Tiger is a 2018 American sports drama film directed by Alister Grierson, written by Michael Pugliese and Prem Singh, and produced by Daniel Grodnik based on the true story of former Ontario flyweight boxing champion Pardeep Singh Nagra,[2] a Sikh who aspired to be a boxer only to be prevented from becoming one due to his refusal to shave his beard. The film stars Mickey Rourke, Janel Parrish, Prem Singh, and Michael Pugliese.[3][4][5][6]

Tiger
Film poster
Directed byAlister Grierson
Written byMichael Pugliese
Prem Singh
Produced byDaniel Grodnik p.g.a.
Deepak Singh[1]
StarringMickey Rourke
Janel Parrish
Prem Singh
Michael Pugliese
CinematographyNathan Wilson
Edited byBen Joss
Mark Warner
Music byCezary Skubiszewski
Production
companies
R3M Productions
Running Tiger Films
Starrunner Entertainment
Distributed byR3M Pictures.
Release dates
  • October 13, 2018 (2018-10-13) (San Diego)
  • November 30, 2018 (2018-11-30)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film, which had its world premiere at the San Diego International Film Festival on October 13, 2018 where it won Best Feature Film. It was given a limited release in the United States and Canada by R3M Pictures on November 30, 2018[7] before rolling out to a nationwide release.

Plot

edit

Tiger is inspired by the true story of Pardeep Singh Nagra, a practicing Sikh man who was banned from the sport of boxing due to his religious beliefs. Pardeep fights back with the support of his coach and mentor (Mickey Rourke) and a community lawyer (Janel Parrish). Obstacles faced include racial profiling by public officials, overtly racist threats, jealous rival boxers and pressure to change from loved ones. It is within the course of these challenges, and at his weakest moment, that he discovers love (Janel Parrish). Consequently, his legacy will be forever tied to his two biggest battles; one in the courtroom, the other in the ring.

Cast

edit

Production

edit

Prem Singh and Michael Pugliese began writing the screenplay in 2010. After years of trying to get the film into production, it finally started to come together early 2015. Alister Grierson was attached in April 2015. Prem and Michael found out Mickey Rourke trained with Freddie Roach at Wild Card Boxing Club and took the next flight out. They waited for Mickey Rourke to leave the gym where they pitched him the project. He was later attached in September 2015. Janel Parrish was later attached in October 2015.

Filming

edit

Principal photography began in Cincinnati and Hamilton, Ohio in November 2015.[8][9][10][11]

The making of the film reportedly caused a lot of road closings in the Hamilton area.[12][13] Filming also took place in Miami University Hamilton.[14][15] Principal photography wrapped in December 2015.[16]

Music

edit

Cezary Skubiszewski wrote and composed the original score with a full orchestra.

Manj Musik wrote the song "Punjabi Worldwide" for the film which features Fat Joe.

Accolades

edit

On October 14, 2018, Tiger won the "Best Feature Film" award at the San Diego International Film Festival.[17]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Deepak Singh to produce Yogendra Singh Yadav biopic titled 'Bravo Yadav'". India TV News. 22 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Banned from the ring, bearded Sikh boxer fights religious discrimination | CBC Radio". CBC. Retrieved 2018-10-15.
  3. ^ "Hamilton landmarks spotted in movie trailer". Journal-News. May 23, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  4. ^ Baker, Wayne (16 November 2015). "Mickey Rourke boxing movie now filming in Hamilton". Journal-News. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  5. ^ McNary, Dave (18 November 2015). "Mickey Rourke Joins Sikh Boxing Movie 'Tiger'". Variety. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  6. ^ "Another Hollywood film is being made in Cincinnati". Cincinnati Business Courier. November 17, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  7. ^ Tiger, retrieved 2018-10-18
  8. ^ "Mickey Rourke boxing drama begins filming in southwest Ohio". The News-Herald (Ohio). November 17, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  9. ^ Motsinger, Carol (November 17, 2015). "Mickey Rourke movie, 'Tiger,' filming in Cincinnati with 'Pretty Little Liars' star". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  10. ^ Kiesewetter, John (November 17, 2015). "Extras Needed For Mickey Rourke-Janel Parrish Movie". WVXU. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  11. ^ "Mickey Rourke boxing drama begins filming in Ohio". Akron Beacon Journal. November 17, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  12. ^ Wells, Dan (November 23, 2015). "Production for 'Tiger' causes parking, road restrictions". WXIX-TV. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  13. ^ Wells, Dan (November 23, 2015). "Production for 'Tiger' causes parking, road restrictions". KFVS-TV. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  14. ^ "Filming of movie on Sikh boxer underway in USA". Sikh Channel. November 24, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  15. ^ "Filming of movie on Sikh boxer underway in US". Hindustan Times. November 24, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  16. ^ Baker, Wayne (December 24, 2015). "Top 10 stories: Hollywood comes to Butler County". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  17. ^ "Award Winners | San Diego International Film Festival". 2018-10-15. Archived from the original on 2018-10-15. Retrieved 2018-10-15.
edit