Kanaa, Jeeva & more - With Blue Star release around the corner, here are 5 cricket-based Tamil films you can revisit on OTT

Cricket has been the heartbeat of many across the world, and is nothing short of being observed as a religion in India. As much as cricketers and cricket sporting events are received with much love, so are the films that are based on the sport. With Blue Star, a cricket-based sports drama, hitting the theatres this week, here are the five interesting Tamil films that are based on cricket which you can stream on your home screens. 

Chennai 600028

Easily a classic film in Tamil sports films, Chennai 600028 is a cricket-based drama directed by Venkat Prabhu. The film features some of the director's regulars like Jai, Shiva, Premji, Aravind Akash, Nithin Sathya, and Vijayalakshmi. The film is about street cricket which is very rampant in India, and revolves around the rivalry between two teams. Following the massive success of the film, a sequel, Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings was released in 2016.

Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

Jeeva

Jeeva, starring Vishnu Vishal in the lead role, is a sports drama featuring a protagonist who is an aspiring cricket player. The film traverses through the various stages of hardships and politics that get on the way of the hero's journey to achieve his dream. Directed by Suseethiran, the film also stars Soori, Sri Divya, and others. Composed by D Imman, the film's soundtrack was a hit at the time of its release.

Also read: Blue Star trailer - Ashok Selvan, Shanthnu are at loggerheads as they pursue their cricket dream | Watch highlights here 

Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

Kanaa

While many films feature male protagonists as cricketers, the Aishwarya Rajesh-starrer Kanaa took a different route to show a woman's struggle to achieve in the field. Kanaa marks the directorial debut of filmmaker Arunraja Kamaraj and was backed by Sivakarthikeyan's home banner Sivakarthikeyan Productions. While Aishwarya was lauded for portraying the hardships women face in sports, Kanaa also starred Sathyaraj, Darshan, Ilavarasu, among others.

Also read: Blue Star - Ashok Selvan and Shanthanu groove to the peppy rivalry number in ‘Arakkonam Style’ 

Where to watch: Sony LIV

Dhoni

Taking its name after famous cricket player MS Dhoni, this Tamil film revolves around a lower-middle-class widower who has a cricket enthusiast as his son. Not interested in studies and wanting to be a cricketer, the son looks up to MS Dhoni and representing the country. Besides starring, Prakash Raj has also directed the film and co-wrote along with TJ Gnanavel. Dhoni is based on the Marathi film Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho by Mahesh Manjrekar, and also stars Radhika Apte, Nassar, and Sarath Babu among others.

Also read: Before Lal Salaam and Blue Star hit the field, here are 5 Tamil sports dramas that will leave you cheering on OTT 

Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

800

800 is a biopic on Sri Lankan cricket player Muttiah Muralidharan, the highest wicket-taker in the history of cricket. Written and directed by MS Sripathy, Madhur Mittal of Slumdog Millionaire fame, portrays the role of Muttiah. Mahima Nambiar, Nassar, Vela Ramamoorty, Vadivukkarasi, Narain, and others are also part of the cast. 800 shows the various struggles that the cricketer had to go through in his life, from being called for chucking and the controversy he was mired with while being an ethnic Tamil playing for Sri Lanka.

Where to watch: Jio Cinema, Prime Video

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