Actor Kal Penn to play Toronto Raptors superfan in new film
Hollywood actor Kal Penn is gearing up to play Toronto Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia on the big screen.
The news first broke in an exclusive report by Deadline but was later confirmed on social media by both parties.
"Superfan is going Hollywood," Bhatia said on Twitter. "Excited to have Kal Penn say yes to playing me in the new biopic!!"
"I cant believe all of this. I'm speechless and I'm honored!
Bhatia attended his first Raptors game in 1995 after the team joined the NBA and previously told CTV News Toronto that he became "addicted."
In over 25 years, Bhatia has never missed a home game.
He is also known for gifting thousands of Raptors tickets to members of the Sikh community including a large number of children, to celebrate Vaisakhi, the Sikh new year.
In May, he became one of the first fans to ever be honoured at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Penn, who is known for his roles on "House," "Designated Survivor," and "Harold & Kumar," took to Twitter to say that he is "super excited" to bring Bhatia's story to Hollywood.
"Lots of us are basketball fans, but there's only one (Nav Bhatia)," he wrote.
"His story of perseverance and unity is incredible and I'm super excited to bring his super fan story to the (super?) big screen."
Other than the fact that the film is being produced by Stampede Ventures, few other details have been released publicly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Israel says it reopened a key Gaza crossing after a rocket attack but the UN says no aid has entered
The Israeli military said Wednesday that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.