Sourav Ganguly calls biopic first-look poster 'best birthday gift ever'
Synopsis
On his 54th birthday, Sourav Ganguly got a poster — and it was the Lord's balcony all over again. Rajkummar Rao, shirtless and tricolour-backed, channels the 2002 NatWest Trophy moment that defined a generation of Indian cricket. With a May 2027 release locked in, 'Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story' is already leaning into the mythology.
Key Takeaways
The first-look poster of Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story was unveiled on 8 July , coinciding with Ganguly's 54th birthday .
Rajkummar Rao , a National Award-winning actor, stars as Sourav Ganguly in the biographical film.
The poster recreates Ganguly's iconic shirt-waving celebration at Lord's after India's 2002 NatWest Trophy win.
The film is scheduled for theatrical release on 14 May 2027 .
Ganguly described the reveal as the 'best birthday gift ever' and praised Rao's 'sincerity and commitment' to the role.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday, 8 July called the unveiling of the first-look poster of his biopic 'Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story' the 'best birthday gift ever,' as the reveal coincided with his 54th birthday. The film, headlined by National Award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao, is scheduled for a theatrical release on 14 May 2027.
Ganguly's Reaction to the Reveal
Reacting to the poster launch, Ganguly said the timing had made the occasion unforgettable. 'Birthdays are always special and unveiling the first look of my biopic Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story today makes this one even more memorable. It is indeed the best birthday gift ever,' he said.
The former skipper added that the artwork instantly transported him to a defining chapter of his playing days, and expressed confidence in Rao's preparation for the role. 'The poster brings back a highly cherished moment from my cricketing journey. Rajkummar has approached the role with great sincerity and commitment,' Ganguly said.
What the First-Look Poster Depicts
The poster, unveiled by Rajkummar Rao on the occasion of Ganguly's birthday, recreates one of Indian cricket's most iconic images: the actor is seen standing shirtless on the Lord's Cricket Ground balcony, mirroring Ganguly's celebrated shirt-waving moment after India's victory in the 2002 NatWest Trophy final. A giant Indian tricolour forms the backdrop, anchoring the image in nationalist pride.
Ganguly extended his best wishes to the cast and crew, expressing hope that fans would pack cinemas. 'I wish him and the entire team my very best and I hope fans enjoy the movie on the big screen on 14th May 2027,' he said.
The Legacy Being Portrayed
Ganguly remains among the most consequential captains in Indian cricket history, credited with reshaping the team's competitive identity in the early 2000s. Under his leadership, India scripted a historic Test series win in Pakistan in 2004 and a drawn series in Australia in 2003-04, while ending Australia's 15-match winning streak with a 2-1 home Test series triumph in 2001.
His captaincy tenure also yielded a shared 2002 ICC Champions Trophy title with Sri Lanka, a runners-up finish at the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2002 NatWest Trophy — the triumph immortalised by the Lord's balcony celebration that now anchors the film's first-look imagery.
What to Expect Next
With the release still roughly ten months away, the biopic is likely to roll out further promotional material in the coming months. The choice of the Lord's celebration as the film's visual centrepiece signals that the makers are positioning 'Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story' as a story of defiance and resurgence — themes that defined Ganguly's career and continue to resonate with Indian cricket fans.
Point of View
And it carries emotional weight that transcends cricket. What the biopic will need to navigate carefully is the full arc: the highs of 2001 and 2002, but also the controversies, the Greg Chappell episode, and the complex BCCI chapter. A poster can afford mythology; a two-hour film cannot. Rajkummar Rao's track record with biographical roles is strong, but the real test will be whether the screenplay gives Ganguly's story its contradictions, not just its celebrations.
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 National Award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao in the lead role. It is scheduled for theatrical release on 14 May 2027.
Why was the first-look poster released on 8 July?
The first-look poster was unveiled on 8 July to coincide with Sourav Ganguly's 54th birthday, a gesture Ganguly himself described as 'the best birthday gift ever.'
What does the first-look poster show?
The poster features Rajkummar Rao standing shirtless on the Lord's Cricket Ground balcony, recreating Ganguly's iconic shirt-waving celebration after India's victory in the 2002 NatWest Trophy final, with a giant Indian tricolour as the backdrop.
What are some of Sourav Ganguly's key achievements as India captain?
Under Ganguly's captaincy, India ended Australia's 15-match winning streak with a 2-1 home Test series win in 2001, drew a Test series in Australia in 2003-04, won the 2002 NatWest Trophy, shared the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka, and reached the final of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Who is playing Sourav Ganguly in the biopic?
National Award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao is playing Sourav Ganguly in the biopic. Ganguly praised Rao for approaching the role 'with great sincerity and commitment.'
