Film on Jhulan and Co celebrates the spirit of Indian women's cricket

In these cynical times for women's sport rocked by a sex scandal as hockey coach M K Kaushik stands accused of sexual harassment, there is a ray of light slicing through the thunderclouds. Ghatkopar-born Sunil Yash Kalra, who, "lapses into typical Bambaiyaa phrases in times of intense stress," is ready with a 25-minute docudrama on Indian women cricketers called, 'Poor cousins of million dollar babies'.


Jhulan Goswami (standing second from left) during a Holi celebration
with the Indian women's team

Kalra says, "Do not be misled by the title of the film. It is not a long whine about how the men are paid almost 10 times more than women cricketers for a match. It is a celebration of women's cricket and women's sport in general, with the underlying message: 'pride over plight'."

Kalra's film has everything -- from footage of real life matches -- to off-the-pitch camaraderie and even offers a glimpse into the childhood of stars like current India women's captain Jhulan Goswami. The tall, sinewy, Jhulan, the world's fastest female bowler, was ribbed by the boys in her neighbourhood in a small town called Chakda, 80 km from Kolkata.

It was typical Sunil says, "an attitude of, 'chalo ladki hai, chakka maarenge' (a girl is bowling, hit her for a six). Jhulan even then showed these boys how to play, whacking them for sixes all over the ground and bowling very fast. The film portrays the fierce determination that exists then and now too."

Singer, Tulsi Kumar has donated her track, Kudi Punjaban in the movie.

Anjum Chopra, former India skipper currently in the team, elaborates saying, "it is a real-life Chak De. It is very well researched as it has all aspects of the tour -- from footage on the team bus to international matches."
Currently, he (Kalra) wants to take it to film festivals, but it would be great if the docudrama got wider play. It is a real celebration of the game which is our life."

The director and players agree that it would be ambitious to say that the movie would transform women's cricket but it is yet another brave, away-from-the-beaten-path effort in the nascent genre of sports movies in India.

Quick Takes
Name: Poor Cousins of Million Dollar Babies
What: Docudrama on women's cricket
Duration: 25 minutes
Shown: At some film festivals
Purpose: To create awareness; celebrate women's sport