Akshay Kumar's upcoming sports biopic Gold may see him play hockey icon Balbir Singh

Akshay Kumar has a very successful history of portraying real events in Indian history with just the right amount of patriotism. [caption id=“attachment_3038048” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Akshay Kumar. News 18 image[/caption] Case in point: Airlift, Rustom and the fictional Special 26, which were not only infused with a healthy dose of patriotic fervour, but also spelled box-office success for the actor. The actor, on 21 October 2016, took to Twitter to share the poster of his new film Gold, which is all set to release on Independence day 2018. The actor tweeted, “Set in 1948, the historic story of India’s first Olympic medal as a free nation, #GOLD coming to you on 15th August 2018!” he tweeted.

Set in 1948, the historic story of India's first Olympic medal as a free nation, #GOLD coming to you on 15th August, 2018! pic.twitter.com/KPAExjtmYz

— Jolly Mishra - Asli Jolly from Kanpur (@akshaykumar) October 21, 2016

Gold is to be helmed by Talaash director Reema Kagti and produced by Excel Entertainment. The film’s teaser poster made it clear that the film is a sports film set in 1948 and tells the story of India clinching its first ever gold medal at the Olympics. News outlets have speculated that the film is based on the hockey legend Balbir Singh which will be essayed by Akshay Kumar. Balbir Singh was a part of the Olympic hockey team in 1948. Singh then went on to become the vice-captain of the 1952 Olympics, and according to reports, the film will follow his rise as a sports hero in India and how Balbir Singh was the heart of the gold campaign that India enjoyed in the three editions of the Olympics.

Akshay has had an extremely successful year so far. Three of his films, which released in 2016 — Airlift, Housefull 3 and Rustom — all grossed above Rs 100 crore at the domestic box office.