"Dada" First Look Featuring Rajkummar Rao as Ganguly Draws Criticism

The first-look poster of Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story has drawn widespread criticism on social media, with several users questioning Rajkummar Rao's appearance as former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly. The poster was unveiled on Ganguly's 54th birthday and offered the first glimpse of Rao in the lead role. It also confirmed that the much-awaited biographical film is scheduled for a theatrical release in 2027.

The poster recreates Ganguly's iconic shirt-waving celebration at Lord's following India's victory over England in the 2002 NatWest Trophy final. The moment remains one of the most memorable images in Indian cricket history and was expected to generate excitement around the film. However, the first look quickly became a major talking point online, with much of the discussion focusing on the design and Rao's resemblance to the former captain.

Several social media users described the poster as looking "AI-generated", "photoshopped" or "fan-made", while some compared its design to a Canva template. Critics said the visual effects appeared unnatural and argued that the image failed to capture the emotion and intensity associated with Ganguly's original celebration. Others said they struggled to recognise Rao as the former India captain in the poster.

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The casting also became a subject of debate, with some users describing Rao as a possible miscast for the role. Several fans questioned whether the actor physically resembled Ganguly, while others joked that he looked more like another cricketer. The criticism reflected the high expectations surrounding a film based on one of India's most successful and influential cricket captains.

Some fans said they had expected a stronger first impression because the film is being directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. A section of users urged the makers to redesign the poster before the film's release, arguing that an iconic moment from Indian cricket deserved a more authentic recreation. Others expressed disappointment that the first promotional image did not reflect the intensity and personality widely associated with Ganguly.

Despite the negative reactions to the poster, the announcement has renewed attention around the long-awaited biopic and Rao's portrayal of Ganguly. The film is expected to explore the former captain's life and cricketing journey, although further details about the story and supporting cast remain limited. With the theatrical release scheduled for 2027, future promotional material will be closely watched as the makers seek to build anticipation for the project.

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