“The boxoffice may be saying another story, I am very happy with the  impact,” Maidaan Director  Amit Sharma

Amit Sharma  the director of the impeccable sports  film Maidaan  says he  is deluged  by extreme compliments from people  all across the spectrum of society. “Sir,if I show  you the messages , you will be so proud  of  the film.And, shall I tell you something  without sounding arrogant, I am not  counting the footfalls . I am looking at the impact  Maidaan  has made. Just the other day, I got a message from a 60-year  old theatre and movie  actress Swaroopa  Ghosh  who had graduated  from NSD  and has been struggling since then. She told me  she had  decided to go back to her hometown.She saw Maidaan, and decided to stay back  in Mumbai. The  film’s theme—never  give up—has hit home  with so many, I don’t feel  my film has under-performed. The boxoffice  may be saying another story. I am very happy with the  impact. I hadn’t received so many messages even when  my  first film Badhaai Ho  had released.People  are saying Maidaan has  changed their  attitude  to their lives. What  more can a filmmaker ask for?”

 Amit is certain  Maidaan is destined to be known among the film that made a difference to people’s mindset. “Some time back we  screened  the film for  the specially abled children.  I quietly sneaked in to watch the film with them. Sir, I can’t describe they way they were responding to  what they were seeing.They were clapping and  cheering , and when the matches were  bring  played on screen, they were literally out of their seats  as if  they were watching the matches live. During intermission , my team members let  out that  the film’s director was in the theatre…Usske  baad jo hua woh main bataa nahin sakta… I was  treated  like  a star.”

Amit  generously gives a credit to Maidaan’s  leading man for the  film’s success. “The film wouldn’t be what it is without him. Ajay Sir says  Maidaan  is his best film and  performance.I can’t tell you how proud it makes me feel. If only Covid had  not  played the villain, Maidaan  wouldn’t have gone over-budgeted. Plus, we had  the cyclone,a whole set  and schedule were wiped  out. Then those expensive matches with  real footballers  from all over the world.All this took time money and effort. But you know what, Sir? All the mehnat and delays were worth  it. When I see how Maidaan has motivated people I am convinced I am on the right track. I will only make the  films that I  believe in.”