Top 5 Movies Based on Cricket

Cricket is in actuality (for lack of a better word) a ‘religion’ in India and holds equal importance to movies and culture. So, with the 2019 Cricket World Cup right around the corner, we here at JFMF opted to celebrate the 45-day extravaganza (the World Cup) by recommending some of the Best Indian Cricket Movies which you should definitely watch in-between these heart-pounding 50-over matches.

Also Read: Top 10 Political Bollywood Movies

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5. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)

Director – Neeraj Pandey
Starring – Sushant Singh Rajput
Language – Hindi

Directed by Neeraj Pandey and starring Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead role, M.S. Dhoni: An Untold Story enlightens the childhood and the early life of one of the most decorated Indian Cricket Team captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. With many encouraging and inspiring sequences in the movie that were fascinating to watch. The hard work and struggle that Dhoni had to go through to achieve his goal were truly amazing to watch. But, with a three-hour runtime, this film still feels like a half-baked hagiography where we are left with unrequited questions and dilemma.

Related: ‘M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story’ Review

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4. Iqbal (2005)

Director – Nagesh Kukunoor
Starring – Shreyas Talpade
Language – Hindi, Sign Language

If you still think that a dumb and a deaf lead cannot carry a movie, then my friend you haven’t watched Iqbal yet. For us millennials, it was a motivational coming of age sports drama because of ‘Kuch paane ki ho aas aas, Koi arman ho Jo khas khas...’ You have sung it, right? In a cricket loving country, watching a guy called Iqbal who grows up to eat, sleep and live cricket is a pure treat to the eyes. The story does not have any twist and turns. It is to Kukunoor’s credit that he still holds the audience interest right down to the last ball.

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3. Sachin: A Billion Dreams (2017)

Director – James Erskine
Starring – Sachin Tendulkar
Language – Hindi & Marathi

Known as The God of Cricket and The Master Blaster, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has a special place in all our hearts not only for his tremendous contribution to the Indian Cricket Team but also because of his generosity and the compassion that he always portrays. Watching him narrating his life, sharing his experiences, achievements, failures and the difficulties that he had to go through personally was extremely gratifying to watch. As a modest fan, while watching the film, I instantly reacted emotionally, recalled my childhood watching Sachin play and felt connected with the film from the get-go. A perfectly executed film and a must watch for all cricket fans.

Related: ‘Sachin: A Billion Dreams’ Review

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2. Jersey (2019)

Director – Gowtham Tinnanuri
Starring – Nani & Shraddha Srinath
Language – Telugu

Jersey starring Nani and Shraddha Srinath in the lead roles explores the story of a passionate cricketer, who is in his mid-30s coming back from retirement to fulfill his dream. This movie tells an incredible story of the finest, well-written and magnificently narrated character accompanied by an inspiring message that ‘It’s Never Too Late To Dream’. This is definitely one of the best sports movies to date and will remain close to my heart moving forward.

Related: ‘Jersey’ Review

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1. Lagaan (2001)

Director – Ashutosh Gowariker
Starring – Aamir Khan
Language – Hindi, English & Awadhi

Released in 2001, Lagaan is, in fact, one of the best movies in both Aamir Khan’s and director Ashutosh Gowariker’s career. Also, this 224-minute sports drama garnered both critical and commercial acclaim from multiple different markets including China and the United States, with many even calling it as one of the more influential films in Indian Cinema. Retailing every single ingredient from romance, emotion, comedy to a well-rounded inspirational storyline needed for an entertaining movie, Lagaan is one of those very special Indian films, which will be remembered and will hold a special place in the audience’s heart for a very long time.

A Collaborative Effort with Aditi Parikh

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