Bengaluru: The crew of Maidaan said they could not think of any other actor to play the legendary character of Syed Abdul Rahim than actor Ajay Devgn because of his deep commitment which he continued to show by giving hundred per cent despite suffering from a bad leg during one of the shoots.
Rahim also known as Rahim Saab was an Indian football coach and manager of the Indian national team from 1950 until his death in 1963 and was a former player.
He is regarded as the architect of modern Indian football.
"We were shooting in Kolkata and Ajay Sir had a huge problem with his leg and he couldn’t even walk properly. At one point of time, he said: "Let’s try and see if we need a body double" for a particular football playing sequence, which was very demanding. And we said, of course, that was okay, we can get a body double. Then when Ajay sir heard the sequence he said, “let me just try it," Maidaan Producer Akash Chawla told UNI.
"And with that particular bad condition of his leg that he was suffering from at that point of time, he would go, he would shoot, he would come back after the shot and he would put his leg in the icebox, and then he would go back to his shot again. He never even once would say to Amit Sharma that he wouldn’t do a re-take or anything like that," he added.
So, such a commitment influenced the entire crew, Chawla said.
"In Kolkata, while we were shooting on the field, we had around 300 people on the set. And to see that level of commitment is something that is truly inspirational for all of us. So, I feel with this level of commitment, Ajay Sir was the perfect person to portray Rahim Sahab in the movie," he said.
Maidaan Director Amit Sharma too said he doesn't see anybody else doing this film than Ajay.
"He is an amazing actor and apt person to play this role. With the level of commitment that he has given to this film through his role as Syed Abdul Rahim, you will see his whole new avatar in this film," he said. (UNI)
