Sourav Ganguly approves Dada poster as internet debates Rajkummar Rao's casting

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly praised the first look of Rajkummar Rao's Dada and said it revived memories of the 2002 NatWest final. The poster drew mixed reactions online as the internet debated the actor's casting.

In Short

• Sourav Ganguly praised the first look poster of his biopic Dada
• The poster recreates 2002 NatWest final Lord's balcony moment
• Rajkummar Rao's portrayal of the former captain got mixed reaction online

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly praised the first-look poster of Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story, saying it took him back to the 2002 NatWest final and the Lord's balcony. His reaction came even as the first look of the Rajkummar Rao-starrer drew mixed responses online after its release. Some social media users even pointed out that the actor seemed like a misfit.

The poster was unveiled on Ganguly's birthday, with the makers also announcing that the biopic will release in cinemas on May 14, 2027, over an extended holiday weekend.

In a video message on Wednesday, the 54-year-old thanked fans for their wishes and said Rajkummar had done an "incredible job" recreating one of the most memorable moments of his career.

"Thank you everyone for these sincere birthday wishes. It makes me feel so humble year after year that I get so much love and affection from so many people all around the country and the world," Ganguly said, while referring to the launch of the film's first look and Rajkummar's portrayal of him.

He added, "Today it's been the launch of the first look of my biopic. Rajkummar, I think he's done an incredible job, and it makes it even more special because it takes me back to the 2002 NatWest final and the Lord's Balcony, which is recreated by Rajkummar and the cast and the crew of my biopic. So once again, thank you so much for my birthday wishes and, as I said, it makes me feel incredibly humble year after year."

The first look poster recreates Ganguly's shirt-waving celebration from the Lord's balcony after India's NatWest Trophy win over England in 2002. The image has long been associated with a new phase in Indian cricket under Ganguly's leadership.

Ganguly also shared the poster on X and wrote, "The Best Gift Ever! Can't wait to see you play my cover drive! (sic)"

The poster drew mixed reactions online after its release. Several users said they were excited to see Ganguly's journey being adapted for the screen.

One comment read, "Sourav Ganguly was my fav player at the time. He just clicked." Another said, "If Rajkummar nails that down-the-ground step-out six and the god-level cover drive, it's an automatic blockbuster. The God of the Off-Side meets one of the finest actors of our time. Can't wait (sic)."

Some users, however, were not convinced by the 41-year-old actor's appearance in the first look. One reaction said, "Man the first look looks so ai generated (sic)." Another user wrote, "No doubt Rajkumar is a good actor, but he seems like a misfit here. No peak detailing by the casting director (sic)."

Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story is directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg.

- Ends