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On the occasion of cricket icon Sourav Ganguly’s 54th birthday, the makers of Dada unveiled the first look of Rajkummar Rao, who is portraying this one of India’s most celebrated cricket captains.
The poster recreates one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history—Ganguly taking off his jersey and waving it from the Lord’s balcony after India’s unforgettable come-from-behind victory in the 2002 NatWest Series final against England. A celebration etched into the memories of cricket fans, the moment symbolized a new era of fearless Indian cricket and remains one of Ganguly’s defining images.
The reveal comes just days after audiences witnessed Rao’s portrayal of Ujjwal Nikam in the trailer of Prahaar, making it two vastly different real-life characters essayed by him. While Prahaar is about the fearless lawyer who fought some of India’s most high-profile legal battles, Dada celebrates the life of the man who in some ways transformed Indian cricket with his fearless leadership.
Known for “disappearing” into every role he takes up, Rao has portrayed some of India’s most compelling real-life personalities. From his acclaimed performances in Shahid, Bose: Dead/Alive, and Srikanth to now embodying both Ujjwal Nikam and Sourav Ganguly, he continues to push the boundaries of biographical storytelling.
News18, however, reports that the first-look poster has triggered a wave of online criticism, with many users calling it poorly edited, AI-like, or fan-made. Social media platforms like Reddit, Instagram, and X saw comments mocking the composition, comparing it unfavorably to school projects or amateur Photoshop work. Some even demanded its removal, while others urged patience until the teaser is released. All this when Ganguly himself has praised it wholeheartedly!
Written by Abhay Koranne, the Vikrmaditya Motwane-directed film co-stars Tanya Maniktala and is produced by Ankur Garg and Luv Ranjan. It is due for release on May 14 next year.
