Seizing life with hockey stick

Manpriya Singh 

When Sandeep Singh was watching Bhaag Milkha Bhaag at a Gurgaon theatre, more than the biopic, there’s something he noticed about the audience. “You remember the scene where Milkha Singh is made to wear spikes. At his slight discomfort with spiked shoes, I saw the audience flinch,” and that’s when the thought struck him back in 2013 when he was sitting in the cinema hall like any other member  of the audience. 

“If people got so affected by his plight, wonder what would they do if they came to know of my story. And see the part where I was shot with a bullet.” That too just two days before the Indian national team was due to leave for the World Cup to be held in Germany. Anyway, the thought remained just that—a thought, till the producers Deepak Singh and Chitrangada Singh initiated a biopic, Soorma, on his life, riddled with encouraging highs and heart-wrenching lows.  Joining him in the run up to the Soorma promotions, due to release on July 13, is his brother Bikramjeet Singh, his mentor, and his ultimate pillar of support. 

The film starring Diljit Dosanjh and Taapsee Pannu sure takes creative liberties but only in the form of songs. “The audience is too smart these days, they will know the reality from exaggeration,” shares the ex-captain of the Indian National Hockey Team, who was almost paralysed and on wheelchair for two years after an accidental gunshot hit him while travelling on Shatabadi Express. It’s a story waiting to be told, not only did he recover from that serious injury, but also established himself again in the Indian team. 

“What kept me going was family support, my faith in God and a strong belief, that this was not how my life was going to end.” 

Diljit…always the first choice 

Once again, he shares an ironical story. “It was while viewing Sardaarji 1 with the entire family that my father remarked, ‘Sandeep he looks just like you.’  

Adds Vikramjeet, “Little did we know that Diljit Dosanjh would actually play the reel life Sandeep.” On second thoughts, adds Sandeep, “I wanted a real Sardar only to play my character.”  

Deal he would love to make…

It is actually a dream that he harbours deep within.  “I am looking at coaching the junior team or may be work at grassroots level training the budding sportspersons. If only I can have an academy of my own with the right infrastructure, I will give this nation world class hockey players.”

While brother Bikramjeet will mentor students in his strong point, that is defending, he will coach the art of drag-flicking. “If they could also make this film  tax free because I want every youngster to see this movie. They tend to give up easily these days.” 

When not on hockey field…

“I love listening to music and peppy upbeat numbers and I quite like Diljit Dosanjh’s songs and not because he is the hero who plays me but even otherwise. 

“While I was recovering and healing I would listen to his album Smile and nowadays my favourite is High End Jattiyan.” Life belongs to those who seize it. 

manpriya@tribunemail.com