Recalling the achievements of former spin legend Muthiah Muralidaran, ex-Indian batsman VVS Laxman said that Muthiah’s heroics on the field and his entire life are an inspiration.
“Not only his achievements on the cricket field, his entire life is an inspiration. From childhood to retirement, he continues to inspire fans and aspiring crickets across the globe,” Laxman said during the pre-release event of 800 — the film based on the life and career of the spin legend — held in Hyderabad on Monday, 25 September.
Starring Madhurr Mittal as Muralidaran and Mahima Nambiar as Madimalar, the Tamil biographical sports drama is directed by MS Sripathy.
It will simultaneously be released on October 6 in Hindi and Telugu languages. Train Motion Pictures is producing the movie.
Sivalenka Krishna Prasad of Sridevi Movies acquired the all-India theatrical rights of the biopic.
VVS Laxman, who attended the pre-release event of 800 as the chief guest, recalled his fond memories of playing and travelling with Muthiah Muralidaran during his active days of cricket.
“Everyone knows Muralidaran is a great cricketer; a man with a great heart. I personally know him as a great human being. I’m lucky to have a friend like him. None could breathe and consume cricket as much as Muralidaran can,” said Laxman, sharing his association with the spinner while playing county cricket for Lancashire in England.
Muralidaran recalled that he first spotted VVS Laxman practising cricket in the nets of Cuttack stadium in 1998.
“Laxman was quite young then. He surprised everyone with his wide range of shots. Not many crickets know how to play against spin. But Laxman mastered it. We have worked together for many days in the team of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Even though we played for different countries, cricket is not about records. It’s about making friends! Hyderabad and VVS both are always special for me,” he said.
“It’s not only about what he achieved on the cricket field; his entire life is an inspiration.”
-Former Cricketer @VVSLaxman281 Speech @ #800TheMovie Grand Pre-Release Event🤩
▶️https://t.co/o2iViHTB3Q@Murali_800 @GhibranVaibodha @Mahima_Nambiar @RDRajasekar @Cinemainmygenes… pic.twitter.com/ltLpo6yRWn
— Shreyas Media (@shreyasgroup) September 25, 2023
Related: The unit of ‘800’ braved riots in Sri Lanka to finish the shoot, says Muthiah Muralidaran
Hyderabadi Dum Biryani on flight
Muralidaran said the good thing about Hyderabad was it’s incredible love for Biryani. He also recollected how VVS arranged a plateful of Hyderabadi Dum Biryani on the flight when they were passing through the city to another venue in the past.
“We’re on the way to a venue, happened to pass via Hyderabad. And I jokingly asked if I could get lip-smacking biryani from the city. Laxman arranged it within half an hour in our seats. That’s Laxman,” he smiled.
When asked who would he choose if he had to form a cricket team with Indian celebrities, Muralidaran quipped, ”Venkatesh Daggubati should be the captain because he likes cricket very much. He never misses a Sunrisers Hyderabad match!”
