The actor-comedian will be part of Stampede Ventures’ biopic on Canadian businessman and ardent follower of Toronto Raptors basketball team, Nav Bhati
Actor-comedian Kal Penn is set to produce and star in Stampede Ventures’ biopic on Canadian businessman and ardent follower of Toronto Raptors basketball team, Nav Bhatia.
Bhatia, who has supported the sport and team for decades, became the first fan to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame last year.
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In the film, titled “Superfan”, Penn will play a Toronto man whose loyalty to the Raptors earned him a championship ring. Bhatia also leads the team’s championship parade in 2019.
According to Deadline, Stampede Ventures’ Greg Silverman and Jon Berg bought the rights to Bhatia’s life story and will produce the biopic with Penn and Dan Spilo of Industry Entertainment.
Rinku Ghee of Yellow Mango Films will serve as the executive producer.
The producers are currently looking for a writer and director to join the project.
Bhatia moved from India to Toronto in 1984 and established himself as one of the most prolific car salesman and dealership owner across Canada.
He fell in love with basketball and has never missed the Raptors’ home game until now. Bhatia also engages underprivileged children across the country in Raptors Games. He funds and organizes once a year the Baisakhi halftime show at Raptors Court in April.
“I am speechless. It is a dream to have the opportunity to continue my story with such respected producers. Then to find out that Kal Penn has been brought in to play for me is even more surreal,” Bhatia said.
“It’s not something I can’t even dream of. He’s one of my favorite actors and it’s an added bonus to know that he also likes basketball. I use all my tricks of the trade to distract the opposing players.” I will teach,” he said.
Penn said he first saw Bhatia when he was filming for “Designated Survivor” in Toronto and has been interested in telling his “incredible” story ever since.
“The crowd loves him – to see how much a source of pride he is for Canadians – and all basketball fans, in fact – makes me smile. His story is of unity, which I especially want to bring to life. Excited and proud.”
A separate documentary on Bhatia’s life, also titled “Superfan”, will release on CBC this month.
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