Muttiah Muralitharan Biopic: First look of '800 The Movie' released on former Cricketer's 51st birthday

Muttiah Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker in international cricket with 800 Test and 534 ODI scalps.

Makers of the upcoming film 800, which is a biopic on Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan, on Monday, unveiled the first look poster of the film on the spin legend’s 51st birthday. Slumdog Millionaire fame actor Madhurr Mittal will essay the role of Muralitharan, which was earlier to be played by actor Vijay Sethupathi.

800 is the reference to the world record held by Muttiah Muralitharan as it is the number of wickets he took in Test cricket and is the only bowler to date to reach that milestone, which he achieved in his final Test against India in 2010.

Incidentally, Muralitharan also holds the record for most wickets in ODIs as well, with 534 scalps to his name, and is one of the only two bowlers to go past the 500-wicket mark, the other being Wasim Akram who was the first to reach the milestone and finished with 502 scalps.  

Earlier, in 2020, the makers had announced the movie with Vijay Sethupathi in the lead. However, following the huge outrage by Tamil nationalists and a section of film personalities and politicians in Tamil Nadu, the actor decided to opt out of the biopic.

The controversy was that Muralitharan is believed to have supported the Lankan government during the civil war with the LTTE.

Slumdog Millionaire’s Madhurr Mittal to helm the role of Muttiah Muralitharan

Three years later, the makers have brought on actor Madhurr Mittal, best known for his role as Salim Malik in Slumdog Millionaire, to take up the lead role in the movie which will be directed by MS Sripathy.

The movie is scheduled to release in cinemas in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.

The official Twitter page of Sony Music South posted the first look poster of the film and wrote, “The untold story of a legend who spun his way to the top. Starring #MadhurrMittal as #MuthiahMuralidaran, #800MotionPoster”.

The producers of the movie, Movie Train Motion Pictures posted: "We are proud to bring you his story beyond the twists & turns across 22 yards. #HappyBirthdayMuralidaran Presenting 800, the official bio-pic of #MuthiahMuralidaran starring #MadhurrMittal Directed by #MSSripathy"

The film also stars Narain, Nasser, Vela Ramamurty, Riythvika, Vadivukkarasi, Arul Doss, Hari Krishnan, Yog Japyee and Sharath Lohitashwa in important roles. The film’s shooting is completed, and it has been shot across Sri Lanka, Chennai, Cochin, England, and Australia.