The high-stakes cricket kidnapping that triggered a cinematic manhunt
In short: When India's star cricketer vanished 48 hours before a massive match against Pakistan, the world held its breath. What followed was a frantic 36-hour chase through Abu Dhabi, involving undercover agents, cricket bookies, and a hidden camera disguised as a dog's collar.
The 2016 action comedy *Dishoom*, directed by Rohit Dhawan, centers on a high-stakes kidnapping plot set against the backdrop of an intense cricket tournament in the Middle East. The narrative follows the disappearance of Viraj Sharma, a top Indian cricketer, just two days before a highly anticipated final against Pakistan. The crisis escalates when Indian authorities receive a video from an unknown man in a Pakistani jersey, threatening to kill Sharma if the match proceeds.
To manage the political fallout, India's External Affairs Minister, Gayatri Shubha Mishra, dispatches special task force officer Kabir Shergill to the U.A.E. for a 36-hour manhunt. Shergill, a seasoned professional, is paired with Junaid Ansari, an Indo-Emirati rookie officer. Their investigation navigates a complex web of local characters, including a pickpocket named Ishika, a local goon known as Khabri Chacha, and a notorious cricket bookie named Wagah.
The investigation relies on unconventional clues, most notably a GPS tracker hidden within a collar worn by Bradman, a dog Junaid had previously been searching for. The plot eventually reveals that the kidnapping was orchestrated by Wagah, who attempted to bribe the player with 300 million rupees to underplay the match. Despite the film's 'buddy cop' formula and 'predictable storyline,' it achieved moderate box office success, earning ₹119 crore worldwide.
While the film was a commercial venture, it faced censorship challenges, notably being banned by the Pakistan Central Board of Film Censors due to its depiction of an Indian cricketer being kidnapped during an India-Pakistan match.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Dishoom
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-dishoom.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
