’83: Saqib Saleem’s “Biggest Validation”

New Delhi:

Saqib Saleem’s performance in Kabir Khan’s 83 impressed former cricketer Mohinder Amarnath so much that the former Vice-Captain of the Indian Cricket team gave him his lucky charm – a red handkerchief. Back in the days, Mohinder Amarnath used to carry a red handkerchief in his pocket as a good luck charm during every match – therefore, handing it over to Saqib Saleem at the screening of 83 on Wednesday was the “biggest validation” for the actor, who has featured in the film as Mohinder Amarnath. Sharing a video of himself getting emotional and hugging Mohinder Amarnath at the grand screening of the film in Mumbai, Saqib Saleem wrote: “The biggest validation I could have asked for. To get the red handkerchief from the legend himself after he saw the film.” In the clip, Mohinder Amarnath can be seen taking out a red handkerchief tucked in his pocket and giving it to Saqib Saleem, after which the actor hugs him again.

In his post, Saqib Saleem also thanked Mohinder Amarnath, called Jimmy Amarnath by his friends and fans, for letting him step into his shoes: “Thank you Jimmy Sir for letting me in your life and thank you to my director Kabir Khan for believing in me that I could be his Jimmy.”

Saqib Saleem’s post is doing the rounds on social media. Take a look:

Mohinder Amarnath, who was the Vice-Captain of the World Cup-winning team in 1983, earned the title of Man of the Match in the finals, as well as in the semi-finals. He was one of the best fast bowlers in Indian cricket team. He took three wickets for 12 runs in the finals against West Indies.

83 stars Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev, under whose captaincy India won the World Cup in 1983, and Deepika Padukone as Kapil Dev’s wife Romi. The other players of the World Cup-winning squad are portrayed by Ammy Virk, Sahil Khattar, Jiiva, Jatin Sarna, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Chirag Patil, Dinker Sharma, Nishant Dahiya, Addinath M Kothare, Dhairya Karwa and R Badree.