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Cricket fever has now gripped India. This year the World Cup 2023 is taking place in the subcontinent and the matches have already started.
In between the matches as the fans wait for India to continue its fight for the World Cup, here are a few cricket-based movies from Bollywood that will keep you in high spirits throughout the tournament.
We are essentially skipping mention of big hits like Lagaan and MS Dhoni: The Untold Story because they already have a huge following. Ghoomer starring Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher was also based on cricket and is one of the most recent movies available on digital platforms.
Here we are giving you a list of movies that have not been explored much from a cricketing point of view recently and can be good entertainment for a change:
Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii
Released in 2007, the movie is about a 13-year-old boy Karan living in an orphanage run by a stern warden. Karan has two dreams- to have parents and become a big cricketer.
His life changes when suddenly he finds a cricket bat with which Kapil Dev played 1983 World Cup. It is an interesting story full of struggle and comedy with a cameo by Kapil Dev.
Patiala House
It has a stellar star cast led by Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, and Dimple Kapadia. Patiala House was released in 2011 and its story revolves around Gattu aka Kaali (Akshay) who lives life the way his father Gurtej Singh (Rishi Kapoor) wants.
He has been very good at cricket and wanted to play for England however his father did not allow him to be a part of the England team. Gurtej even threatens him with suicide, so Gattu cannot follow his dreams. His life changes when Zeeshan and Simran (Anushka) come into his life.
Battalion 609
It is a 2019 Indian movie revolving around a friendly cricket match between Pakistan and the Indian Army that goes wrong with the soldiers of Battalion 609 fighting with the Taliban. A match gets cancelled after the Indian Army is attacked near LOC.
This enrages Anwar Hussein, who is a Pakistani soldier and was looking forward to this match. In a rage, he throws a cricket bat on the Indian side of LOC calling Indians cowards. In reply, the Indian Army throws a cricket ball and after a verbal fight, the Army from both sides decide to play a match.
Awwal Number
Directed by legendary Dev Anand, it stars Aamir Khan and Ekta in the lead apart from Dev Saab who plays the character of a DIG. It is the story of a young boy from a middle-class family who aims to be a big cricketer and has to fight inner politics from an established cricketer played by Aditya Pancholi.
Say Salaam India
Released in 2007 this sports drama features Sanjay Dutt, Milind Soman, and Sandhya Mridul. The story is about four young boys Viru, Shakeel, Mahi, and Guri, and revolves around their fight to play cricket under trying circumstances and with limited availability of resources.
Iqbal
Shreyas Talpade has given a lifetime performance in Iqbal which also featured Naseeruddin Shah in a very important role. Released in 2006 and produced by Subhash Ghai, this Nagesh Kukunoor sports drama is about a cricket-obsessed deaf and mute boy Iqbal who belongs to a remote village.
Eventually, he manages to overcome difficulties becomes a cricketer and fulfills his dream of playing for the national cricket team. Iqbal was awarded the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.
