This week saw the Midlands Premiere of Disney’s ‘Million Dollar Arm’ take place at Birmingham’s Cineworld. The film which is set for release in the UK on 29 August, stars Jon Hamm (Mad Men) Madhur Mittal (Slumdog Millionaire) and Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi).
The premiere was attended by Madhur Mittal who plays Dinesh in the film. Speaking to Pukaar News about his character he said “this is, as far as my career goes, the whitest character that I have had the chance to play yet. He is very hard working, very rooted to his culture, very connected to his family, shy and just a loveable guy”
When asked who he thinks will enjoy the film, he said “this film is for across the board, audiences all over the world, for Indians there is definitely the Indian element that you need to watch, theirs A.R. Rahman’s music and its a true story about these two Indian boys, but for the rest of the world, this is just absolute teat for the senses because you get to see these two different worlds collide and mix and how they affect each other, its great chemistry between the east and the west that you get to see in the film”
Million Dollar Arm is an inspirational and uplifting true story which follows struggling US sports agent JB Bernstein (Jon Hamm), who travels to India in a last ditch effort to save his career by finding a young cricketer to turn into a major sports star. With the help of a cantankerous retired talent scout (Alan Arkin), JB sets up a national contest called “The Million Dollar Arm” and discovers Rinku (played by Life of Pi‘s Suraj Sharma) and Dinesh (Slumdog Millionaire’s Madhur Mittal), two 18-year-old boys who have a knack for throwing a fastball. Hoping to make a quick buck he brings them to LA to train, however the boys, who have never left their rural villages before, struggle as they try to adjust to their new life and cope with the pressure being heaped on them. His livelihood on the line and relationship with the boys at stake, with the help of his friend Brenda (Lake Bell) JB realises that family and friendships are more important than sealing the deal.
Other guests at the red carpet event were upcoming singer Beth Sherburn, who is set to release her debut single with Lil Wayne later this year, English cricketer Laurie Evans, Stereo Nation’s lead singer Taz, Anjli Paul, ITV Central’s Sameena Ali Khan and Bhota Jagpal of B21. Also showing support for the film’s release were local entreprenuers Rai Singh of Pushkar and Helen Dhaliwal of Red Hot World Buffet.
Music: Feelin Good Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
