Farhad Samji swaps slapstick for a real-life cricket saga
Known for crowd-pleasing comedies and larger-than-life masala entertainers, Farhad Samji is taking a surprising detour. The filmmaker — who has directed hits like Bachchhan Paandey, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Housefull 4, and co-written memorable blockbusters such as Singham, Bol Bachchan, Housefull 2 and Chennai Express with his brother Sajid — has written the screenplay for a film based on the life of Senior Inspector Subhash Shinde.
From the book to the big screen: Safed Khaki
The movie is an adaptation of Safed Khaki, a book written by Atharwa Shinde, Subhash Shinde’s daughter. Atharwa told Mid-Day in a November 2025 interview that the story first caught the eye of director Nishikant Kamat (known for Mumbai Meri Jaan and Drishyam), who had wanted to make a film on it. That plan was shelved after Kamat’s untimely death in 2020.
Now Farhad Samji, along with co-writer Piyush Singh, has taken on the project, handling the screenplay and dialogues. “I feel immense joy and deep gratitude that Farhad Samji is writing the screenplay and dialogues for my story,” Atharwa said, expressing her happiness at the new creative team.
New collaborators: music and writing
The film will also feature songs penned by Nitin Ramesh Tendulkar, elder brother of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who is a respected lyricist in Marathi cinema. His involvement adds a regional musical sensibility that could strengthen the film’s local authenticity.
Who is Subhash Shinde? The policeman who built a cricket legacy
Subhash Shinde spent more than four decades in the Maharashtra Police, largely serving in the Crime Branch. But his influence reached beyond policing. In his younger days, Shinde trained under the Bombay Cricket Association’s Mafatlal Bowling Scheme, a program that began in 1990 to nurture bowling talent.
On November 11, 2011, he took on an ambitious task: forming a police cricket team in Navi Mumbai Rural from scratch. Few expected much, but the team steadily rose through the ranks, winning numerous tournaments across Mumbai Cricket Association and state circuits. Their honours include victories in the Times Shield, Government Shield, DY Patil Tournament, Kanga League, Kurla Bapat Tournament, Thane Vaibhav Tournament and several MCA-affiliated office and corporate events.
- Police career: Over four decades with Maharashtra Police, mainly in the Crime Branch.
- Cricket roots: Trained under the Mafatlal Bowling Scheme in 1990.
- Team builder: Created and coached a championship-winning police cricket team in Navi Mumbai Rural from 2011.
- Tournament success: Multiple wins across Times Shield, Kanga League, DY Patil and other prominent tournaments.
What to expect from this Farhad Samji film
This project marks a tonal shift for Farhad. While he has a strong reputation for comedy and crowd-pleasers, the story of Subhash Shinde leans toward human drama, sports inspiration and biographical respect. With Atharwa Shinde’s personal account as source material and Farhad’s knack for accessible storytelling, the film could blend emotional depth with crowd-friendly beats.
Expect a focus on character — the making of a team, the challenges of balancing police duty with sporting passion, and the social context of cricket in Mumbai’s grassroots circuits. With Nitin Ramesh Tendulkar writing the songs, music may further root the narrative in local flavour.
Farhad’s balance of genres
Farhad’s move isn’t necessarily an abandonment of comedy. He remains linked to other light-hearted projects and continues to be associated with mainstream comic capers. Still, tackling a real-life story like Safed Khaki shows he’s willing to diversify his filmography and try a different creative register.
For audiences, this film is worth watching not only for its subject — a policeman who left a mark on Mumbai’s cricket scene — but also to see how a director known for mass comedy adapts to a quieter, more inspirational narrative.
