Checkout the real story behind the Virat Kohli Saiyaara connection
Bollywood filmmaker Mohit Suri recently revealed that his upcoming movie Saiyaara pays a special tribute to cricket legend Virat Kohli. The film’s central character, Kirish Kapoor—played by newcomer Ahaan Panday—was shaped by an early and unforgettable interaction Suri had with a young Kohli, years before the cricketer rose to international fame. Recounting the moment, Suri said he first saw Kohli at a nightclub during the early 2000s, when the cricketer was still far from being a household name. What caught Suri’s attention wasn’t just Kohli’s presence, but his fierce self-belief.
The director recalled overhearing Kohli confidently telling someone that he would one day become the biggest name in world cricket. That moment of ambition and self-assurance left a lasting impression on Suri. When it came time to create the character of Kirish Kapoor in Saiyaara, Suri drew heavily from that memory. He envisioned a young man with raw determination, laser focus, and a hunger to prove himself—much like the Kohli he had seen that night. According to Suri, Kirish is not a cricketer in the film, but his drive and attitude mirror the qualities that define Kohli. Through this character, Saiyaara quietly honors one of India’s greatest sports icons.
"I remember seeing Virat Kohli once when he was like a newcomer in a nightclub, I think. And I remember him once saying, 'You see, I'm going to be the biggest cricketer', overheard him saying it to some people. And he was a newcomer that time," said Mohit Suri on The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra.
"He's younger than me, so I've seen that and he's had his ups, and the glorious career that he's had. But he's had his downs also. And then he comes back after over a thousand days and scores a century again," he added.
Mohit Suri, the director of Saiyaara, didn’t hold back in praising Virat Kohli, calling the former Indian captain a true legend. Suri admitted to being a long-time admirer of Kohli—not just for his cricketing brilliance, but for his unmatched passion, discipline, and ability to rise to any occasion. The filmmaker revealed that he has followed Kohli’s journey closely and considers him one of the most inspiring public figures in India.
During the making of Saiyaara, Suri said he often used Kohli’s story as a reference point, especially when guiding Ahaan Panday through the emotional arc of his character, Kirish Kapoor. He explained how Kohli’s unwavering focus and mental toughness served as a powerful analogy in scenes that required grit, ambition, and inner conflict. Suri wanted Ahaan to understand that greatness doesn’t come overnight—it’s built on self-belief, resilience, and the will to outwork everyone else.
According to Suri, Kohli’s life embodies all of those elements, making him an ideal muse for a character who dreams big and refuses to give up. The filmmaker also said that Kohli’s ability to stay grounded despite global fame is something he deeply respects—and something he tried to channel into Saiyaara’s emotional tone.
"So I just wanted this analogy to make music, not by just making a hit, not just scoring a century, but by giving something back to music like how Virat has. So, all power to him man. I'm a Virat Kohli fan," Suri concluded.
