Kabir Khan’s 83 to be premiered on 15 December at Red Sea festival in Saudi Arabia

The keenly awaited sports drama 83 (2021) will have its world premiere on 15 December at the upcoming Red Sea International Film Festival, which begins on 6 December. Directed by Kabir Khan, the feature will close the Saudi Arabian festival.

The news was first reported by Hollywood news portal Deadline.com. Khan, India's former World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev and star Deepika Padukone, who plays Kapil Dev’s wife Romi in the film, are all due to attend the premiere. Kapil Dev’s former teammates Mohinder Amarnath and K Srikkanth are also expected to attend.

Ranveer Singh leads an ensemble cast that recreates India’s stunning World Cup victory in 1983 in England, beating the mighty West Indies in the final. The film also stars Tahir Raj Bhasin, Jiiva, Saqib Saleem, Harrdy Sandhu, Ammy Virk, Pankaj Tripathi, Boman Irani, Nishant Dahiya and Sahil Khattar.

Khan told Deadline, “I’m beyond excited to unveil 83 at the Red Sea International Film Festival. The opening of cinemas in Saudi Arabia is a fantastic opportunity for filmmakers in India and across the world. To go on this journey, and to bring the story to screen with legends Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and cricket icon Kapil Dev was like winning the World Cup for me.”

Presented by Reliance Entertainment, Phantom Films and Kabir Khan Films, 83 will be released in the Gulf region on 23 December and globally a day later.