of them have gone on floors yet, making one wonder whether they have been put on hold for the moment.

When questioned, filmmakers, interestingly, neither denied their films being shelved nor revea-led the launch details; all they said was work on the script was ‘on’.

Gopichand is designing and choreographing the moves in the games to be shown in the film, informs the director.

Gopichand biopic
Even though news of actor Sudheer Babu doing a biopic on badminton coach Pullela Gopichand made headlines, not much has materialised since. Ask producer-director Praveen Sattaru if the film is still on, and he replies, “Absolutely! While both of us are working on our respective projects, work related to the film is progressing. But making a biopic is a huge task as we need to gather a lot of information and get facts right about the player.”

The National Award-winning director further revealed that the NOC as well as the other formalities were taken care of long ago. Offering the latest update, Praveen also said that Bollywood producer Vikram Malhotra (who backed films like Kahaani, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Queen, etc.) wants to make the film on a larger scale.

“Since it is a biopic on Gopichand, the focus will be completely on him — what his thinking was like, strategies he applied to defeat his opponents; and his struggles, achievements, victories, failures, learning curve, etc. Gopi is also designing and choreographing the moves in the games to be shown in the film because they play a vital role in the screenplay,” he mentions.

Film on Sania Mirza
Sometimes, even the inception of a film creates an out-of-hand hype around it. Take for example, the news surrounding a biopic on Sania Mirza that took the media, cinema lovers as well as the tennis champ’s fans by storm. Sania, too, admitted that she was still in talks with the filmmakers (without revealing their names), but just when it looked like things were looking up, the project reportedly fizzled out. The only truth so far is, when Sania was asked who she would like to play her, if her biopic was made, she said Parineeti Chopra!

However, talking about it, Sania’s mom Nasima says, “It is true that filmmakers had approached Sania for her biopic, and she, too, expressed her interest to see Parineeti reprise her role, but nothing has materialised yet.”  

Moreover, Sania got busy with her tennis commitments. Let’s hope something materialises soon. Perhaps, Sania might make a statement on it soon, who knows?”

P.V. Sindhu
At a time when the industry seems to be falling in love with the biopic culture, actor and producer Sonu Sood also caught hold of the trend. The actor’s announcement of a biopic on P.V. Sindhu (after the badminton player won a silver at the 2016 Olympics) got everyone charged up for updates but, surprisingly, the film is still in the scripting stage!

Explains Sonu, “When you are a producer, the onus to present a strong script in front of actors is huge. Moreover, making a biopic is challenging because we need to look into the minute details of the personality. The first draft was completed and hopefully, we’ll lock the script soon.”

Nasima Mirza, talking about the biopic of her daughter Sania Mirza
It is true that filmmakers had approached Sania for her biopic, and she, too, expressed her interest to see Parineeti reprise her role, but nothing has materialised yet.

Sonu Sood, talking about P.V.Sindhu’s biopic
When you are a producer, the onus to present a strong script in front of actors is huge. Moreover, making a biopic is challenging because we need to look into the minute details of the personality. The first draft was completed and hopefully, we'll lock the script soon.