Filmmaking may be the greatest love of Shoojit Sircar's life, but football has been as big a passion all along. The director talks about how football has "helped unite the industry"
MIDFIELD: Ranbir Kapoor Tactical awareness with a penchant for attack. Agile with great footwork
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Filmmaking may be the greatest love of Shoojit Sircar's life, but football has been as big a passion all along. Remember how he scored the goal that came off a flamboyant header during the Celebrity Clasico in June? Shoojit, a true blue Bengali, spends Sunday afternoons playing the game with his B-Town friends, including Ranbir Kapoor. We had even heard that the duo would take their love for football to the celluloid.
FLoater: Abhishek Bachchan Holistic knowledge of every position; sound technical know-how
Shoojit, however, laughs off the rumours. "As soon as a director and actor meet, people think a film is cooking. Ranbir, Abhishek (Bachchan) and I bond over a common love for football. This bonding is way better than bonding over films. We practice and play together; there is a strange sense of familial feeling," he says.
MIDFIELD: Aditya Roy Kapur Swift movements, great with dribbles and precise with passes
By his own admission, the Sunday football ritual keeps Shoojit away from negativity and undue pressure. "We all look forward to meeting on the dusty playground where failure of films, break-ups and family woes don't matter. We leave everything behind and wait for 2.30 pm every Sunday when we play football; that's where no one cares who is who. All we care about is team spirit and that ball."
FLoater: Arjun Kapoor Can play at any position; quick at anticipating opponents' moves
Clearly emotional, Shoojit mentions how football has "helped unite the industry". "Winning, losing and playing passes are the most beautiful moments in our lives these days. People forget about stardom when they come together on a common platform."
MIDFIELD CENTER: Kartik Aaryan Relentless stamina and good technical ability; has good defending skills
FORWARD: Shoojit Sircar Ace striker, good at controlling ball; brilliant passing skills