Diljit Dosanjh and Taapsee Pannu's upcoming movie 'Soorma' captures the reel story of real 'Soorma', Indian Hockey Player Sandeep Singh. Here is an exclusive with Sandeep Singh who talks about his emotional hockey journey and more
With the emergence of a more content driven audience, Bollywood has moved on from selling unrealistic romances onscreen to making movies which celebrate the grit of unsung heroes. India has been a nation where cricket is religion and cricketing greats are Gods walking amongst the people and it is obvious that this frenzied hero worship has overshadowed other sports for a long time. However, in recent times there has been a celebration of other sports and an overdue spotlight has finally been directed towards other sportsmen and their stories. To join movies like Pan Singh Tomar, Mary Kom and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, we have a July 2018 release, Soorma, which is based on the story of Sandeep Singh and his exceptional journey.
Played by Diljit Dosanjh who earned critical acclaim after his role in Udta Punjab, Sandeep Singh’s story is one of the indomitable spirit that is human will. The movie revolves around the story of Sandeep Singh who was paralysed after an accidental gunshot injured him in 2006 and returned to International hockey in 2008 fighting all odds. India won the 2009 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup under his captaincy and went on to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
For celebrating the spirit enclosed in the movie, My Nation got in touch with Sandeep Singh to know what drove him and his will which remained undefeated even in the face of unmeasurable tragedy that befell him.
Singh maintained that while the movie does have songs to make it appear more suited to the celluloid, it is a rendition of his story and Dosanjh, in his eyes, has done justice to the role even when it is difficult to enact a real person on a larger than life medium.
On asked how he coped with the most difficult time of his life, Singh pensively responds that it was during his accident and resultant paralysis of 2 years that he understood the hills and troughs that made up life and he realised what his family and well-wishers had to go through and yet in-spite of it all how they stood like a rock beside him and he adds with a wistful smile that he can never be enough grateful to all the people who supported him. The only thought that remained in his conscience when he came back, as he told our correspondent, was that, “I just made sure that I had proper training prior to my comeback so that no one can point finger at me and say, “Oh! Sandeep Singh is unfit or Sandeep Singh is weak.” To avoid such negativities, I trained more than what I used to do and then only re-joined the team.”
While the movie revolves around Singh’s recovery and his spirit, it still boils down to India-Pakistan rivalry. When asked about the same, Singh cheekily responds with a grin that his highest score was against Pakistan. He also shared an anecdote which was his Coach Harinder Singh’s motto, ‘whenever you play a match, it should not be India vs Pakistan; but be Sandeep vs Pakistan’.
Singh believes firmly that movies on sports other than cricket will ensure that the young generation develop an interest in sports other than cricket and the youth investing in hockey will take pride in knowing its legacy. Singh was quoted as saying, “Following the movie, the worth of hockey will reach new heights as it will be released internationally. We are also requesting the federation to make sure that movie reaches every child in every village.” Singh maintained that the movie should be made tax free so that every person who wishes to be a part of it can be so without worrying about its affordability. He also said that he would actively take up the cause with Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar and Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh. He insisted that since North India also has a sports culture, it should consider and on a national level the PM Shri Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore should support it.
Sandeep Singh signed off by saying that this movie was not about competing with the Shahrukh Khan starrer Chak De! or set new Box Office records. Rather, it was about spreading awareness about the lives of sportsmen, the dedication that is required and the trials that their families undergo along with them for the Nation and the Game!
Catch this inspiring tale at your nearest theatre on July 13th.
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