Who will play Sourav Ganguly in new Bollywood biopic?

Dubai: The suspense is over: Bollywood’s chameleon Rajkummar Rao has been handed the most high-pressure role of his career — playing Sourav “Dada” Ganguly in a grand biopic set to hit theatres in December 2026.

Yes, the Prince of Calcutta is finally getting his silver-screen treatment, and no, this isn’t a drill.

And the timing couldn’t be juicier.

Ganguly himself is already in the headlines for taking on his first-ever coaching gig with Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 league. From mentoring South African cricketers to having Bollywood immortalise his iconic shirt-waving-at-Lord’s moment, Dada is clearly having a very now moment.

The biopic, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, marks his second collaboration with Rao and promises to be more than just another cricket-meets-cinema nostalgia trip.

Shooting kicks off in January 2026, giving Rao just enough time to master Ganguly’s iconic left-handed batting style. The actor is already sweating it out in the nets, trying to channel that lazy, almost arrogant cover drive that defined an era.

Ganguly himself has approved the casting, calling Rao “the right choice” — which is as good as getting a captain’s armband from the man himself. But let’s be honest: this isn’t just any role. Dada was larger-than-life — part strategist, part rebel, part rock star. To pull him off, Rao will need to deliver attitude as much as authenticity.

There’s a Bengali touch too. Given Ganguly’s roots, the film will feature Bengali dialogue, and Rao is already in safe hands thanks to his wife, Patralekhaa, who’s Bengali. Bonus point: he speaks the language fluently, which should help him nail Dada’s swagger without sounding like a caricature.

Rao admits he’s both nervous and excited. And he should be. Playing Ganguly isn’t like playing a fictional hero; it’s like walking into the middle order with the crowd chanting your name — the pressure is crushing, the expectations sky-high. But if anyone can turn this innings into a six, it’s Rajkummar Rao.

So when December 2026 rolls around and the film finally premieres, the only real question will be: can Rajkummar Rao make audiences believe he’s Sourav Ganguly? With Dada already ruling the headlines off the field, the timing couldn’t be better. And if Rao n