Sachin Tendulkar's biopic: BCCI refuses to give concession to production company for using batsman's footage

BCCI's logic is that since Mahendra Singh Dhoni's business partner Arun Pandey – who was also the producer of his biopic – purchased the visuals, there is no reason why the rules will change for the Mumbai batsman.

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to give a concession to 200 Not Out, the production company behind the film “Sachin: A Billion Dreams”, to use footage related to Master Blaster for his upcoming biopic.

According to a report in The Indian Express, since the copyright of the matches held under the banner of the Indian board are with them, anybody who is willing to use them for commercial purpose has to buy them. The report adds that the BCCI has a rate card for all those who want to use any visuals for commercial purpose.

While 200 Not Out have been told the same, the board has agreed to provide Tendulkar's three minutes and 50 seconds retirement speech at Wankhede Stadium free of cost.

The logic is that since Mahendra Singh Dhoni's business partner Arun Pandey – who was also the producer of his biopic – purchased the visuals, there is no reason why the rules will change for the Mumbai batsman.

“The BCCI has a policy in place. The board didn’t give concession to Dhoni for his biopic then how can board change its rules for Tendulkar’s biopic. After all it’s a commercial movie, which is going to be shown in theaters. Already the trailer that they released has got more than a million hits. The board’s stance was also informed to the Committee of Administrators,” a top BCCI official told The Indian Express.

WATCH | Sachin Tendulkar launches the trailer of his upcoming biopic 'Sachin: A Billion Dreams'

While the BCCI is adamant with its stand, Ravi Bhagchandka, producer of the film and founder of 200 Not Out, said that the negotiations were on with the board.

"Sachin: A Billion Dreams" will see the cricketer in the lead role. The film is directed by James Erskine and produced by Ravi Bhagchandka with a touch of Oscar winning music composer A.R. Rahman.

The movie will hit the theatres on May 26, 2017.