Prithipal Singh…a story: A True Tribute to an Olympic Champion

By 121 News

Chandigarh 28^th October:- Prithipal Singh…a Story is a befitting tribute to the hockey legend, who was a top scorer in three Olympics. The movie which releases this Friday has been directed by Babita Puri, a 40 year old film maker based in Chandigarh and Toronto and co-produced by Sundeep Misra.

 It's the story of an Olympic champion. Of a player who won a gold (1964 Tokyo), silver (1960 Rome) and a bronze (1968 Mexico). It's the story of a man who crossed the border in 1947, a witness to the carnage, of making a new home, and with his skills becoming a legend in Indian sport. It's also the story of a man who took on authority for what he felt was right. He was gunned down in front of the Vice-Chancellors office with more than 45 eye-witnesses. None of the eyewitnesses testified and today the very people who killed Prithipal are free. They live without fear of being caught. 

Prithipal the hockey legend and winner of an Olympic gold, silver and bronze is remembered more for the way he died than for his legendary exploits on the field or the gold that he won one afternoon in Tokyo. It's also the story of a man we have forgotten. It's time we told it.

Played brilliantly by Vikas Kumar, for whom this is a debut, he has brought Prithipal alive on screen. In a sense, the film - Prithipal Singh...a story - is a tribute to him. It's a factual piece of cinema. Inspired by his life, the film is a cinematic expression of what Prithipal was, as a player and as a human being.

Vikas Kumar who had a prominent role in the super-hit series CID and is now recognized as one of the best acting coaches in Mumbai, said about his role in the film that he is fortunate, grateful and proud that he was chosen to portray Prithipal Singh; a man who lived by his principles and probably lost his life for the same. He had an instant connect with the character (on many levels), and knew that he would have to portray it with a lot of responsibility.

Talking about his research on Prithipal Singh, Sundeep Misra, Co-producer of the movie said that sometimes characters just jump out of history. And sometimes you need to dig them out. It required some thinking and digging deep to bring out Prithipal and present him again. Not with an allure that is common to cinema. But quite simply as he was - great player and a man who refused to bend. Sometimes, it's good not to distort history. In Prithipal Singh...a story, we didn't dare do that.