Photo Credit: Disney

Disclosure: This post is part of an all expenses paid press trip to Los Angeles provided by Disney.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.  All giggles and squeals will also belong to me while attending these events in LA!

Last week I shared with you all my interviews with the real people behind the movie Million Dollar Arm along with our Jon Hamm interview, which I still can’t believe I was a part of and that he talked to me!  (when I asked a question, that is!)  We also had a chance to interview the boys who played Dinesh and Rinku in the movie and that is when I fell in love with them!  They are both great actors and fun people!  They had so much energy and enthusiasm that I could feel how happy and proud they were about this movie.

Who are these guys

Suraj Sharma, who played Rinku you may recognize from Life of Pi.  At only 21 years old he’s already been a part of two great movies (IMO).  Suraj said he didn’t really want to act but once he started he found he really loved it.

Madhur Mittal played Dinesh and you may recognize him from Slumdog Millionaire, another great movie!  However, something I found very interesting was that Madhur started out as a Michael Jackson impersonator!  I can sort of see how he’d fit that role as well!  Madhur is only 27 and still at the beginning of his career as well.  I do hope to see him in more movies!  He says “This is what I’m met to do and where I’m meant to be”.

Photo Credit: Disney

What this movie meant to them

This movie seems to have had a great impact on both of them.  Suraj pointed out how these guys came from nothing and did something wonderful.  If you have seen the film then you totally agree with this.  They are such inspirations to children all around the world, not just in the US.

Training for the Movie

Since they actually had to somewhat play baseball in this movie, they had to learn it as well.  They had no previous training and both agreed they had a lot of fun training.  However, Madhur said they were a handful on the set!  They trained for 3-4 hours a day and then did a couple of hours in the gym. They also had strict diets during their training according to Saraj.  That’s dedication!  And it showed because they did a great job pitching in the movie.

The famous Flamingo Pose

Of course we had to ask him about the post because Rinku made the Flamingo Post famous.  During our interview with the real Rinku we found out that was a real pose!  He taught Suraj how to do it.  It’s one of the funniest moments at the beginning of the film and then again at the end.   You really have to see it to understand it and appreciate it.

The energy from both of them started from the moment they walked in through to the premier later that day.  During the movie Madhur gave shout outs to each of the main characters as they first appeared on the screen.  I could see him from where I was sitting and loved how excited he got for everyone. Of course when he first appeared he was the silent one.  I would have loved for him to cheer himself on!

I was very happy to have met them both and they are great actors.  I sure do hope to see more of the in future films.  Of course before they left we took a group picture..

Image Credit: Disney

Million Dollar Arm is now in theaters around the world.  See it. You’ll love it.  And take the entire family!  After all it’s made by Disney!