Adil Hussain, Neha Dhupia star in Lionel Messi fan drama '52 Blue' premiering at London Indian Film Festival

“52 Blue,” an emotional coming-of-age story about a young man who travels from a secluded life in Kerala to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar to meet his childhood hero, Lionel Messi, will have its European debut at the 17th London Indian Film Festival at BFI Southbank on July 9.

Guided by director Ali El Arabi (“Captains of Zaatari”), the film will also be shown at the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham on July 10. El Arabi and some cast members are slated to appear at both events.

“52 Blue” follows Ashish (Yadav Shashidhar), a young man who grows up isolated on an island in Kerala, under the watch of a protective father and an encouraging mother, portrayed by Adil Hussain (“Life of Pi”) and Neha Dhupia (“Qayamat: City Under Threat”), respectively. 

Breaking away from his sheltered upbringing, Ashish embarks on a journey across continents, motivated by the memory of his late brother. 

The movie includes an original track, “It’s Your Turn,” by rapper and songwriter Badshah.

The London Indian Film Festival, which includes the Birmingham and Manchester Indian Film Festivals, celebrates its 17th edition with screenings across 20 venues in six UK cities: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Bradford, and Liverpool.

The event features films in ten languages and receives funding support from the BFI Audience Projects Fund, backed by the National Lottery.

“We are thrilled to kick off our 17th festival with such an inspiring and engaging film about young people overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges, a theme that seems uplifting in these challenging times,” stated Cary Rajinder Sawhney, the festival’s CEO and programming director. 

"The shift from a small Kerala town to the grand scale of international venues truly captures the contrast of today's experiences, reflecting how Indian individuals are often the unseen crucial contributors to wealthier nations. 

El Arabi expertly draws powerful performances from the young actor Yadav Shashidhar and established stars like Adil Hussain.”