Rajkummar Rao unveils DADA biopic first look on Ganguly's 54th birthday
Synopsis
On Sourav Ganguly's 54th birthday, Rajkummar Rao unveiled the first look of 'DADA: The Sourav Ganguly Story' — and the image chosen says everything: Rao shirtless on the Lord's balcony, tricolour behind him, recreating the 2002 NatWest moment that defined a generation. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, this may be the most anticipated cricket biopic since '83.
Key Takeaways
Rajkummar Rao revealed the first look of 'DADA: The Sourav Ganguly Story' on 8 July , Ganguly's 54th birthday .
The film is directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg under Luv Films .
The biopic is scheduled for a theatrical release on 14 May next year.
The poster recreates Ganguly's iconic shirtless celebration on the Lord's balcony after India's 2002 NatWest Trophy win.
Tanya Maniktala plays Dona Ganguly in the film.
Ganguly scored 11,363 ODI runs and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2004 .
Rajkummar Rao dropped the first look of 'DADA: The Sourav Ganguly Story' on 8 July, timed to coincide with former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly's 54th birthday. The biopic, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, is set to release in cinemas on 14 May next year.
The First Look Poster
The poster features the National Award-winning actor standing shirtless on the balcony of the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, recreating Ganguly's legendary celebration after India's 2002 NatWest Trophy triumph. A large Indian tricolour unfurls behind him in the frame.
The film's title 'DADA' is rendered in bold blue lettering, with the subtitle 'The Sourav Ganguly Story' and a tagline that reads: 'He Didn't Just Play The Game, He Changed It.'
The Moment Being Recreated
The image directly references one of Indian cricket's most celebrated moments. Ganguly-led Team India chased down 325 runs to win the NatWest tri-series final at Lord's against England in 2002, prevailing by 2 wickets with 3 balls remaining. England had batted first and set what appeared to be a formidable target. Reflecting on the win, Ganguly had said: 'I never believed we could win.'
Film and Cast Details
The biopic is produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg under the Luv Films banner. Tanya Maniktala plays Dona Ganguly, Sourav's wife, in the film. Rajkummar shared the poster with the caption: 'Happy Birthday our dearest Dada. @souravganguly #Dada #DadaTheSouravGangulyStory.'
Why Ganguly's Story Commands a Biopic
Widely regarded as the Maharaja of Indian Cricket, Ganguly transformed the national side into a fearless, combative unit in the early 2000s. As captain, he guided India to victory in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, and deep runs in the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2004 Asia Cup.
In his ODI career, Ganguly accumulated 11,363 runs — ninth on the all-time list for most runs in one-day internationals. He retired from international cricket in 2008 and from all formats in 2012, having been awarded the Padma Shri — India's fourth-highest civilian honour — in 2004. With Motwane at the helm, the biopic carries significant creative pedigree and arrives at a moment of renewed public appetite for cricket-themed cinema.
Point of View
And Motwane knows it. What the poster does not yet reveal is how the film will handle the more contested chapters of Ganguly's story: his turbulent exit from captaincy, his complicated relationship with the BCCI, and his later administrative innings. Biopics of living Indian legends have historically softened edges; the real test of 'DADA' will be whether Motwane's reputation for unflinching storytelling survives the subject's proximity to the project.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'DADA: The Sourav Ganguly Story'?
'DADA: The Sourav Ganguly Story' is a biographical film on former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, starring Rajkummar Rao in the lead role and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. It is produced under the Luv Films banner and is scheduled to release on 14 May next year.
When was the first look of the Sourav Ganguly biopic released?
The first look was unveiled on 8 July, which is Sourav Ganguly's 54th birthday. Rajkummar Rao shared the poster on social media to mark the occasion.
What does the first look poster show?
The poster shows Rajkummar Rao standing shirtless on the Lord's Cricket Ground balcony, recreating Ganguly's iconic 2002 NatWest Trophy celebration, with a large Indian tricolour behind him.
Who else is in the cast of the Ganguly biopic?
Tanya Maniktala plays Dona Ganguly, Sourav's wife, in the film. Further cast details have not yet been announced.
What are Sourav Ganguly's major achievements as India captain?
Ganguly led India to win the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy and guided the team to the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy, and the 2004 Asia Cup. He scored 11,363 ODI runs and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2004.
