Ranveer as Kapil, Saqib as Amarnath: The entire cast for biopic of 1983 World Cup triumph

Kabir Khan's 83 is slated to release on 10 April 2020. The excitement has already started to build on who will be playing who in the much-anticipated movie. The film is based on India's incredible triumph of the 1983 Cricket World Cup. India defeated Clive Lloyd’s West Indian team - which was considered the best back then - in the final to lift the coveted trophy.

It is no secret that the lead role in the movie - of the then skipper Kapil Dev - will be played by none other than the charismatic Ranveer Singh.

However, cricket and film enthusiasts are eager to know who will be playing the other cricketers and characters in the highly awaited sports drama. A majority of the roles and the actors who will play them have been disclosed already.

In this article, we list out the artists who will be playing significant roles in the film and exactly whose role they will be playing.

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#1 Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev

The energetic Ranveer Singh, who has delivered one hit after another in the film industry, will be playing the role of the talismanic skipper Kapil Dev.

It is reported that the actor will also get to spend three weeks with India's legendary all-rounder in order to pick up the character's personality as well as his style of play.

Playing a sportsperson on the screen will be something new for Ranveer. The role of someone of the status of Kapil Dev will specifically be a challenging task.

The Gully Boy and Padmaavat-actor will again have a chance to prove his mettle as well as his versatility. Balwinder Singh Sandhu is also helping Ranveer with his preparation. In fact, Ranveer has been a good batsman since childhood but he is finding the bowling part challenging.

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#2 Chirag Patil as Sandeep Patil

Sandeep Patil was a popular figure in the Indian team during the World Cup. The 62-year-old was a hard-hitting batsman as well as a medium pace bowler. The veteran player represented India in 29 Tests and 45 ODIs.

Sandeep's role will be portrayed by his own son - Chirag Patil. The 31-year-old is a Marathi film actor and has got a wonderful opportunity to depict the story of his own father.

“From the day the film was announced, my wife Deepa was hoping and wanting Chirag to play my part and she must have really prayed hard! When Ranveer Singh came on board to play Kapil Dev in the film, Chirag and many others were called for an audition and I think Kabir Khan must have heard the past prayers. Today, I feel proud and happy because Chirag did not get selected because he is my son, he has gone through an audition process to get selected for this film. Now it is up to him – Deepa and I can only wish him well,” Chirag said while speaking to The Quint.

This is indeed a true story of the popular saying 'like father like son.'

Sandeep Patil also had a few stints in front of the camera as an actor. Although Chirag has finished multiple projects in regional media, '83 provides him a big opportunity to make his mark in the Hindi film industry and get noticed.

His father had played the 1983 World Cup final against the Windies with broken ribs and also scored 27 runs in the low-scoring encounter. He also scored a blistering 51 off 32 deliveries in the all-important semifinal match against England.

Bringing out those sort of emotions will be a difficult task but at the same time an interesting challenge for Chirag.

#3 Saqib Saleem as Mohinder Amarnath

Saqib Saleem (left) and Mohinder Amarnath (right)

Renowned actor Saqib Saleem will be portraying the role of Mohinder Amarnath. The Mere Dad Ki Maruti-famed actor was, in fact, an active cricket player during his early days. The 30-year-old has formerly represented the state teams of Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir. Such an impressive background landed Saqib the role of all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath in the film.

Amarnath was a pivotal part of the World Cup-winning team and was the vice-captain as well. His 2 wickets and 46 runs in the semifinal of the tournament held paramount importance. He was also the Player of the Match in the final against West Indies in which he scalped 3 wickets besides scoring 26 runs with the bat.

The Patiala-born player had a successful career and represented the Indian team in 69 Tests (batting average 42.50 and 32 wickets) and 85 ODIs (batting average 30.53 and 46 wickets).

It will be intriguing to see Saqib Saleem playing Amarnath on the silver screen as he has been a former cricketer himself and is also a critically acclaimed actor.

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#4 Sahil Khattar as Syed Kirmani

Popular YouTuber Sahil Khattar has been roped in to play the role of Syed Kirmani. The veteran wicketkeeper played an important role in the group stage match against Zimbabwe. He supported Kapil Dev and stayed at the crease during the skippers' history-making knock of 175. Overall, Kirmani amassed 2759 runs in 88 Tests and 373 runs in 49 ODIs played for India.

Khattar is a rage amongst the youth for his YouTube channels Being Indian and Khattarnaak. His constant passion for work and energy has now earned him a Bollywood debut and that too in a multi-star studded movie like '83.

#5 Ammy Virk as Balwinder Singh Sandhu

Ammy Virk, thesinger-actor from Punjab, will display the charming fast bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu in the movie. The former Indian speedster had clinched 2 wickets in the World Cup final against Windies - most importantly of the wicket of opener Gordon Greenidge. He represented India in 22 ODIs and 8 Test matches.

Fans reminisce his inswinging delivery that got Gordon Greenidge out in the final even today. Watch it below:

Apart from delivering multiple hit single tracks such as Qismat, Ammy has also worked in multiple Punjabi movies such as Angrej, Nikka Zaildar, and Laung Laachi. The 26-year-old will make his Bollywood debut with '83.

The multi-talented Ammy Virk shared a picture with Balvinder Singh Sandhu as well as a short video confirming his role in the film (below) on his Instagram account:

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#6 Harrdy Sandhu as Madan Lal

Harrdy

Sandhu (left) will be portraying Madan Lal (Right)

Singer Hardy Sandhu has been finalized as the artist who will play the role of Madan Lal in the much-anticipated sports film. Quite interestingly, Harddy has also been a cricketer in the past. He is known to be a part of the Under-19 cricket team of Punjab. Shikhar Dhawan used to be his roommate and he has also played with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Ishant Sharma.

An elbow injury cut short Harddy's playing career and he became a successful singer thereafter. Kabir Khan's '83 will not be Harddy's first acting stint as he has featured in Punjabi films such as Yaaran Da Katchup and Mera Mahi NRI in the past. However, it will be his Bollywood debut.

The 32-year-old is popular for delivering blockbuster hits such as Tequilla Shot, Soch, Joker, Naa Ji Naa, Hornn Blow, Backbone, and most recently Kya baat Ay.

Madan Lal was the pick of the bowlers during the final of the World Cup and clinched 3 wickets against the Windies. The Punjab-born player also a memorable career wherein he played 39 Tests and 67 ODIs for Team India.

#7 Tahir Raj Bhasin as Sunil Gavaskar

Tahir Raj Bhasin (left), Sunil Gavaskar (Right)

31-year-old Tahir Raj Bhasin will display the role of Indian starlet Sunil Gavaskar. Kabir needed someone with a strong on-screen presence to play the role of the original Little Master and found the perfect match in Bhasin.

His role of Karan Rastogi in Rani-Mukherjee-starrer Mardaani was critically acclaimed. The actor has also played the role of Shiv in Force 2 and Shyam in Manto. He is presently shooting for Nitish Tiwari's Chhichhore and has bagged another major project in Kabir Khan's '83.

Gavaskar played 125 Tests for India and amassed 10122 runs at an average of 51.12. The Mumbai-born player also played 108 ODIs wherein he accumulated 3092 runs at an average of 35.13. The opener was one of the most popular players back then.

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#8 Jiiva as Krishnamachari Srikkanth

Jiiva (left), Krishnamachari Srikkanth (Right)

The role of Krishnamachari Srikkanth will be portrayed by Amar B Choudary or 'Jiiva' as he is known in the film industry. The Tamil actor has delivered multiple blockbuster hits in regional cinema.

Srikkanth was one of the heroes of the 1983 World Cup winning team. His 38 off 57 in the final against the Windies was the highest score of the match. The Right-hand batsman played 146 ODIs and amassed 4091 runs at an average of 29.01. He was also an occasional off-break bowler and clinched 25 wickets in his ODI career.

Jiiva has already started prepping for the role by watching Srikkanth's videos to pick up his body language.

#9 Dhairya Karwa as Ravi Shastri

Dhairya Karwa (left), Ravi Shastri (Right)

According to reports by Mumbai Mirror, Dhairya Karwa has been roped in to play the role of Ravi Shastri. Karwa had impressed critics and audiences both for playing the role of Captain Sartaj Singh Chandok in the film Uri: The Surgical Strike.

Shastri, who is the currently the Indian head coach, had a superb International career wherein he played 150 ODIs and 80 Test matches for the nation.

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#10 Pankaj Tripathi as PR Man Singh

Veteran actor Pankaj Tripathi will be seen playing the role of the hero behind all the action - the then team manager PR Man Singh.

Tripathi is a versatile actor who has played prominent roles in Gangs of Wasseypur, Fukrey, Masaan, Stree, and the popular web series Sacred Games and Mirzapur. Pankaj also disclosed in a Facebook post that he is excited to play the role of Man Singh and be a part of such a great story.

Man Singh was truly the Unsung Hero of the World Cup as he managed the team so well.

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Some more interesting facts about the film are that 'boot camp' like training sessions are being held with former cricket heroes of the 1983 World Cup.

Director Kabir Khan also shared a picture wherein Ranveer Singh is seen training under Balwinder Singh Sandhu.

The shoot of the film will begin in May 2019 in England. It is also reported that the entire cast will be travelling to Dharamshala towards the end of March for a 10-day team bonding session.