Netflix’s Selection Day, an adaptation of Aravind Adiga’s novel has been co-produced by Anil Kapoor and Karan Boolani. The two of them spoke to The Quint about their foray into digital content, their love for cricket and the universality of the story.
The show traces the story of two young boys - Manju and Radha who move to Mumbai on the insistence of their disciplinarian father to fulfil his dream of them becoming cricketers and clearing the Under 19 selection day.
When asked about what attracted them to the show, Anil said, “I don’t remember a show or film which looked at the equation between a father and his two sons. Also I’m a huge cricket buff and have been playing it since my childhood.”
Anil is also very happy with the entry of Netflix and Amazon. He said, “I feel like it is a great time for all actors, technicians, storytellers, it’s fantastic and especially for the consumers. Everything will become better and better and it gives the talent the global stage.”
Movies and shows often receive flak when adapted from books, with fans being disappointed with the adaptation, but Karan Boolani isn’t worried. He said, “Yeah but I think cricket may be a backdrop in the story but it’s the larger universal themes of father-son and of two siblings and of love and ambition, it’s a coming-of-age story and those are the stronger themes that I feel are universal and I hope will connect with people all around the world.”
Selection Day stars Mahesh Manjrekar, Ratna Pathak Shah, Rajesh Tailang, Mohammad Samad and Yash Dholye, and will be streaming worldwide on Netflix on 28 December.
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