Director Kabir Khan will be joined on the red carpet by Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone and cricket legend Kapil Dev.
Bollywood film 83, directed by Indian filmmaker Kabir Khan, will have its world premiere at the upcoming Red Sea International Film Festival, which will take place from December 16-15 in Jeddah.
The film presented by Reliance Entertainment, Phantom Films and Kabir Khan Films, will have its premiere at the festival’s public closing on December 15, ahead of its release across the Gulf region on December 23 and worldwide release on 24 December.
83 tells the true story of the Indian cricketer Kapil Dev, played by Ranveer Singh, who led the Indian cricket team to its first World Cup victory in 1983 at the hallowed Lord’s Cricket Ground in London against the West Indies, regarded at the time as invincible. A generation of Indian children were inspired to take up the game and, more broadly, to aim high in life, as the anniversary is still celebrated, 38 years on.
The premiere of the star-studded film will be attended by cast and crew, including the film’s director Kabir Khan (Ek Tha Tiger), Deepika Padukone (Padmaavat), and captain of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, Kapil Dev, along with Mohinder ‘Jimmy’ Amarnath (Vice-captain and man of the match – finals) and Srikkanth (opening batsman) providing a sensational send off to the Festival’s inaugural edition.
Kabir Khan said: “I’m beyond excited to unveil 83 at the Red Sea International Film Festival, the opening of cinemas in Saudi Arabia is a fantastic opportunity for filmmakers in India and across the world. To go on this journey, and to bring the story to screen with legends, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and cricket icon Kapil Dev was like winning the world cup for me.”
Edouard Waintrop, Artistic Director of the RedSeaIFF added: “83 is such a monumental film that will capture the public imagination, in Jeddah and across the world. A true celebration of one of the greatest underdog stories in international sporting history, it continues to inspire generations of young people, and the incredible Hindi-language film is sure to do the same. We are thrilled to host the cast and crew, as well sporting icon Kapil Dev at the Red Sea International Film Festival for one of the most anticipated films of the year.”
