The extraordinary feats of the world’s oldest marathon runner Sikh Superman Fauja Singh are to be immortalised in a biopic produced in his native India
Fauja Singh, 109, who broke marathon records and was dubbed the “Sikh Superman” before hanging up his running shoes six years ago, will be the subject of a Bollywood film, Fauja, tracing his remarkable career.
The life of Fauja Singh, the oldest marathon runner in the world, will be told in a Bollywood film.
The biopic on the ‘Sikh Superman’, titled Fauja will be directed by Omung Kumar. He will also produce it alongside Kunal Shivdasani and Raaj Shaandilya.
Omung is best known for Mary Kom, which starred Priyanka Chopra and won a National Film Award in 2014 for ‘Best Popular Film’. He also directed Sarbjit.
According to Deadline, Fauja will tell the story of how 109-year-old Fauja Singh shocked the world by breaking a number of records in multiple age brackets as a marathon runner.
Singh made his London marathon debut in 2000 at the age of 89. He has gone on to complete the famed marathon six times.
He has also completed marathons in New York and in Toronto twice.
The film’s screenplay is being adapted from his biography Turbaned Tornado, which was written by Khushwant Singh.
Vipul Mehta, who is known for the Gujarati film Carry on Kesar, has written the film’s script.
On the film, Omung said: “The story of Fauja Singh depicts the insurmountable odds stacked against him and what sheer power of will can make of someone who is challenged medically, by age and by society.”
Kunal added: “It is a beautiful story about a man whose life takes him on an epic journey making him a world icon as he discovers his passion for running marathons; eventually that guided him to make an impact on the world by bringing about a change to humanity.
“Omung is a dear friend and we share the same vision for the film, he has helmed Sarbjit and Mary Kom – two of the best and most successful biopics in the country and so having him chair the director’s role for this film was a unanimous decision.
“Our film intends to make the amazing journey of Fauja Singh personal to everyone watching it.”
Raaj said: “Fauja Singh is the real king and we are all honored to present his story in the form of a cinematic experience for the Indian diaspora world over.
“This story takes us on a journey through time and makes the realization of what our grandparents have been through hit home.
“It is a film that promises an instant connect.”
posted Thursday February 4th
by Hugh Tomlinson