Shekhar Kapur wants Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in 'Masoom' — but cricket stands in the way
Synopsis
Shekhar Kapur openly wishes he could cast teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in 'Masoom: The New Generation' — the only problem being that the 15-year-old is busy rewriting IPL record books. It is a rare crossover moment where Bollywood's nostalgia meets cricket's next generation, and it says everything about the kind of natural star quality Sooryavanshi projects beyond the boundary rope.
Key Takeaways
Shekhar Kapur posted on X that he would have cast Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Masoom: The New Generation if not for the cricketer's career.
Masoom: The New Generation is currently in pre-production, with an ensemble cast including Naseeruddin Shah , Shabana Azmi , and Manoj Bajpayee .
Sooryavanshi, 15 , became the youngest player to score an IPL century , hitting 101 off 38 balls in IPL 2025 .
In IPL 2026 , he scored 776 runs at a strike rate above 237 , including a record 72 sixes for the Rajasthan Royals .
The Rajasthan Royals were eliminated from IPL 2026 despite Sooryavanshi's standout campaign.
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, the Padma Bhushan awardee behind the original Masoom, has revealed that he is captivated by the on-screen innocence of India's youngest cricketing sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — and would have cast the 15-year-old in his upcoming sequel, Masoom: The New Generation, if only the teenager weren't already one of the most exciting cricketers in the country.
What Kapur Said
On Sunday, Kapur took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a photograph of Sooryavanshi alongside a candid note. 'If Sooryavanshi wasn't such a sensational cricketer.. I could have cast him in Masoom the film,' he wrote. The post quickly drew attention, underlining how the young batter's natural presence has transcended the cricket pitch and caught the eye of one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated directors.
About 'Masoom: The New Generation'
The sequel to Kapur's landmark 1983 film is reportedly in pre-production, with shooting slated to commence later this year. Masoom: The New Generation is set to explore contemporary themes of identity, family, love, and migration through a modern lens, while preserving the emotional depth that made the original resonate across generations. The film reportedly brings together an accomplished ensemble cast featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Nithya Menen, and Kaveri Kapur.
The Cricketer Who Caught a Filmmaker's Eye
A left-handed batter from Bihar, Sooryavanshi burst onto the national stage with a series of breathtaking performances for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In IPL 2025, he became the youngest player to score a century in IPL history, smashing 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans. His hundred arrived in just 35 balls — the fastest IPL century by an Indian and the second-fastest in tournament history overall. He also struck the fastest fifty of that edition, reaching the milestone off just 17 balls. Across his debut season, he scored 252 runs in seven innings at a strike rate above 200.
A Defining IPL 2026 Campaign
Sooryavanshi's IPL 2026 season was even more commanding. He finished among the tournament's leading run-scorers, amassing 776 runs at a strike rate above 237, including one century, multiple half-centuries, and a record 72 sixes. His standout knocks included a 103 off 37 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad and a 97 off 29 balls in the Eliminator. Despite his heroics, the Rajasthan Royals were eliminated from IPL 2026. Kapur's admiration, then, is perhaps the most unexpected tribute of the cricketer's young career — a reminder that greatness in one arena can inspire wonder in another. Whether Sooryavanshi ever steps in front of a film camera remains to be seen, but for now, the pitch clearly has first claim.
Point of View
Not a drama school graduate, is being imagined for a prestige sequel points to a gap the industry rarely acknowledges. Whether Kapur was being whimsical or genuinely wistful, the observation lands: Sooryavanshi carries something in front of a camera — call it ease, call it presence — that cannot easily be manufactured.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Shekhar Kapur want to cast Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in 'Masoom'?
Kapur has expressed fascination with Sooryavanshi's natural innocence and screen presence, saying on X that he would have cast the 15-year-old in 'Masoom: The New Generation' if the teenager were not already a sensational cricketer. It is an admiring, candid observation rather than a formal offer.
What is 'Masoom: The New Generation' about?
It is a sequel to Shekhar Kapur's acclaimed 1983 film, reportedly exploring themes of identity, family, love, and migration through a contemporary lens. The film is in pre-production and features an ensemble cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Nithya Menen, and Kaveri Kapur.
What records has Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set in the IPL?
Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to score a century in IPL history, hitting 101 off 38 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. His hundred came in 35 balls — the fastest by an Indian and second-fastest overall in IPL history. In IPL 2026, he scored 776 runs at a strike rate above 237, with a record 72 sixes.
Which IPL team does Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play for?
Sooryavanshi plays for the Rajasthan Royals. Despite his standout performances in both IPL 2025 and IPL 2026, the Royals were eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoffs.
When is 'Masoom: The New Generation' expected to begin filming?
According to reports, the film is currently in pre-production and is slated to commence production later in 2025. No official release date has been announced yet.
