Dada - The Sourav Ganguly Story
Dada - The Sourav Ganguly Story hits Indian theaters May 14, 2027, with Rajkummar Rao playing the cricket legend and Vikramaditya Motwane directing. That's the film. What makes it worth watching isn't just the casting — it's that Motwane's the guy behind Udaan and AK vs AK, which means this won't be a standard hero's-journey biopic.
Why This Cricket Biopic Might Actually Work
Here's what's striking: most Indian sports films flatten their subjects into highlight reels. Sourav Ganguly's story doesn't compress that easily. He came into captaincy amid selection chaos, got fired, fought his way back, and left the game on his own terms — that's not a three-act structure. It's messier. It's better.
The first look poster, unveiled on Ganguly's birthday in July, recreates that iconic moment: Ganguly shirtless on the Lord's balcony after India's 2002 NatWest Series win. One image, and you already know what emotional beat the filmmakers are aiming for. What I keep coming back to is whether they'll actually dig into the harder years — the controversies, the board politics, the weight of leading a nation that treats cricket like religion.
Motwane doesn't make safe films. That's the bet here.
What We Know About the Production
Filming's already underway, which means this isn't some distant project announcement. Times of India reported that LUV Films and T-Series are jointly producing, with Abhay Koranne handling the screenplay.
Rajkummar Rao's the type of actor who commits physically to roles — he's not coasting on celebrity. Taking on a figure as recognizable as Ganguly (you can't fake the left-handed batting stance, for one) is a serious choice. Either it works or it's awkward. Hard to say which until we see footage.
Where to Watch & Release Schedule
Theatrical release: May 14, 2027, India.
Streaming: Not yet announced. No OTT platform has secured rights. Movie OTT typically updates its where-to-watch tracker the moment distribution deals go public, so that's worth bookmarking if you want real-time alerts on where this lands — Amazon Prime, Netflix, or wherever else gets the bid.
The film isn't out yet. It's in active production. So there's nothing to stream or rent right now, and there won't be until well after the theatrical window closes (usually 4–6 weeks for major Indian releases before digital platforms get involved).
If You're Interested in Sports Biopics
If you've connected with Dangal or MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, you'll probably want to track this one — but with the caveat that Motwane's sensibility is different. Those films leaned toward inspiration and triumph. Motwane's more interested in contradiction and cost. He's made films about fathers and sons, about performance and identity, about people who don't fit neatly into the stories told about them. That's closer to what Ganguly's actual life was.
The 2027 release date also means you've got time to revisit his playing career if you want context — the matches are widely available on cricket streaming platforms, and honestly, that's the real research for this film.
What Happens Next
Between now and May, expect a trailer that'll either confirm what you suspect (a serious, character-driven take) or throw everyone a curveball (Motwane's been known to do that). The casting choice of Rao, the involvement of Motwane, the production houses behind it — these all point in one direction. But trailers can lie.
Keep an eye on Movie OTT's release calendar for any streaming announcements once the theatrical run wraps. The moment rights are finalized, that's when you'll want to know where it's actually landing. Until then, May 14, 2027 is your date.
