Still not over the ICC World Cup? Watch these 5 Bollywood Cricket films 

India’s most recent cricket victory is still fresh in everyone’s mind. The country burst with joy when India defeated New Zealand by a huge margin in the finals of the ICC T20 World Cup. Now, everywhere you go, there is an ongoing frisson of excitement about cricket.  

If, however, you still have not recovered from the excitement of cricket and want to feel that same rush once again, you can do so through some fantastic Bollywood movies showcasing everything that makes cricket so exciting, including the emotion, the drama, and the spirit behind it. 

Here are five Bollywood films to watch if the World Cup fever still hasn’t left you. 

Lagaan (2001) 

One movie that truly made cricket synonymous with Bollywood is Lagaan. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and starring Aamir Khan, this film encapsulates history and sport through emotional cinematography. Based in Victorian India, the plot revolves around a bunch of villagers who have to come together to play a cricket game against British officers in order to stop having to pay exorbitant taxes. In addition to the significance of the match itself, Lagaan is meaningful because of how the villagers learn about cricket, work through conflicts, and support each other to stand up against the British. 

83 (2021) 

Kabir Khan’s 83 revisits the 1983 Cricket World Cup from the perspective of India as a team that had been written off by everyone in the cricketing world, but came back to unite through their play and achieve a historic victory over the legendary West Indies team of the 80s. It tells the story of how India changed the world of cricket with one game and will have you reminiscing about all of your greatest cricketing victories. 

M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)

Another classic film about cricket is M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, starring Sushant Singh Rajput. This film captures the story of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s journey from humble beginnings in Ranchi, India, to leading India as one of the most successful cricket captains in history. You will see the emotional side to Dhoni through the story, including his trials and tribulations, and his many sacrifices along the way to success. This film gives insight into the man and what has made him the person he is today, including how he became known for the helicopter shot, and therefore will become one of the most loved cricket films ever produced in Bollywood. 

Iqbal (2005) 

As one of the most heartwarming sports films in Bollywood, Iqbal is fast becoming an iconic figure for its plot, featuring a deaf and mute man who aspires to compete for the cricket teams of the country.  

Director Nagesh Kukunoor has brought to life the journey of Shreyas Talpade, who plays Iqbal, from his small village to the world of professional cricket and all the roadblocks he faced along the way before fully realizing his dreams. The progression in Iqbal’s journey is assisted by his reluctant coach (played by Naseeruddin Shah), and in the end, he was able to turn his passion and drive into a successful cricket career. Iqbal highlights that when someone is passionate and driven, they can break through all obstacles that may be placed before them on their journey to achieving their goals. 

Kai Po Che! (2013) 

Cricket is a major theme throughout Kai Po Che!, which is primarily a film about coming of age, friendship, ambition, and the unpredictable nature of life. Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, the film stars Rajkummar Rao, Amit Sadh, and Sushant Singh Rajput.  

The storyline follows the friendship of three young men as they open a cricket academy and train a young up-and-coming cricket prodigy. Even though cricket is found in the fabric of each character’s story, the film also incorporates and ultimately weaves together their friendships, issues with politics, their personal ambitions, etc. This combination of emotional storytelling and raw performances makes Kai Po Che! one of the best cricket-based films from the past decade. 

So, if the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup excitement still hasn’t left you, these films are the perfect way to keep the cricket fever alive a little longer. Because in India, cricket isn’t just watched, it’s felt.