Discover the best Bollywood cricket movies of all time that you as a true cricket fan cannot afford to miss. This is a compilation of Bollywood movies based around cricket which is often revered as a religion in India, holding a cherished position in the hearts of millions.
Top Indian Cricket Movies Bollywood
- Lagaan (2001) – The movie is set in the Victorian period in India in which the people of a small village accept a challenge to play a cricket match against the British officers to waive their high taxes. Lagaan was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, who also co-wrote the script with Kumar Dave and Sanjay Dayma, produced by Aamir Khan, and starred Aamir Khan.
- M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) – A biographical sports film based on the life of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian cricket captain. The movie showcases his journey from being a young boy in Ranchi to becoming one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. The movie was directed by Neeraj Pandey, who co-wrote the script with Dilip Jha, produced by Arun Pandey and Fox Star Studios, and starred Sushant Singh Rajput, Kiara Advani, Disha Patani, and Anupam Kher. Sushant Singh Rajput underwent intense training and preparation to convincingly portray the MS Dhoni’s playing style and body language.
- Sachin: A Billion Dreams (2017) – A documentary-style biographical film that chronicles the life and career of the legendary Indian cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar. The film showcases his journey from a young boy to one of the greatest cricketers in history, capturing his personal life and cricketing milestones. The movie was directed by James Erskine, who co-wrote the script with Sivakumar Ananth, produced by Ravi Bhagchandka, Shrikant Bhasi, and Carnival Motion Pictures, and starred Sachin Tendulkar, Anjali Tendulkar, Mayuresh Pem, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The film includes footage of Tendulkar’s personal life, including his wedding, the birth of his children, and his interactions with his family and friends.
- 83 (2021) – The film is a biographical sports drama that revolves around the Indian cricket team’s historic win at the 1983 Cricket World Cup. The movie captures the journey of Kapil Dev, the team captain, and the Indian cricket team as they defy the odds and emerge victorious. 83 was directed by Kabir Khan, who co-wrote the script with Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, produced by Vishnu Vardhan Induri, Madhu Mantena, Kabir Khan, and Deepika Padukone, and starred Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Tahir Raj Bhasin, and Saqib Saleem.
- Azhar (2016) – A biographical sports film based on the life of the former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin, covering his career, personal life, and match-fixing controversies. The movie was directed by Tony D’Souza, written by Rajat Arora, produced by Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, and N.P. Singh, and starred Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai, Nargis Fakhri, and Kunaal Roy Kapur. Azharuddin initially objected to the film’s release, but later withdrew his objections after watching a screening.
- Shabaash Mithu (2022) – This is a biopic on Mithali Raj, former captain of India’s women cricket team. It showcases the struggles and successes of Mithali Raj in the world of women’s cricket. The movie, directed by Srijit Mukherji and written by Priya Aven, stars Taapsee Pannu.
- Jersey (2022) – The story of Arjun Talwar (Shahid Kapoor), a talented cricketer from Chandigarh who quits cricket after a misprinted selection list. Arjun’s life takes a turn for the worse, but after several years, he is given a chance to play cricket again. Directed and written by Gowtam Tinnanuri, the movie is produced by Dil Raju, Suryadevara Naga Vamsi, and Aman Gill. The cast includes Shahid Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur, and Pankaj Kapur.
- Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii (2007) – An orphan boy finds a magical cricket bat, which helps him fulfil his dream of playing for the Indian cricket team. The movie was directed by Kittu Saluja, written by Karan Kashyap and Yatharth Ratnum, produced by Sangeetha Ahir, and starred Zain Khan, Rahul Bose, Rajeshwari Sachdev, and Susheel Parasher. The film features cameos from several Indian cricketers, including Kapil Dev, Irfan Pathan, and Rahul Dravid.
- Ferrari Ki Sawaari (2012) – A father borrows a Ferrari to fulfil his son’s dream of playing cricket at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Ferrari Ki Sawaari was directed by Rajesh Mapuskar, who co-wrote the script with Vidhu Vinod Chopra, produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and starred Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, Ritvik Sahore, and Paresh Rawal. The film’s plot was inspired by a real-life incident in which Sachin Tendulkar was denied the opportunity to practice at Lord’s Cricket Ground due to a lack of proper attire.
- Iqbal (2005) – The story revolves around a deaf and mute young boy with an extraordinary talent for cricket, who dreams of playing for the Indian national team. Iqbal was directed and written by Nagesh Kukunoor, produced by Subhash Ghai, and starred Shreyas Talpade, Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad, and Shweta Prasad. The film was critically acclaimed and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.
- Patiala House (2011) – A talented cricketer must choose between fulfilling his father’s dreams or pursuing his own cricketing career. Patiala House was directed by Nikkhil Advani, who co-wrote the script with Anvita Dutt and Earl D’Souza, produced by Bhushan Kumar, Mukesh Talreja, and Krishan Kumar, and starred Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Akshay Kumar, and Anushka Sharma. The film’s director, Nikkhil Advani, is a huge cricket fan and reportedly based the film’s plot on his own experiences growing up in London and playing cricket with his father.
- Dil Bole Hadippa! (2009) – A young woman disguises herself as a man to join an all-male cricket team and prove her worth as a player. The movie was directed by Anurag Singh, written by Aparajita and Jaya-Aparajita, produced by Aditya Chopra, and starred Shahid Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Anupam Kher, and Dalip Tahil. Rani Mukerji, who played the lead role in the film, underwent rigorous training to learn cricket and convincingly portray a male cricketer.
- Kai Po Che! (2013) – Based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel “The 3 Mistakes of My Life,” the film follows three friends who start a cricket training academy to produce the country’s next cricket stars, but their friendship and dreams are challenged by religious politics and personal issues. The movie was directed by Abhishek Kapoor, who co-wrote the script with Chetan Bhagat, Pubali Chaudhuri, and Supratik Sen, produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur, and starred Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao, Amit Sadh, and Amrita Puri. The film’s climax, which depicts the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, was shot on location in Bhuj, Gujarat, where the cast and crew faced several challenges due to the harsh weather conditions.
- Kaun Pravin Tambe (2022) – It is a compelling story of an Indian cricketer’s persistent journey to play in the Ranji Trophy, starring Shreyas Talpade. The film follows Pravin Tambe, a real-life cricketer who made his debut in the IPL at the age of 41. Directed by Jayprad Desai and written by Kedar Patankar, Kapil Sawant, and Kiran Yadnyopavit, it features Shreyas Talpade, Gaurav Kamble, and Arif Zakaria in the lead roles.
- 99 (2009) – The film is a comic thriller that follows two small-time crooks who find themselves entangled in a world of match-fixing and deceit, as they try to pay off their debts and overcome their failures. The film’s title is a reference to the year 1999, which was a significant year in Indian cricket history, as it marked the match-fixing scandal involving several high-profile players. The movie was directed by Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru, who also co-wrote the script with Sita Menon, produced by Anupam Mittal and Aditya Shastri, and starred Kunal Khemu, Boman Irani, Soha Ali Khan, and Cyrus Broacha.
- 1983 (2014) – Set in a small village in Kerala, the film tells the story of a group of cricket-crazy youngsters who aspire to play for the Indian cricket team and relive the glory of India’s 1983 World Cup victory. 1983 was directed by Abrid Shine, who co-wrote the script with Bipin Chandran, produced by Shamsudheen, and starred Nivin Pauly, Anoop Menon, Nikki Galrani, and Joy Mathew. The film’s director, Abrid Shine, was inspired to make the film after hearing his father’s stories about the 1983 World Cup victory and his own experiences playing cricket as a youngster.
Over the years, numerous Hindi films have been produced with cricket as their central theme, captivating audiences and earning their admiration. From the list above, which film is your favourite? Or perhaps your top choice is missing from the selection provided. Comment below.
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