Reports: Karan Johar backs out of Yuvraj Singh’s biopic after the all-rounder demands casting a A-List star

If reports are to be believed, renowned producer Karan Johar has backed out from former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s biopic. The Chandigarh-born Yuvraj is one of the finest all-rounders the country has ever produced. After making his debut in 2000 during the ICC Knockout Trophy, Yuvraj went on to play until 2017 after which he lost his place in the Indian national team.

In 2019, Yuvraj retired from international cricket and plied his trade in T20 leagues around the world. As far as the biopic was concerned, Johar had plans of roping in Siddhant Chaturvedi for the lead role. Chaturvedi had worked alongside Ranveer Singh in ‘Gully Boy’ back in 2019.

Thereafter, he worked in the web-series ‘Inside Edge’ where he enacted the role of a fast bowler, named Prashant Kanojia in his team Mumbai Mavericks. However, Yuvraj wanted an A-list star, preferably Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor, for his biopic.

Yuvraj Singh was clear that his story should have a top A LIST star, sources

“Yuvraj Singh’s life is a roller coaster – right from the highs, lows and his fight with cancer. Hence, Karan was keen on making a biopic. He had multiple meetings with Yuvraj and his team and was on the verge of buying the rights.

“The producer was all set to get the current sensation, Siddhant Chaturvedi on board to play the lead, as his face structure resembles that of Yuvraj,” a source was quoted as saying Bollywood Hungama.

“However, Yuvraj was clear that his story should have a top A LIST star. He suggested two names – Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor – however, Karan felt that the story needed a relatively new face, who could give requisite time for character prep. He also felt that Yuvraj himself was a national icon and his story would do well irrespective of star-cast,” the source added.

Over the last few years, reports of biopics to be made on a number of Indian cricketers have been doing the rounds. Recently, Luv Ranjan announced that he would be producing a biopic on former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly. MS Dhoni– The Untold Story also became a massive hit back in 2016.