In the world of biopics, it's not uncommon for a touch of fiction and cinematic flair to be added to real-life stories, events, and personalities in order to captivate audiences. But what about '800,' the biopic based on the legendary cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan's life? The man himself has some clarifications to make.

'800' chronicles the life of Muttiah Muralitharan, from his childhood to the momentous achievement of taking his 800th wicket on the cricket field.

The film marks the directorial debut of MS Sripathi, who has been associated with renowned director Venkat Prabhu for several years. Originally, Venkat Prabhu was set to direct the film but had to step away for personal reasons.

Muralitharan sheds light on how the project came into existence: "I've been involved in humanitarian work in Sri Lanka through my foundation. Director Venkat Prabhu visited Sri Lanka to assist the Tamil community, and my wife Madimalar, who was his childhood friend, introduced him to me.

After learning about my life and achievements, they proposed making a film about me. Initially, I was hesitant, but my manager convinced me that making a film would help raise awareness for the foundation. So, I agreed."

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, both Venkat Prabhu and the producer decided to step away from the project. Muralitharan continues, "I suggested continuing the project with Sripathi, who had already begun working on the script.

We had plans to make the film under Suresh Productions with Vijay Sethupathi as the lead. But as you may know, things didn't go as planned, and the movie eventually started with Madhur Mittal in the lead role."

Setting the record straight on the film's authenticity, Muralitharan emphasizes, "I've read the script of '800' multiple times, and I made it clear to the director and producers that the film should only depict what actually happened in my life. My life is like a movie in itself, and even a skilled scriptwriter couldn't craft such a naturally occurring story.

There's no fictionalization in '800.' The film contains only the real-life events and experiences, with cricket making up about 20 percent of the narrative, while the remaining 80 percent delves into my personal journey, challenges I faced, and the conditions in my country that people are often unaware of."

Curiously, Muralitharan has yet to watch '800.' He expresses a desire to see it in theaters, wanting to experience the film as a viewer and relish the feeling of watching a new movie. He shares that he didn't even visit the set during filming, saying, "I only went to the shooting location once, as it was happening at my parent's house, and I was nearby at the time."

Madhur Mittal, known for his role in 'Slumdog Millionaire,' who portrays Muralitharan in '800,' mentioned that he tried to match about 60-70 percent of Muralitharan's looks and 70 percent of his gestures to ensure an authentic portrayal of the cricketing legend.

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