Four On Eleven: A short film celebrating contributions of big names in cricket from the Parsi community
A documentary by city-based director Shrikaran Beecharaju, Four On Eleven, featuring four of the finest names including Nari Contractor, Polly Umrigar, Farokh Engineer, Rusi Surti in the Indian Test team in 1960s
HYDERABAD: It’s all about timing! Well, for the Parsis celebrating their New Year Day, Navroz, on Friday, there could have been few better gifts than a beautifully produced film documentary ‘Four On Eleven’ featuring four of the finest names from the community.
City-based film Director Shrikaran Beecharaju brought to the fore the contribution of the big names of cricket Nari Contractor, Polly Umrigar, Farokh Engineer, Rusi Surti in the Indian Test team in 1960s and the rich legacy and indelible impression they have left on the cricketing fraternity.
“The whole idea was conceived when being an avid cricket fan, I was searching on Google about famous cricketers and somehow got fascinated by the aura of these Parsi cricketers. And, when I was walking daily from my room to the St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, I was hooked by the grandeur of the Parsi structures and the rich history,” Shrikaran said. “The Parsi Community promoted the game in a big way and had the distinction of sending the first-ever team from India to the UK in 1866 and had the privilege of playing even at Lord’s and against the great WG Grace too!”
“It is a glorious history for sure and not confined to only those men cricketers who played the game at the highest level, but also some like former India women cricketer Diana Edulji, international umpires Piloo Reporter, and renowned coaches for their efforts in promoting the game across India. I visited many Parsi-dominated localities in Secunderabad to get a feel of their contribution and sincerely thank Naushir Mehta Sir for all the support,” Shrikaran said.
Well, the documentary with some unforgettable clips of these cricketing heroes from the archives and interactions with Contractor, Engineer truly presented a perfect pic of a glorious past and a lost legacy as these cricketers lamented that there is no worthy name except Gujarat’s Arzan Nagwaswalla, who was the ‘nets’ bowler for Indian seniors recently, trying to continue the legacy.
For his part, the chief guest, Naushir Mehta, reminded the Hyderabadi connection, recalling the contribution of Eddie Aibara, who was a member of Hyderabad team, which won the Ranji Trophy first time in 1938 and also holds the record of playing for one State for 25 continuous years in the Ranji Trophy.
The screening was done during the ongoing film Red Lorry Film Festival at the Prasads Multiplex in the presence of former Hyderabad off-spinner Naushir Mehta, the biggest name of Parsi community in cricket from the city, and the vice-president of BookMyShow, Prasad.
