Film on Kashmiri kickboxer Tajamul Islam in the making

The inspirational story of eight-year-old Tajamul Islam, Kashmir's youngest kickboxing World Champion has captured the interest of film producer Mushtaq Nadiadwala, who has notched up the rights for a biopic.

Tajamul had scripted history at the World Kickboxing Championship in Italy in November last year.

Just last month, there was a buzz that writer Shibani Bathija was writing a script on the same subject. But Mushtaq says they have "secured the sole rights" of the story now.

The script of the prospective film on her life is a work in progress under the banner MAN Films.



"The talks are on since a couple of months. The family trusts our vision and given our family's reputation in film-making, they feel their story is safe in our hands. We will appoint a writer to start developing the script soon," Mushtaq told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

"This movie will inspire the youth who wish to aspire for excellence, but are bound and constrained by their circumstances. Specifically, it will aim to break gender stereotyping and bring to light the greatness that girls are destined for," he added.

Little Tajamul, one of five siblings born to Ghulam Mohammad Lone -- a driver in Bandipora district of Kashmir, is currently preparing for an upcoming world championship.

Her father is joyous.

"It is a moment of tremendous pride for me as a father. It brings back memories of all those times when we were in states of constant struggle to reach where we are today. I am going to provide my full co-operation to the filmmaker," Lone told IANS over phone from his hometown.

Lone hopes the movie is shot in Kashmir, but Mushtaq said that would be more of a creative call even though the state will automatically be in the picture as a backdrop for where Tajamul comes from.



What larger purpose will the narration of Tajamul's story have for Kashmiris?

"People will have a much larger appreciation for the lives and the talent that resides in Kashmir and opportunities will further open up leading to the establishment of a better infrastructure and provision of state of the art facilities for them," hopes Mushtaq, brother of producer Firoz Nadiadwala and cousin of filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala.

Lone hopes the movie when made, draws the government's attention to the need for developing training centres for the sport in the state so that more youngsters like Tajamul make Kashmir proud.

Have something to add in the story? Share it in the comments below.