shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > Sports News > Other Sports News > Article > Reel to real success

Reel to real success!

Updated on: 22 January,2022 07:51 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Sundari Iyer |

Chembur girl Naishaa, 13, who played the role of kid Saina Nehwal in biopic, feels proud to emulate her idol off screen too after winning U-15 title recently

Reel to real success!

Naishaa Kaur Bhatoye with actor Parineeti Chopra; Naishaa with her trophy after winning the All India sub junior U-15 title in Haryana recently and Saina Nehwal

Naishaa Kaur Bhatoye, 13, who essayed the role of her idol, Saina Nehwal in the 2021 biographical sports film, Saina, is a champion in real life too.


The Chembur-based teenager won the U-15 girls singles title at the Ashwani Gupta Memorial All India Sub Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament in Haryana earlier this month. In the final on January 9, she defeated Anwesha Gowda of Delhi 17-21, 21-14, 21-16.


Naishaa shuttles between Mumbai and Hyderabad to pursue her badminton dream. In Mumbai, she trains at the Jitesh Padukone Shuttlers’ Academy at the North Indian Association, Sion, while in Hyderabad, she trains at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (PGBA).


‘Gritty athlete’

India’s chief national coach Gopichand is full of praise for Naishaa. “She is a good talent and a very gritty athlete, a lot like Saina [Nehwal],” Gopichand told mid-day.

Naisha is grateful to her school, St Gregorios High School, Chembur, for helping her continue training in a different city. “I started playing under Jitesh sir in 2015 when I was seven and began attending Gopi sir’s academy two years ago. I’m thankful to my school for permitting me to attend classes online long before the COVID-19 pandemic began. I come to Mumbai only for my exams,” said Naishaa, a Class VIII student, who lives in the city with her mother, Sapna, and elder sister, Jaspreet. Her father, Jagir Singh, has taken a job transfer to Hyderabad to ensure she can train under Gopichand.

Naishaa recalled how she landed the role of kid Saina in the film. “Initially, when actor Shraddha Kapoor [Parineeti Chopra eventually played the lead role after Kapoor opted out of the film] was doing the film, she saw me at the North Indian Association and recommended my name to the director. I was just nine when I shot for the movie. I shot for around one-and-a-half month for the 20-30 minute role. It was a dream come true to play the role of my idol. I took up badminton because of her,” explained Naishaa.

‘Next big thing’

Coach Padukone, a former national shuttler, is confident Naishaa will achieve great heights. “She is very different from other wards at my academy. Her hard work and perseverance make her special. She is an attacking player. She will be the next big thing in Indian badminton,” said Padukone.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK