Rajkummar Rao's Sourav Ganguly biopic to kick off in March; Lord's and Eden Gardens set as key locations

Rajkummar Rao stars in the Sourav Ganguly biopic, filming March 2026 at Lord’s and Eden Gardens. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, it tracks "Dada’s" rise and 2000s captaincy.

Rajkummar Rao/Instagram

Production has finally begun on the much-anticipated biopic of one of India's most legendary cricket captains. The Sourav Ganguly biopic will be ready to go on floors in March, by Vikramaditya Motwane and Luv Ranjan, along with Ankur Garg. Rajkummar Rao plays the lead part in the project, which has booked two of the world's most famous cricket grounds—Lord's Cricket Ground in London and Eden Gardens in Kolkata—for its main schedule.

Why are Lord’s and Eden Gardens chosen as primary locations for Sourav Ganguly biopic?

Pinkvilla reports that the production's commitment to historical accuracy revolves around the choice to film at these exact locations. Lord's is inseparable from Ganguly's famous shirt-waving celebration after the 2002 NatWest Series triumph and his Test debut century in 1996. Eden Gardens, Ganguly's home stadium, played host to both the historic 2001 Test victory over Australia and his formative years.

According to reports, the makers are aiming to faithfully recreate pivotal moments in Ganguly's cricket career at Lord's and Eden Gardens. They have chosen to film at the real locations because of the historical significance of Lord's, sometimes called the Mecca of Cricket, in Ganguly's journey.

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How is the crew preparing for the shoot in Kolkata and Mumbai?

The entertainment portal reported that Motwane, renowned for his painstaking attention to detail, has just finished a comprehensive recce in Kolkata. The crew got a chance to see the "Prince of Calcutta's" childhood home in Behala and the Dukhi Ram Memorial Cricket Academy while they were in town. According to reports, the production will head to Kolkata and London for the exterior and stadium scenes, but to film the interior scenes of Ganguly's famous Behala home in a controlled environment, a huge set will be constructed in a Mumbai studio.

"Motwane and Luv Films are keen on mounting the biopic on a grand scale. Shooting at the real locations was always part of the vision. Permissions are being worked out, and the team plans to begin filming in March at various locations like Kolkata, Mumbai and London," shared the source.

How is Rajkummar Rao preparing to embody "Dada"?

When asked about the casting of Rao, the cricketing icon gave his enthusiastic approval. The actor is apparently in a "transition phase" to lose weight and get Ganguly's athletic late-90s body, as he gained 10 kg while filming another biopic titled Nikam. Rao is not only changing his appearance, but he is also practicing hard to become a left-handed batsman in cricket. The actor, who is right-handed by nature, has dedicated months of effort to imitate Ganguly's distinctive "God of the Off-Side" approach.

Beyond merely documenting his career statistics, the film seeks to highlight the formative years of the early 2000s, when he heroically led a struggling team and introduced a new aggressive style of play to Indian cricket. The project looks like it will be one of the most ambitious sports dramas in recent Indian movie history, with a supporting cast that supposedly includes Kumud Mishra in a vital role.

When can fans expect the biopic to hit theatres?

With a potential release date set for the year's end, production is anticipated to go until the summer of 2026. It is still one of the most anticipated events in this year's cinema calendar for fans of "Dada" to witness his journey from the balconies of Lord's to the hallowed turf of Eden Gardens on the big screen.

Sourav Ganguly biopic FAQs

Q: Who is playing Sourav Ganguly in his biopic?

A: Rajkummar Rao is officially playing the role of Sourav Ganguly. The actor, known for his physical transformations, has already begun intensive preparation, including learning to bat left-handed and undergoing a weight loss program to match the cricketing legend’s athletic physique from the late 90s.

Q: When is the Sourav Ganguly biopic releasing?

A: Sourav Ganguly biopic is tentatively scheduled for a December 2026 release. Production is set to begin in March 2026, with filming expected to continue through the summer across locations in India and the UK.

Q: Who is the director of the Sourav Ganguly biopic?

A: Sourav Ganguly biopic is directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, celebrated for his work on Udaan, Lootera, and Jubilee. The project is being produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg under the Luv Films banner.

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