From sixes to scripts: CSK’s ‘Chinna Thala’ Suresh Raina set for Kollywood debut
In a move that’s bound to bowl over both cricket buffs and cinema fans, Chennai Super Kings’ beloved star Suresh Raina is set to swap his yellow jersey for a film costume! The former CSK vice-captain, affectionately nicknamed Chinna Thala, will make his acting debut in a Tamil film currently titled Production No 1. Announced at a glitzy Chennai event—attended by CSK all-rounder Shivam Dube and graced (virtually) by Raina himself from Amsterdam—the film is already generating blockbuster buzz. Directed by Logan and produced by Dream Knight Pictures, the cricket-themed drama promises more than just cameo glitter. With top talents like Santhosh Narayanan scoring the music, Oscar-winner Resul Pookutty handling sound design, and acclaimed production designer T Muthuraj on board, the film aims for cinematic sixes, not just fan service. Speaking about his silver-screen innings, Raina shared that the script felt “very close” to his heart—a cricket story set in Tamil Nadu, blendi...