'M S Dhoni' biopic release postponed to 2016; shoot begins this July

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Shooting was to start on June 25 but now has been pushed to July and its Dussehra date has been taken over by another film.

Mirror (June 15) had earlier reported how Sushant Singh Rajput has been training for four months for MS Dhoni"The Untold Story. From ballet to backflips, cardio to cricket, the actor is doing everything he can to look like MSD. The biopic was to roll on Thursday, June 25, but Mirror has now learnt that it will only go on the floors in mid-July. This means that the film which through its first teaser poster had promised a 2015 release and in January announced its release date as October 22, will not enter the theatres this year.

A source close to the development pointed out that it is not uncommon for biopics to extend their deadlines. And in this case, Sushant has had to undergo intensive training, as well as grow his hair long and then cut it short since Dhoni's look has changed dramatically in the last decade.

The research and scripting also took time. "They had to decide what personal and professional details to incorporate and what to leave out. A certain decorum has to be maintained as Dhoni is still a playing captain and has not retired from the game," argued the source, adding that even writer-director Neeraj Pandey was busy with his last film, the espionage thriller, Baby, till it opened on January 23.

Another reason for the delay is attributed to the tricky casting. "A lot of actors have to be cast, including those who will play sports icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly," added the source.

Were Dhoni's form and the backlash Team India has been facing after its recent defeats on overseas tours, also reasons for the makers to wait for a more opportune date? "No, that's not a concern. As long as Dhoni plays, he'll always give his best to Team India and will always be admired. The film will definitely come in 2016 though no date has been locked yet," the source retorted.

Arun Pandey of Inspired Entertainment, an associate company of Rhiti Sports, that has exclusive rights to Dhoni's story and is co-producing the film, when quizzed on the subject told Mirror, "Yes, it is true that the shooting of the official biopic of M S Dhoni will commence in July. We are fully ready now to roll and start the journey to narrate the inspirational story of the man, the legend, M S Dhoni."

Meanwhile, the Shahid Kapoor-Alia Bhatt romcom which revolves around a destination wedding, late on Thursday booked the Dussehra release date that had fallen vacant.