Last Updated: 10 July 2026, 5:15 PM IST | Fact Checked By: SpotlightersPost Editorial Team
The new movie about the life of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly just released its first poster. They shared it on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, to celebrate his 54th birthday, giving fans a first look at the main actor playing him. Along with the picture, the creators also announced when the movie will come out in theaters worldwide.
Quick Answer
TL;DR:The official sourav ganguly biopic poster was Revealed on 8 July 2026 to mark the cricket legend’s 54th birthday. Recreating the iconic 2002 NatWest Trophy final victory scene, the poster confirms the dada sourav ganguly movie release date is locked for 14 May 2027 across theatres worldwide during the Eid holiday weekend.
Netizens Backlash: Trolls Label Recreated Lord’s Balcony Celebration “Cringe”
Option 1: Short & Direct:
The very first movie poster shows the main actor copying Sourav Ganguly’s most famous celebration. It shows him taking off his shirt and waving it from the stadium balcony after India’s legendary NatWest Trophy final victory over England in July 2002.
Even though cricket fans clearly remember this famous moment, people on social media immediately argued about how the new poster looked. Public responses compiled by NDTV Profit show that many netizens trolled the artwork, calling it “cringe,” artificial, “AI-generated,” or “photoshopped”.
Aside from the visual effects, a significant segment of the audience expressed concern over the casting. Commentators argued that Rajkummar Rao’s naturally gentle and soft spoken screen presence struggles to project the aggressive dadagiri that defined Ganguly’s competitive era. Some went as far as calling the actor miscast, urging the production house to reconsider the lead role prior to next year’s theatrical launch.
Sorry, Rajkumar Rao looks too innocent to do the DADA-GIRI pic.twitter.com/MyaFpcNzol
— Mustafa Moudi (@Mustafamoudi) July 8, 2026
Dada poor casting will make your biopic flop. Sorry.
You should have casted someone else to play your charismatic personality on big screen. @RajkummarRao is a super flop actor. Nobody wanna see him on big screen. You still have one year pls change the actor.
— The Bitter Reviewer (@Criticskeeda) July 8, 2026
I am sorry Dada, Raj Kumar may be a good actor but in the poster he can’t even match 1% of your intensity
I feel it’s a miscast— ndhi_ni_lolli (@ndhi_ni_lolli) July 8, 2026
“Takes Me Back to 2002”: Sourav Ganguly Officially Endorses the First Look
While online commentators debated the visual style, the project received a definitive seal of approval from its legendary real-life subject. Sharing an official birthday video statement across his social media handles, Sourav Ganguly expressed his gratitude to his global fanbase before directly endorsing the biopic’s first look.
As reported in a Bollywood Hungama trade report, Ganguly praised the dedication of the film’s cast and crew. He noted that witnessing the shirtless celebration recreated on the poster was a deeply nostalgic experience that instantly brought back the electric atmosphere of the 2002 final.
“Today has been the launch of the first look of my biopic,” Ganguly stated. “Rajkummar, I think he has done an incredible job. It makes it even more special because it takes me back to the 2002 NatWest final and the Lord’s balcony celebration which is recreated by Rajkummar and the cast and the crew of my biopic”.
Behind the Scenes: Left-Handed Batting Prep & Behala Childhood Shoot
Transforming into the legendary captain has required physical commitment from the lead actor. Portraying the former captain meant that rajkummar rao as sourav ganguly had to completely retrain his athletic muscle memory.
Naturally right-handed, the actor spent several months in net sessions learning how to stance, guard, and strike left-handed to ensure his batting posture mirrors Ganguly’s fluid playing style on screen.
In addition to physical conditioning, vikramaditya motwane director has prioritized authentic backdrops. Following initial filming in Mumbai, the production unit moved directly to Kolkata.
In late May 2026, the crew shot childhood sequences on location at Ganguly’s actual ancestral home in Behala, south Kolkata. These scenes enact a young Sourav coming home after play, observed by a young girl representing a young Dona Ganguly, capturing the early roots of their real-life romance.
Re-establishing the Court: The Complete “Dada” Cast & Creative Crew
Scripted by Abhay Koranne, the biographical drama showcases a hand picked cast of highly praised actors. Tanya Maniktala portrays Ganguly’s wife, Dona. Acclaimed Bengali acting veterans Saswata Chatterjee and Aparajita Adhya step into the roles of Sourav’s parents, Chandidas and Nirupa Ganguly.
Famous actor Gajraj Rao gives a powerful performance as Jagmohan Dalmiya, the highly respected cricket boss who guided Ganguly when he was just starting his career. The visual style is handled by cinematographer Siddharth Diwan, aiming for a realistic portrayal of late nineties Indian cricket. The film is presented by Gulshan Kumar, Bhushan Kumar, T-Series, and DBL, produced under the banner of Luv Films.
| Actor Name | Character Played | Key Role in Ganguly’s Journey |
|---|---|---|
| Rajkummar Rao | Sourav Ganguly (Adult) | Iconic Indian Captain & Left-Handed Legend |
| Tanya Maniktala | Dona Ganguly (Adult) | Acclaimed Odissi Dancer & Sourav’s Wife |
| Vedant Sinha | Young Sourav | Young cricket enthusiast growing up in Kolkata |
| Srija Bhattacharyya | Young Dona | Sourav’s childhood neighbor and young love interest |
| Gajraj Rao | Jagmohan Dalmiya | Legendary Cricket Administrator & Mentor |
| Aparajita Adhya | Nirupa Ganguly | Sourav’s supportive mother |
| Saswata Chatterjee | Chandidas Ganguly | Sourav’s father |
| Rahul Dev Bose | Snehasish Ganguly | Sourav’s elder cricketer brother |
Bollywood’s Cricket Biopic Legacy: How “Dada” Compares
The upcoming release belongs to a successful lineage of cinematic tributes. The modern standard for sports biographies was established by Neeraj Pandey’s M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) starring Sushant Singh Rajput. Other notable entries include the controversial career focused Azhar (2016), Sachin Tendulkar’s docudrama Sachin: A Billion Dreams (2017), the 1983 World Cup recreation ’83 (2021), and the women’s cricket biography Shabaash Mithu (2022). With Chakda Xpress (tracing fast bowler Jhulan Goswami) and an upcoming film on Yuvraj Singh in active production, Dada represents a highly anticipated addition to the genre.
| Film Title | Release Year | Main Icon | Lead Actor | Directorial Lead | Box Office / OTT Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story | 14 May 2027 | Sourav Ganguly | Rajkummar Rao | Vikramaditya Motwane | Upcoming Theatrical |
| M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story | 2016 | MS Dhoni | Sushant Singh Rajput | Neeraj Pandey | Critical & Commercial Hit |
| ’83 | 2021 | Kapil Dev | Ranveer Singh | Kabir Khan | Recreated World Cup Triumph |
| Shabaash Mithu | 2022 | Mithali Raj | Taapsee Pannu | Srijit Mukherji | Women’s Cricket Pioneer |
| Kaun Pravin Tambe? | 2022 | Pravin Tambe | Shreyas Talpade | Jayprad Desai | Direct-to-Digital Release |
Verified FAQs: Dada Sourav Ganguly Movie Cast, Release Date, & Poster Details
When is the Sourav Ganguly biopic “Dada” releasing in theatres?
The biopic is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on Friday, 14 May 2027, targeting the extended Eid holiday weekend.
Why is the Sourav Ganguly biopic first look poster being criticized?
Netizens have trolled the poster, calling it artificial, “AI-generated,” or “photoshopped,” noting it looks like a fan-made edit rather than an official studio release.
How is Rajkummar Rao preparing to play Sourav Ganguly?
Rao has undergone intensive net practice to learn how to bat left-handed, reshaping his natural right-handed muscle memory to accurately portray the legendary batsman.
Who is playing the role of Dona Ganguly in the biopic Dada?
Talented actress Tanya Maniktala is playing the role of Sourav’s wife, Dona Ganguly.
Where was the shooting of the Sourav Ganguly biopic conducted?
Filming began in Mumbai before transitioning to Kolkata, where crucial childhood scenes were filmed on location at Ganguly’s actual family home in Behala.
Who is directing the upcoming Sourav Ganguly biopic?
The film is directed by respected filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, known for his realistic and grounded storytelling.
What iconic cricket moment is depicted on the first-look poster of Dada?
The poster recreates Ganguly’s famous shirtless celebration on the Lord’s balcony following India’s historic NatWest Trophy victory in July 2002.
Did Sourav Ganguly approve of Rajkummar Rao playing him in the biopic?
Yes, Ganguly endorsed the casting and praised the first look poster in an official video statement, stating Rajkummar Rao has done an incredible job.
Who is portraying young Sourav Ganguly in the film?
Child actor Vedant Sinha has been cast to play the younger version of Sourav Ganguly.
Who is playing Sourav Ganguly’s parents in the film?
Bengali actress Aparajita Adhya plays his mother, Nirupa Ganguly, and Saswata Chatterjee plays his father, Chandidas Ganguly.
Final Editorial Take
While the first look poster has divided visual design opinions online, the creative foundation of Dada remains exceptionally strong. Vikramaditya Motwane’s realistic directorial filmography and commitment to grounded filmmaking, combined with Rajkummar Rao’s proven acting calibre, ensure that the emotional reality of Ganguly’s inspiring career will be treated with absolute respect. As the production moves into post production and prepares its official teasers, audiences remain highly eager to see the “Prince of Kolkata” come to life on the silver screen.
Read More
- The Evolving Legacy of Bollywood’s Commercial Sports Biopics
- Vikramaditya Motwane’s Realistic Directorial Filmography
- Rajkummar Rao’s Diverse Upcoming Hindi Releases
- From Behala to Lord’s: Tracking the Inspiring Real-Life Journey of Sourav Ganguly
Disclaimer: All images, posters, and social media embeds referenced in this article are the intellectual property of T-Series, Luv Films, BCCI, and their respective creators. They are utilized here under fair use guidelines for journalistic reporting and commentary.
