But when the first look of "Dada" hit screens on July 8, the chatter was sharp—fans and critics alike slammed the poster for looking as if it’d been pulled straight from a machine learning demo.
The image itself was a bold nod to the 2002 NatWest Trophy celebration, with Rao flaunting a flag‑wave in a blue pair of pants, mimicking Ganguly’s iconic shirt‑less grin. Yet the execution left many scratching their heads, and the hashtag #AIgenerated swirled faster than a cricket ball in a heat‑wave.
Rao, who’s been in the trenches of the biopic, wasn’t shy about the fallout. “The team has learned their lesson,” he told Mashable India, adding that the post‑release buzz made it clear how fiercely fans guard Dada’s legacy. He didn’t mince words—there’s no rush in capturing a legend’s spirit.
Behind the scenes, Rao’s prep has been nothing short of a deep dive into Ganguly’s world. He’s spent weeks in Kolkata, shooting at the former captain’s home and the hallowed grounds of Eden Gardens, swapping stories and secrets that will later colour his on‑screen portrayal. “He laid his life bare before me,” Rao said, hinting that the authenticity of the film hinges on that intimate knowledge.
Meanwhile, Rao’s eye is on the next big thing—"Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story," a courtroom drama set to hit theatres on October 16. The film, produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, already has a star‑packed lineup with Wamiqa Gabbi and Jaideep Ahlawat. Rao’s comments on the poster saga are a reminder that even the best‑intent teams can stumble, and it’s the audience who keeps the bar high.
So, as the film’s release date inches closer, the question isn’t just whether the poster can be fixed, but whether the makers will heed Rao’s warning and deliver a biopic that satisfies a fan base that’s already set the bar sky‑high.