Bollywood comes to the hallowed turf of Lord's this summer when the cricket ground screens a hit film about the legendary 1983 World Cup final.
The biopic '83 dramatises India's epic victory - led by the talismanic Kapil Dev - and up to 8,000 people are expected to watch the movie on the pitch where they pulled off a win against favourites the West Indies.
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) hope the maiden 'Sight Screen Cinema' screenings over the weekend of July 15-16, will be the first of similar events to open the historic sports ground to the public in a new way.
Much of the filming for the movie took place at Lord's in the summer of 2019, and cinema goers will immersed in the action by watching from special areas on the outfield of the St John's Wood ground.
There will be picnic blanket or beanbag seating on the turf with the film shown on two screens attached to the stands at the Nursery End. The film scooped several awards for sound and cinematography, and Ranveer Singh, who plays Kapil Dev, was nominated for Best Actor in the Critics' Choice Film Awards in India.
Director Kabir Khan said: “Watching the final of the 1983 cricket World Cup as a young schoolboy, I could never have imagined that more than three and a half decades later I would be recreating that iconic match in the hallowed grounds of Lord’s.
"It was one of the most exciting moments in my filming career and now, in the year of the 40th anniversary of India’s historic win we are getting to screen our film, 83 on the Lord’s turf. I cannot wait to experience the excitement of our film at the Mecca of Cricket.”
Founded in 1787, MCC has led the game for more than 200 years and is recognised as the sole authority on its laws. The trophy that Kepil Dev raised forty years ago, is kept at Lord's.
Andy Muggleton, MCC’s Commercial Director, said: "There is a real wish to welcome more people to Lord’s and open up the Ground to those who might not ordinarily come here. We’re very excited to launch this new venture that brings together film and sport fans for a truly immersive and unforgettable experience in our historic Ground."
Tickets go on sale on March 30 for four screenings of '83 on July 15 and 16. https://www.lords.org/lords-tickets/sight-screen-cinema
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