Kapil Dev says Deepika Padukone as Romi Bhatia in 83 trailer got ‘mixed’ reactions from his family

The trailer for Ranveer Singh’s 83 was launched earlier this week. Based on Team India’s first World Cup win in 1983, the film is directed by Kabir Khan and stars Ranveer as cricketer Kapil Dev.

The star-studded cast also includes Pankaj Tripathi, Boman Irani, Hardy Sandhu, Ammy Virk and even Deepika Padukone as Kapil’s wife Romi Bhatia. The trailer showed a few glimpses at Deepika’s role in the movie as well, as she supports Kapil through moments of turmoil and even through victories. 

Post the trailer’s release, Kapil was asked his family’s reaction to watching Deepika playing Romi in the movie. Speaking to The Quint, he said that the family has ‘mixed’ reactions. “I think mixed because I don’t know how much the role of my wife is in 83, so one does not realise that what they are trying to do there,” he said. Kapil also called Ranveer a ‘great actor’ and seemed impressed by his work in the movie.

Speaking to Neha Dhupia on her chat show, director Kabir Khan had revealed how Ranveer met Kapil and his family in Delhi to prepare for the role. “Romiji (Kapil’s wife Roni) and Kapil Dev are just the most gracious hosts, They would always say, ‘our house is always open for you’. A lot of people say that and I don’t think you are supposed to take that seriously. But Ranveer and I just landed there. It was fabulous to be able to trail Kapil Dev everywhere. I remember when Ranveer Singh went like, ‘sir, hum beth jayenge, aap meeting kariye (we will wait, please continue with your meetings), we’ll be fly on the wall’. He said, Ranveer Singh mere kamre mein betha hai toh koi fly on the wall nahi hone wala. Like, koi meeting nahi hogi (How can meetings take place here when Ranveer Singh is sitting in my room?)”

Also read: Harrdy Sandhu: There is a bit of disappointment due to the delay of ‘83

Ranveer had earlier told Hindustan Times in an interview, “Kapil sir and his family are very warm, kind and generous people. I’ll be ever grateful to them for being so magnanimous in helping me during this unique character study. Their large-heartedness was touching… something I’ll never forget. They’ve blessed me.”

83 will land in theatres on December 24. It has been delayed by almost two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was first supposed to release in summer of 2020.