Muttiah Muralitharan on Tamil biopic: My legacy is cricket and ‘800’ attempts to tell the authentic story

Sri Lankan former cricketer Muthiah Muralidaran (left) and Madhur Mittal playing Muralitharan in the sports biopic '800', releasing in theatres on Friday.

Muthiah Muralidaran (aka Muttiah Muralitharan and Murali), the Sri Lankan cricketing legend who has transcended borders and cultures, is set to have his remarkable life story brought to the big screen in the sports-based film 800. The film, directed by MS Sripathy and produced by Movie Train Motion Pictures, is set to hit theaters on October 6 and has Madhur Mittal playing the lead role. As the highly anticipated release draws near, Muralitharan shares some insights in an exclusive interview:

Whose idea was it to make the biopic and what was your initial reaction to it?

The idea for the biopic actually came about by chance. It wasn't something I had actively pursued. Back in 2008, during a visit to Sri Lanka, director Venkat Prabhu and a team, including director Sripathy, came to meet us. My wife and her childhood friend, Venkat Prabhu, were reconnecting during this visit. After learning about my achievements and seeing my trophies, they proposed making a biopic. At that time, I wasn't too keen on the idea, but it eventually evolved. It was around the same time I decided to contribute to my foundation's (Foundation of Goodness) charitable work, and director Venkat Prabhu urged Sripathy to start writing the script. Despite some delays, the project took off, and 800 is finally hitting theatres on October 6.

Making a biopic is a huge responsibility and it is expected to be inspiring as well. So what are the things you kept in mind in that regard?

When the biopic idea was presented to me, I made it clear that the portrayal of my life should be accurate and not sensationalised. My primary concern was that the movie should stay true to reality. To me, the essence of a biopic lies in its ability to tell the genuine story of an individual's life. My own life journey is nothing short of a movie in itself, filled with highs and lows. I believe it is a unique and compelling story that doesn't need any embellishments.

Biopics are said to incorporate some fiction as well. To what extent is this film fictionalised?

There is minimal fiction in 800. While cricket plays a part, the film is primarily about 80 per cent of my life story, focusing on aspects that are not well-known. 800 delves into my childhood, interactions with selectors, and the circumstances that shaped my journey. The film goes beyond cricket to explore the challenges faced by my family and my country in the backdrop of my life.

There is minimal fiction in 800, which delves into my childhood, interactions with selectors, and challenges faced by my family and my country

To what extent did Madhur Mittal do justice to your role?

I had the opportunity to meet Madhur Mittal only twice during the film's production. The director and the team took responsibility for his training and performance, and I didn't want to interfere. After seeing the teaser and trailer, I am convinced that Madhur has portrayed me well, capturing around 70 per cent of my appearance and body language.

Have you watched the movie already?

Not yet. I'm eagerly looking forward to watching the movie. I'm a big movie enthusiast, and I didn't want to see just the rushes. To truly savour the experience, I'll be watching the complete film.

Did you visit the set of 800 to know what was going on and how?

I visited the film's set once while they were shooting at my parents' house. I don't have a deep understanding of the filmmaking process. It's a complex art, and I prefer watching movies as an audience. I appreciate the effort that goes into making a film, but it can be challenging. It's always disheartening to see producers suffer losses if a movie doesn't perform well. It's not just the actors; everyone involved is financially invested.

How do you see the result of a movie? Is critical acclaim important to you or the box-office collections?

A movie can either succeed or fail... similar to cricket. That's one of the reasons many cricketers are hesitant about having their biopics made. The fate of a movie, just like cricket, depends on various factors. My legacy is cricket, and 800 is our attempt to tell the authentic story. It's natural that some people will appreciate it, while others may not. The film's global release is being facilitated by Sivalenka Krishna Prasad, who has over 35 years of experience in the film industry.

Do you have plans of releasing the film in Sri Lanka?

Absolutely, 800 is scheduled to release worldwide, including Sri Lanka. It will be available in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Sinhalese languages to cater to the diverse Sri Lankan population, both at home and abroad.

Do you watch Telugu movies?

While Telugu movies are not commonly released in Sri Lanka, we do get to enjoy them through dubbed versions in Tamil and Hindi. I've had the opportunity to watch a few Telugu blockbusters like Baahubali, RRR, and Pushpa, which were released across India and dubbed into different languages, making them accessible to audiences like me. Telugu cinema's popularity is rapidly growing, and I believe it's on the verge of becoming a prominent presence in the global film industry.

Venkat Prabhu and your wife Madhimalar are childhood friends. Do you have connections in Kollywood, given your father-in-law was a Tamil film producer?

My wife's father, Ramamurthy garu, is no longer with us, but he had a significant presence in the Tamil film industry. He produced a couple of films with Karthi as the hero. He was a good friend of Chandramukhi (2005) director P Vasu, and Chandrasekhar as well. I received a marriage proposal for Madhimalar from Chandrasekhar. I have acquaintances in Kollywood, and many of them are well-known figures. Kalanidhi Maran from Sun TV and CEO Shanmugam, to name a few.

What are your thoughts before the release of the movie?

I'm feeling quite normal, as always. There's no reason for me to be stressed. It's not as if I'm preparing for a World Cup final.

The World Cup is going to start soon. Which is your favourite team?

My one and only favourite team is Sri Lanka. Although the Indian team is considered a top contender, especially given their recent performances, the Australian team is also strong. Predicting the World Cup winner is challenging; it requires an element of luck. During the previous World Cup, I thought New Zealand would win, but England emerged victorious.