- Nasima Akter
Muttiah Muralitharan’s Biopic “800” Trailer Release
The biographical story of former Indian-origin Sri Lankan cricketer Muthiah Muralidharan is set to be brought to the screen in a movie titled "800." Initially, Tamil star Vijay Sethupathi was cast as the lead in the film. However, in 2020, there was significant opposition from pro-Tamil groups and Tamil celebrities, which ultimately led to Vijay Sethupathi's withdrawal from the project. This opposition stemmed from Muralidharan's political stance during the Sri Lankan Civil war, which concluded in 2009.
In "800," actor Madhurr Mittal takes on the role of Muthiah Muralidharan. The recently released trailer of the film provides a glimpse into the remarkable journey of how a cricketer of Tamil origin found himself representing the Sri Lankan National team during a period marked by intense civil unrest between the Tamil and Sinhalese communities in Sri Lanka.
The 186-second trailer for "800" starts by emphasizing that the film explores "The unknown story of Muttiah Muralitharan." It commences by providing glimpses of the events in Sri Lanka during the 1970s, a time marked by pogroms targeting the minority Tamils. The trailer highlights the challenges faced by the Tamil population during that tumultuous period.
A voiceover in the trailer says, "For someone who hails from a group of migrant laborers, getting recognized as a citizen itself is very tough," as we see a young man in a white cricket jersey kneeling before an armed army personnel who holds him at gunpoint. This sets the stage for the compelling narrative of Muralitharan's journey in the film.
The trailer also brings attention to the "no-ball" taunts that were frequently directed at Muttiah Muralitharan and highlights how he was unfairly targeted for allegations of chucking, or an illegal bowling action. This aspect of his career, which involved controversies and challenges, is likely to be a significant part of the film's narrative.
"800" derives its title from Muthiah Muralidharan's legendary achievement of taking 800 wickets in Test cricket, a record that still stands as the highest number of wickets by any bowler in international cricket history. Additionally, his combined total of 800 wickets in Test matches and 530 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs) remains an unparalleled record as of 2023.
Directed by MS Sripathy and produced by Movie Train Motion Pictures and Vivek Rangachari, the film aims to capture the incredible journey and achievements of this cricketing legend.
"800" boasts a talented technical crew, with notable individuals in key roles. The film features music by Ghibran, cinematography by RD Rajasekar ISC, and editing by Praveen KL. These skilled professionals are expected to contribute to the overall quality and impact of the movie.
More About Muthiah Muralidharan
Muttiah Muralitharan, despite enduring frequent and intrusive scrutiny, as well as undergoing numerous rigorous tests of his bowling action, seldom engaged in verbal retorts. Instead, the off-spinner consistently adopted a "show, don't tell" approach, silencing his critics by demonstrating his extraordinary skills on the cricket field.
Today, he holds a distinguished place in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket. His incredible accomplishments include the remarkable achievement of securing 800 Test wickets and over 530 wickets in ODIs.
