Punjabi film on heavyweight boxing champion Kaur Singh to be released on 8 July

The release date for the Punjabi-language biopic of Kaur Singh, the boxer who once fought the legendary Muhammad Ali, has been announced. Kaur Singh also represented India at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

In 1980, Kaur Singh participated in an exhibition match against Muhammad Ali in New Delhi, making him the only Indian to face the world champion in the boxing ring.

Kaur Singh won the gold medal in the heavyweight category (81 kg) at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1983. However, despite all his achievements, the pugilist led a life of obscurity thereafter.

A news report on The Times of India newspaper's website in 2016 stated that though Kaur Singh had done the country proud with his achievements, he was yet to receive the prize money of Rs1 lakh announced by the Punjab government back in 1984!

Munish Sahni, owner and managing director at Omjee Group, shared a poster for the film titled Padma Shri Kaur Singh on Instagram, writing, “Based on true events, Padma Shri Kaur Singh releasing in cinemas 8th July 2022.”

The graphic poster features an image of the gold medal Kaur Singh had won at Asiad '82 burning, which suggests that the movie will shed light on the plights of sportspeople in the country who go unrecognized and are soon forgotten by the sports and government authorities despite bringing glory to the country.

Written and directed by Vikram Pradhan, the film features Karam Batth in his debut role, along with actors Prabh Grewal, Raj Kakra, Seema Kaushal and Malkeet Rauni. The music is by Jatinder Shah and lyrics by Raj Kakra.