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Director Vivek Agnihotri on sports films and his Goal
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In action Director Vivek Agnihotri on the sets
This could, well, be the year of sports films. It started with a couple of films woven around cricket which were weak in content and were not helped by India’s performance in the World Cup. But “Chak De India” turned the tide. Still
running, the film proved a true blue sports film can work in this country. It doesn’t have to be cricket to bring in the audience. This November it is going to be football, as UTV brings in the much-awaited “Goal” to theatres leaving the Hattrick failure behind.
Director Vivek Agnihotri says the film is based on a real life incident when in February 1958, a chartered aircraft bringing the Manchester United team back from a European Cup match against Belgrade in Yugoslavia stopped at Munich’s Riem Airport to refuel.
On the third attempt to take off, the plane overshot the runway and burst into flames. Seven Manchester United footballers were among the 21 killed. “They had to rebuild the team from scratch but they showed amazing spirit and went on to win one game after the other,” informs Vivek.
So Manchester United has become Southhall United on the reel. On the viability of soccer on reel, Vivek says, “Football is the most cinema-friendly sport because it hardly has any pauses.” He says the theme of the film focuses on how South Asians living in England unite to form this team. “UTV has given it everything to make it a grand project. It is the first film in the world to be shot at Manchester United’s headquarters at Old Trafford.” The film has been set in England for Vivek feels it will bring a realistic touch. “The protagonists are barbers and meat sellers. And it’s not only about the Indians, but also about downtrodden Pakistanis and Bangladeshis living there.
The film stars John Abraham and Arshad Warsi in the lead with Bipasha Basu as John’s love interest. “John has played football at college level. So it was not difficult for him to get into the character. It is Arshad who has really worked hard.” Isn’t he too plump to be a footballer? “Watch out, he is my Maradona.” And John? “Well, his character is shaped around Ronaldo.” Vivek, who could not taste success with his overtly stylised “Chocolate”, says that those who are looking for a love story between John and Bipasha will be disappointed. “There is a hint of romance, otherwise it is a hardcore football film. The sport is the star.”
ANUJ KUMAR
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