KOLKATA: Director-cum-producer Shoojit Sircar is all set to make a movie on the life of Sibdas Bhaduri, the man who successfully led Indians against British footballers in 1911. The director has cast John Abraham in the lead role of the period piece ‘1911’ that focuses on Bhaduri, the then captain of Mohun Bagan that won the IFA Shield.

It should be noted that John, a sports fanatic, had earlier played a footballer in 2007 film ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal.’ The pre-production of ‘1911’ has started. “John will essay Bhaduri’s character in the film which will be entirely shot in the Kolkata Maidan area,” said Sircar.

“John is working on the character by reading details on the pre-Independence era football legend,” he added. Bhaduri and his dhoti-clad team had defeated the East Yorkshire Regiment in the IFA Shield final in 1911.

“It will be a sports film with patriotic fervor like the 2007 hit ‘Chak De India’,” said Sircar. “I will do everything to retain authenticity of the period,” said Sircar who has also encouraged John to buy I-league team Lajong FC, besides the Guwahati franchise of ISL.