Vijay Deverakonda, the young and talented actor of Telugu Film Industry, was the first choice to play the role of star cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth in upcoming Bollywood movie 83. Bollwyood star Ranveer Singh is on the board to play the role of former Indian national cricket team captain Kapil Dev in this drama that is being directed by Kabir Khan. Vijay Deverakonda was approached to play cricketer Srikkanth’s role in the film but as rejected the offer, the makers approached Tamil actor Jiiva.
The latest report reveal that Kollywood actor Jiiva, popular among Telugu audiences for the blockbuster thriller Rangam, has been roped in to 83, to the reprise the role of former Team India’s star cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth in upcoming Bollywood movie 83. Jiiva will be shedding 7 kilos for his part in the film 83 and he has already started his training under cricketer Chandu Border.
Kabir Khan will helm this upcoming film and NTR’s co-producer Vishnu Induri is producing it in association with Reliance Entertainment and Phantom Films. 83 is expected to hit the theaters by April 2020.
Recently during the media interaction, one of the producer Madhu Mantena revealed that Jiiva is his favourite actor in Tamil. He said, “ I have been a huge fan of Jiiva since the time I saw one of my favourite films with him called KO. I have always wanted to remake it here in Hindi. Now I am very happy as i am getting a chance to work with him. I can’t think of anyone better to be able to do justice in playing Tamil Nadu-based cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth on the big screen.”
According to Jiiva, the shooting of 83 will be held in London for 100 days.
On the otherside, currently Vijay Deverakonda is busy in his upcoming movie Dear Comrade.