Rajkummar Rao’s First Look as Sourav Ganguly in ‘Dada’ Goes Viral — Biopic Filming Moves to Eden Gardens in Kolkata
The internet erupted on Wednesday as the first behind-the-scenes photographs of Rajkummar Rao in character as Sourav Ganguly surfaced from the Kolkata schedule of Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story. The images, showing Rao at the iconic Eden Gardens cricket ground in full cricket whites, sent fans of both the legendary cricketer and the versatile actor into a frenzy of anticipation for one of Bollywood’s most awaited biopics.
Rao, who arrived in Kolkata earlier this week after completing the Mumbai leg of the shoot, was spotted at the Kolkata Maidan on Wednesday morning before heading to Eden Gardens for filming. The pictures, shared widely on Instagram and X, show the actor in what appears to be a recreation of one of Ganguly’s most memorable batting stances — a sight that immediately drew comparisons and commentary from cricket fans across the country.
The Transformation
Rajkummar Rao’s physical transformation for the role has been one of the most discussed aspects of the project since it was announced. The actor, known for his chameleon-like ability to disappear into characters — from the scrawny protagonist of Newton to the buffed-up hero of Mr & Mrs Mahi — has reportedly undergone intensive cricket training and physical conditioning to embody Ganguly’s distinctive batting style and on-field presence.
Sources close to the production say Rao spent three months training with former first-class cricketers to master Ganguly’s left-handed batting technique, his trademark off-side drives, and the elegant flick shots that were hallmarks of the “God of the Off Side.” The training extended to fielding, as Ganguly’s captaincy and on-field body language are expected to feature prominently in the film.
The leaked images from Eden Gardens show Rao wearing the Indian cricket team’s classic whites from what appears to be the late 1990s era — the period when Ganguly burst onto the international scene with his legendary debut century at Lord’s in 1996. The costume department has reportedly sourced period-accurate equipment and worked closely with cricket historians to ensure authenticity.
Eden Gardens: The Spiritual Home
The decision to film at Eden Gardens is laden with significance. The 68,000-capacity ground in central Kolkata is more than just a cricket stadium — it is the spiritual home of Sourav Ganguly’s career and a sacred site for Bengali cricket fans. Ganguly played some of his most memorable innings at Eden Gardens, including the famous 2001 Test against Australia where India staged one of cricket’s greatest comebacks.
The production team has reportedly been granted access to the ground for a 15-day schedule, during which key cricketing sequences — including match scenes, training montages, and off-field moments at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) offices — will be filmed. The CAB, which Ganguly later headed as president, is located adjacent to the ground, and scenes depicting his administrative career are also expected to be shot in Kolkata.
Local Kolkata residents and cricket fans gathered outside Eden Gardens on Wednesday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Rao in character. Social media was flooded with photos and videos from the crowds, with many fans holding up posters of both Rao and Ganguly and expressing excitement about the biopic.
About the Film
Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story is expected to chronicle the life and career of one of India’s most influential cricketers — from his early days in the Behala neighbourhood of south Kolkata, through his explosive international debut, his transformative captaincy that reshaped Indian cricket’s attitude, and his post-retirement career as BCCI president.
Ganguly, popularly known as “Dada” (elder brother in Bengali), is credited with instilling an aggressive, never-back-down mentality in Indian cricket during his captaincy from 2000 to 2005. His iconic celebration at Lord’s in 2002 — removing his shirt and waving it from the balcony after India won the NatWest Trophy final — remains one of the most powerful images in Indian sporting history.
The film is also expected to explore the controversies that marked Ganguly’s career — his public feud with coach Greg Chappell, his dramatic dropping from the Indian team, and his equally dramatic comeback that culminated in being part of India’s 2011 World Cup victory as a selector and administrator.
Why Rajkummar Rao?
The casting of Rajkummar Rao — rather than a more physically imposing actor — initially raised eyebrows among fans who expected someone with a larger frame to play the 5’11” Ganguly. However, Rao’s track record of delivering award-worthy performances through sheer commitment to his characters has won over most sceptics.
Critics point to Rao’s National Award-winning performances in Shahid and Newton, as well as his commercial successes in Stree and Srikanth, as evidence that he possesses the range to capture both Ganguly’s intensity on the field and his complex off-field persona. The actor has spoken publicly about his admiration for Ganguly, calling the role “the most challenging and exciting of my career.”
Ganguly himself has reportedly been involved in the production as a consultant, providing insights into personal moments and behind-the-scenes stories that will give the film an authenticity that purely research-based biopics often lack.
The Cricket Biopic Wave
The Ganguly biopic joins a growing list of cricket-themed films that have found success in Indian cinema. From MS Dhoni: The Untold Story starring Sushant Singh Rajput to 83 with Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev and Sachin: A Billion Dreams, cricket biopics have consistently resonated with Indian audiences who share a near-religious devotion to the sport.
What makes the Ganguly story particularly compelling for cinema is the dramatic arc — a gifted but temperamental cricketer from a privileged Kolkata family who had to fight internal politics, coaching disputes, and public perception to establish himself as the man who changed Indian cricket’s DNA. The Chappell saga alone provides enough dramatic material for a full film, and the question of how the filmmakers handle these controversial episodes will be closely watched.
The production is expected to continue in Kolkata through early June before moving to international locations for scenes depicting Ganguly’s career highlights abroad. A release date has not been officially announced, but industry sources suggest a late 2026 or early 2027 window, potentially timed to coincide with the start of the IPL season.
Related Articles
- Drishyam 3 Box Office Nears Rs 200 Crore Worldwide in Just 6 Days — Mohanlal Thriller
- Ranveer Singh Banned by FWICE Over Abrupt Don 3 Exit
- Hema Malini to Receive Dharmendra’s Posthumous Padma Vibhushan
- Cannes 2026 Palme d’Or Goes to Cristian Mungiu’s ‘Fjord’
- Rajkummar Rao’s First Look as Sourav Ganguly in ‘Dada’ Goes Viral — Biopic Filming Moves to Eden Gardens in Kolkata - May 29, 2026
- Yo Yo Honey Singh Opens Up About Bipolar Disorder Struggle — ‘Fame Meant Nothing, I Wanted Death’ — Singer Reveals Seven Years of Isolation and Addiction - May 28, 2026
- Drishyam 3 Box Office Nears Rs 200 Crore Worldwide in Just 6 Days — Mohanlal Thriller Becomes 2026’s Fastest Malayalam Film to Cross the Milestone - May 27, 2026
