Actor-producer Akshay Kumar, who is busy promoting his forthcoming sports-drama film "Gold", says he would like to make biopic on life of Indian sprinter Hima Das who became the first Indian athlete to win a gold in a track event at just 18 year of age.
Interacting with media at an event organized by Edelweiss group here on Saturday to support & wish India contingent for Asian Games 2018, Akshay, asked on which Indian sports personality he would like to make a biopic as a producer, said: "I would like to make biopic on Hima Das because she is a track runner..
"...I think it was very rare feat to achieve because somebody who comes from interiors of India and wins gold medal in track (running) event was really incredible."
"India has been little bit weak when it comes to perform in track events and I feel we should encourage and support that form of sports to show the world that we have great talent when it comes to running as we daily run so fast to catch a bus or atrain... so, I would love to make biopic on her life," he added.
Akshay, to a query whether he feels that films can generate importance of sports in the minds of the audience and help India to become a better sports nation, said: "I really liked story of 'Gold' which is due for its release. I thought that this story needs to be told.
"It is very interesting and real story. There are some glorious achievement achieved by our people, by our country but it's not in public domain.
"Before doing this film, I didn't knew that we won our first Olympic gold medal in 1948. Most of us don't know when, how, where and in which circumstances we were able to win that gold medal by defeating, on their own turf, England who ruled us for 200 years... so, this kind of things cinema can represent all this in very nice way.
"If we make a documentary on this incident then one might watch it instead of that if we incorporate 4-5 songs, 1-2 fight sequence, hero and heroine in it then, it looks entertaining."
A historical sports drama inspired by India's first Olympic gold medal, "Gold" traces the "golden era" of Indian hockey through the journey of Tapan Das, a young assistant manager in 1936, who dreams of playing for an independent nation.
The film features Akshay Kumar, Amit Sadh, Kunal Kapoor, Sunny Kaushal, Vineet Kumar Singh and Mouni Roy in lead roles.
Directed by Reema Kagti and produced by Excel Entertainment, it releases on August 15.
ADIL HUSSAIN HOPES ASSAMESE ACTOR PLAYS HIMA DAS ON-SCREEN
Actor Adil Hussain is delighted that Akshay Kumar has expressed interest in making a biopic on sprinter Hima Das. He hopes an Assamese actor gets to play the part.
Reacting to a news article wherein Akshay has said he would like to make a biopic on "young achiever" Das, Adil tweeted: "That's a good news.. But I hope that an Assamese actor is cast to play the role... Or may be Hima Das herself should play the part!?"
A Twitter user was not pleased with the idea of a biopic on Das.
That's a good news.. But I hope that An Assamese Actor is cast to play the role.. Or may be @HimaDas8 herself should play the part!? @Akshay Kumar: I would like to make a biopic on Hima Das | Hindi Movie News - Times of India https://t.co/RxbGWarBDB
— Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) July 28, 2018
"Adil, please save her. She is precious. Tell your friends (Akshay) to stay away. This is not a good idea. Do what you like in 2030. August she has Jakarta, 2020 she has Tokyo. And do not forget in 2030 she will be just 30. Mary Kom was done after she got 5 medals.
"She is running her first senior international event and you all are disturbing her with talks of films and casting. A biopic can wait. Do it in 2030. If she fails and you dump the biopic, do you have any idea what damage it will have. This is track and field, not takes and retakes of Bollywood and a microsecond counts."
On his part, Adil said: "I don't know Akshay Kumar. Never met him. It would be appreciated if she is left alone to do her practice. But I guess no one can stop anyone from making a movie hence I suggested an Assamese Actor to play her role."
The MC Mary Kom biopic, directed by Omung Kumar, saw Priyanka Chopra play the boxer on the big screen.
