From Playing U-19 With Shikhar Dhawan To Singing, Harrdy’s Life Story Is ‘Soch Se Parey’

Harrdy Sandhu is a name that needs no introduction in the music world. The singer, who is currently riding high on the success of Bijlee Bijlee, will soon make his Bollywood debut in 83. He plays the role of Sir Madan Lal and was trained by the legendary cricketer himself for prepping up.

Super Excited for my debut in @83thefilm
Loving the response to the trailer. So overwhelmed with the response. #HarrdySandhuIn83 pic.twitter.com/XDg78sijgl

— Harrdy Sandhu (@HARRDYSANDHU) November 30, 2021

While we can’t imagine Harrdy as anything other than a fantastic performer and a melodious singer, his personal plans about life were far different from where he ended up. Harrdy was a trained cricketer who harboured dreams of playing with the national team. He played cricket professionally and even made it to the under-19.  However, life has other plans for him. “I played for around 10 years. I have played for the U-19 cricket team with Shikhar Dhawan. He was my roommate, and I have also played with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ishant Sharma. But in 2006, I had an elbow injury. I was a fast bowler and the injury was on my right arm. I tried to get treatment here, but kuch hua nahi. Unfortunately, I hurt my elbow during training and even though I tried my best to get it treated, all efforts were futile. I got a student visa for Australia and thought if my treatment is successful, I will come back to India and start playing again. Warna padhai karke, wahin settle ho jaunga. I was there for 11 months and in that period; I met a lot of doctors, par kuch hua nahi. Wahan taxi bhi chalayi”, he added.

Harrdy still never lost hope. “One day while driving, I met Sri Lanka’s former cricket physiotherapist who told me my injury is similar to Chaminda Vaas. He suggested a specific treatment and I flew back to India in the hope of playing cricket again but I had booked myself a return flight to Australia as a backup. Even though I made it to Punjab’s Ranji Trophy team, a few days before the match, my injury resurfaced and that was my last day on the pitch” , he mentioned.  

© Twitter

He also explained how his dream of playing in the IPL crumbled down. “I have been singing since I was four. Jab taxi mein koi nahi hota tha, tab gata rehta tha. During that time, IPL had started and all those who were junior to me, unka bhi selection ho gaya. I felt really bad. I could have easily played in IPL”. After this episode left him depressed, he decided to take up singing. In 2013, his song Soch became a chartbuster and since then, there has been no looking back for this guy.

© Twitter

Life has kind of come full circle for him, so he’s going to live his cricket dream in reel life now. Talking about he how ended up getting 83, he explained, “In February 2019, I was in Chandigarh only for a day and I randomly got a call from Ammy Virk (he was one of the first few actors to be confirmed for ‘83‘) saying, ‘Come down to the restaurant of your building, I have to make you meet someone.’ That’s when I met Kabir Khan sir and Balwinder Sandhu ji for the first time. We talked about how ’83’ is taking shape and they asked me if I could replicate Madan Lal ji’s bowling action. Coincidentally, Madan Lal ji had coached me at an NCB camp and he was a fast bowler too so I thought I can do this. I practised a lot and sent them a video of me bowling as Madan Lal ji but I didn’t receive a response for a long while. One fine day, I heard from my team that they loved the finesse with which I pulled it off and that’s how I became a part of ’83’. I am elated that after so many roadblocks it is releasing!” he quipped.

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Here’s hoping this guy rocks it up on the big screen!