Under-19 World Champion, But Still Hopes Were Dashed, Unmukht Chand | ‘It is difficult for me to play in India after the World Cup’: Unmukt Chand said- My documentary will get a new path and identity to the broken dreams

On September 12, a documentary is being released, which tells the story of the player who won the Under-19 World Cup to India, but never got a chance to wear Team India’s jersey. A player who raised millions of expectations, but when the time came to convert dreams into reality, the situation did not support and had to retire at just 28 years old. This documentary created by filmmaker Raghav Khanna is not just the story of a cricketer, but the story of every person who wants another chance, another. Dainik Bhaskar had a special conversation with the hero of this film, Unmukt Chand and director Raghav Khanna…

Question- When I was holding the bat in my hand for the first time, what did I think that one day I will bring the World Cup from this bat?

Unmukti- No, I did not think so at all. But yes, there was definitely a dream. I was four years old when I first started playing cricket. The academy was also joined at the age of 11–12 years. And to a great extent it was known that I would become a cricketer. I used to write this wish in my scrap book. And playing under-19 World Cup is the biggest moment for any player, which I also lived.

Question- Raghav, how did you meet your free, and how did you think that a documentary should be made on it?

Raghav- People in India have a tremendous passion for cricket, I also have a lot of passion. I have also played a lot of cricket in the street and I consider myself the biggest cricket lover. When in 2011 M.S. We won the World Cup under Dhoni’s captaincy, then there was a new energy across the country. And exactly the following year, Unmukt won us in the Under-19 World Cup in 2012. The media made him a star overnight. Everyone felt that now these players would soon be seen in the senior team. Then one day the notification came on the phone “Unmukt has retired from Team India and is going to America”. A lot of questions arose in my mind at that moment. Why is such a talented boy retiring so soon? There is definitely a deep story behind it. I contacted Unmukt, but he had gone to America. Later when I went to America for some work, I met him. See, it is not easy to tell the story of a great person. She can be inspiring, but cannot connect with everyone. But the story of Unmukt does not just inspires, but also gives identity. At the age of 19, who was called ‘great’, was forgotten in 24. Still he does not give up and gives himself a second chance. The same thing touched me.

Question- When Raghav talked about making a documentary on you, was you hesitant in your mind?

Unmukti- I have found peace from my story now. When I shifted to America, there were many problems. The India Cap for which I used to play, which was my inspiration, I had to change its goal. But at that time I learned a lot about life. Everything went well with time. Now I am not afraid of my story, but have become his friend. The last 3-4 years were very good with Raghav. He made me so comfortable that I could openly tell my story to him.

Question- What was the decision to retire or the result of any pressure?

Unmukti- I played Ranji Trophy from Delhi for many years, then went to Uttarakhand, then came back to Delhi. But everything did not happen as I thought. The pressure was increasing. I felt that it is difficult to play here now. And then there came some moments that started the passion of cricket from inside me. Anyway, the age of a player is limited. So I retired in 2021 and started looking for new opportunities in America.

Question- Your coach Udit said that bad times also falls on players like Sachin and Kohli, but they got support, Unmukt remained alone.

Unmukti- Calls have come a lot, but the definition of today’s professional sports has changed. Sometimes you get support, sometimes not. It was difficult for me to play cricket at that time in Delhi. I didn’t just play to sit on the bench. I had to keep playing. In today’s time, you should play with Team India till the age of 25-26, otherwise the selectors start looking forward. When I got a chance from America, I did not look back and now I want to explore the rest of the international leagues.

Question- Did any challenges also come while creating a documentary?

Raghav- The figures are public of every player, but it was our motive to show the real fight that he fights within himself. I am grateful to Unmukt and his parents who trusted me. It is not easy to start everything from zero, except your country, going to another country. This film will give hope to all those who want a second chance in life or who have fallen alone in their struggle.

Question- What do the audience learn from your story?

Unmukti- When I look at my life backward, it seems that it is full of ups and downs. Captured the Under-19 World Cup, and then there was a time when he was out of Ranji. It seemed that I would just be a club player. But I felt every emotion very quickly. Now I am not afraid of my past. I have adopted it. I know that there will be success in life and failure. This happens in everyone’s life, and my story will probably be able to connect with everyone.

Question- You have written on Instagram “Get up like Phoenix”, who stood firmly with you in such a difficult time?

Unmukti- My wife Simran. We have been together since 2018 and got married in 2021. They have seen my most difficult time when everything was falling. The way he supported me was going to give me a lot of strength. The time did not see when everyone was praising me, but she was with me when I was breaking. This relationship makes it strong. And the strength of this trust raised me again. Those moments have also been recorded in the documentary.

Question- Unmukt’s childhood, Under-19 World Cup, IPL, America Shift. All this is in the film, but how will it end?

Raghav- A great director Alfred Hitchcock said, “When you are making a film, the director is God, but when you are making a documentary, God is the director.” I had read this thing earlier, but it was now understood that something that had passed with the unmukt, I had complete control over it. We had planning that in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the film would play with the United America team and his story will end like a dream ending. But when the news came that Unmukt was not selected, I was sad as a friend and my “Perfect Ending” as a filmmaker also broke. After this a new journey started in search of a great end. I went to America again. I met Unmukt and took him to a roof. Where only I and he were. I knew that what I was going to do is possible in front of the camera alone. I turned on the camera and we started a deep conversation. In that conversation, Unmukt’s eyes were filled. I was thinking in my mind that I wish it would rain in this moment. And believe it, it started raining within 30 seconds. At the same time, I felt the real end of this story. An such end that tells that there is never a “dead end”. Every turn can create a new path. This film will give hope to every person who has ever given up or forgotten by the world.