Cricket icon Sourav Ganguly received a memorable birthday surprise as the makers of his much-awaited biographical film, Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story, unveiled its first-look poster. Released on the former Indian captain’s 54th birthday, the poster introduces National Award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao as Ganguly, instantly generating excitement among cricket and cinema fans alike.
The first look pays tribute to one of the most unforgettable moments in Indian cricket history. Rajkummar Rao is seen standing shirtless on the balcony of the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, triumphantly waving his jersey while the Indian tricolour dominates the backdrop.
The poster recreates Ganguly’s iconic celebration after India’s stunning victory over England in the 2002 NatWest Series final. The famous gesture came in response to Andrew Flintoff’s shirt-waving celebration in Mumbai months earlier and has since become a defining image of Ganguly’s fearless leadership.
Adding to the impact is the film’s bold title, DADA, accompanied by the powerful tagline: “He Didn’t Just Play The Game, He Changed It.”
The poster quickly went viral across social media, with fans praising Rajkummar Rao’s striking resemblance to the former Indian captain. Soon after its release, Sourav Ganguly himself shared the poster on Instagram and expressed his excitement about the film. Reacting to Rajkummar Rao’s transformation, the cricket legend wrote:
“The Best Gift Ever! Can’t wait to see you play my cover drive! @rajkummar_rao”
The heartfelt message delighted fans, who flooded the comments section with birthday wishes and anticipation for the biopic. The film brings together an impressive creative team. It is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, known for critically acclaimed films such as Udaan and Lootera. The project is being produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg under Luv Films in association with T-Series.
The supporting cast features several acclaimed actors portraying key figures from Ganguly’s life. Tanya Maniktala will play his wife, Dona Ganguly, while veteran Bengali actor Saswata Chatterjee essays the role of Ganguly’s father, Chandi Ganguly. Aparajita Adhya will portray his mother, Nirupa Ganguly, and Gajraj Rao steps into the role of former BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya.
Rather than focusing solely on Ganguly’s cricketing achievements, the biopic promises to chronicle his complete journey—from a talented youngster in Kolkata to one of India’s most influential captains, whose aggressive mindset transformed the team’s approach to overseas cricket and laid the foundation for a new era.
With Rajkummar Rao leading the cast and Vikramaditya Motwane at the helm, expectations are already soaring for what could become one of the biggest sports biopics in recent years.
Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on May 14, 2027, during the extended Eid holiday weekend, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
