Actor Gulshan Grover is reportedly collaborating with his filmmaker son Sanjay to produce a feature on the life of Kashmiri football player Afshan Ashiq. Mumbai Mirror reported that the biopic, titled Hope Solo, will be directed by Manish Harishankar and written by Saiwyn Quadras, who previously worked on the screenplays for Mary Kom and Neerja.
Ashiq, the 21-year-old coach of the Kashmiri women’s football team, captured media attention in April after a photograph of her hurling a stone at security forces during a street protest in the Valley went viral. The story of what made a promising football player who was opposed to violence pick up the stone was considered emblematic of the anger of the youth of the conflict-torn region.
Sanjay Grover, who lives in the United States of America, has previously worked with Hollywood studio Metro Goldwyn Mayer as a director for Special Projects. Kashmir and its many stories inspire him, he said. “Afshan recently met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, and discussed the project with her,” Grover said. “With all approvals, we are ready to go on floors early next year.”
Casting for the project is underway. Hope Solo will be produced in English and Hindi and aims for an international release.