Ten years ago, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story arrived in theatres and gave audiences a story that was much bigger than cricket. At its heart was Sushant Singh Rajput, who stepped into the shoes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and made the legendary cricketer’s journey feel deeply personal.

From Dhoni’s early days in Ranchi to his struggle to find his place in cricket, his railway job, friendships, love and eventual rise to becoming India’s captain, Sushant carried the film with remarkable warmth. He didn’t simply play Dhoni—he spent months understanding his mannerisms, body language, batting style and the little details that made the character believable.

What made Sushant’s performance even more special was the emotional honesty he brought to the role. His acting in Dhoni had everything in the role from being quiet, funny, vulnerable and determined, often without saying much. The now-iconic moments from his first big cricket opportunity to the World Cup victory still hit differently because of how sincerely Sushant lived the character.

A decade later, watching the film can feel bittersweet. Sushant is no longer here to witness the love audiences continue to have for his work, but his performance remains frozen in time.

Ten years on, the story of Dhoni still inspires millions. And Sushant’s portrayal reminds us of an actor whose smile, talent and screen presence are deeply missed.