"Unbroken: The Unmukt Chand Story," a new documentary film, offers an intimate look into the life of Unmukt Chand, the former Under-19 World Cup-winning captain, and his journey through the highs and lows of professional cricket. Directed by Raghav Khanna, the documentary chronicles Chand's rise to fame, the challenges he faced after not reaching the expected heights, and his decision to pursue cricket in the United States.
Chand's career began with immense promise, leading the Indian Under-19 team to victory in the 2012 World Cup with an unforgettable century in the final against Australia. This early success led to comparisons with Virat Kohli and significant opportunities, but his transition to senior-level cricket proved difficult. Inconsistent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and domestic cricket led to him falling out of favor.
Khanna's interest in Chand's story sparked when he learned of Chand's retirement from Indian cricket in 2021. Intrigued by what led the once-prodigious talent to step away from the game, Khanna reached out to Chand and discovered a compelling story of resilience, broken dreams, and the courage to start anew. "Unmukt Chand's story is not just about cricket, it is about resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of identity beyond the spotlight," said Dipti and Tushar, the producers of the film.
The documentary delves into how fame impacted Chand's life, the difficulties that prompted his move away from India, and how his family coped with the ups and downs of his career. Chand himself has spoken about the importance of resilience and persistence, saying, "You got to keep moving on, you need to be resilient, you need to stay persistent. And there's no way if you...I mean, you need to stay unbroken, basically, to make sure that you keep following your path".
Chand acknowledges that social media trolling affected him, especially early in his career. He recounts how, after being dismissed by Lasith Malinga in the IPL, he faced constant jeering about it, even during local matches. While he learned to deal with it, he recognizes the potential impact such experiences can have on young athletes.
"Unbroken" aims to showcase the realities of a cricketer's life beyond the field, including the mental and emotional challenges. Khanna followed Chand closely for two and a half years, capturing his experiences as he sought to establish himself in the American cricket scene. The director shared his vision with Chand's family, who were open to the project, and attempted to capture their experiences from a third-person perspective. While it seemed Chand might make the U.S. squad for the T20 World Cup, that did not come to pass.
Chand has expressed his hope that his story will inspire others to persevere in the face of adversity. "I think through my journey, I also feel that it's everyone's journey. The hardships, the setbacks, and the comebacks, I think we all sort of deal with them in our everyday lives," he said. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's passion and believing in second chances.
"Unbroken: The Unmukt Chand Story" is more than just a sports documentary; it is a saga of a young man dealing with fame, failure, and the bravery to begin again. It is a must-see for cricket fans and anyone who appreciates stories of perseverance. The documentary was released on September 12, 2025, and is expected to spark discussions about the pressures faced by emerging cricketers in India and the fine line between stardom and struggle.
Recently, Unmukt Chand's record for most sixes in Under-19 cricket was broken by Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who hit 41 sixes in 10 appearances compared to Chand's 38 sixes from 21 balls.