Filmmaker Amit Ravindernath Sharma embarked on a unique journey when he cast Ajay Devgn as the lead in the upcoming sports drama Maidaan, a biopic centered on the life of football coach Syed Abdul Rahim. Despite initial reservations stemming from Devgn’s iconic action-packed roles, Sharma soon realized that Devgn was the perfect choice to portray Rahim’s emotional journey.

Syed Abdul Rahim, renowned as the coach of the Indian football team during the golden era of Indian football from 1952 to 1962, serves as the central figure in Maidaan. Following his National Award-winning comedy Badhaai Ho, Sharma aims to depict Rahim’s inspirational story, and he firmly believes that no one but Ajay Devgn could have brought the character to life with such depth.

Despite his reputation as an action hero, Devgn embraced the challenge of portraying a character as nuanced as Syed Abdul Rahim. Sharma was struck by Devgn’s commitment to the role, noting how the actor left his stardom outside the set and fully immersed himself in Rahim’s persona during filming. Devgn’s dedication to the character shines through, promising viewers an unforgettable performance that transcends his previous roles.

Reflecting on their collaboration, Sharma recalled a pivotal moment when Devgn asked him, “Who is Syed for you?” This question sparked a transformative conversation, leading Sharma to narrate his vision of the character to Devgn. Through this exchange, Devgn’s portrayal of Syed Abdul Rahim evolved into a testament to his versatility as an actor, far beyond the confines of his action-packed image.

As Maidaan prepares to unveil a lesser-known chapter of Indian football history through Rahim’s remarkable journey, Ajay Devgn’s portrayal stands as a defining aspect of the film. His remarkable transformation from Singham to Syed Abdul Rahim underscores his ability to embody diverse characters and breathe life into compelling narratives on the silver screen.