The makers of the upcoming biographical film Dada, based on the life of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, unveiled the first look of actor Rajkummar Rao on Tuesday. While the reveal generated significant buzz online, it also sparked a wave of criticism from social media users, many of whom felt the actor’s appearance bore little resemblance to Ganguly.
Rajkummar Rao, known for his versatility and transformative performances, is seen sporting Ganguly’s iconic hairstyle and wearing the Indian cricket team’s blue jersey in the first-look poster. However, fans quickly took to social media, arguing that the makeup and prosthetics failed to capture the former cricketer’s distinctive facial features and overall personality.
Several users expressed disappointment, with one commenting, “ChatGPT would have done a better job than this makeup team.” Another wrote, “Rajkummar Rao is a brilliant actor, but this look doesn’t resemble Sourav Ganguly at all.” Others suggested that visual effects or more refined prosthetic work could have delivered a more convincing transformation.
Despite the criticism, many fans defended the casting, pointing out that the first-look image alone should not determine expectations for the film. Supporters emphasized Rajkummar Rao’s strong acting credentials and said his performance should be judged after the movie’s release rather than based solely on promotional material.
The biopic, titled Dada, chronicles Sourav Ganguly’s remarkable journey from one of India’s most talented left-handed batters to becoming one of the country’s most influential cricket captains. Ganguly is widely credited with rebuilding Indian cricket in the early 2000s, nurturing a fearless generation of players, and laying the foundation for India’s rise as a global cricket powerhouse.
Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Dada is currently in production and is expected to hit theatres next year. The filmmakers have not yet responded to the online criticism, but the debate surrounding Rajkummar Rao’s transformation has already made the biopic one of the most talked-about upcoming Bollywood releases.
