Mumbai: The storytelling series explores the lesser-known early struggles of the Olympian, from poverty and barefoot training to becoming one of India’s leading sprinters
New Delhi: What does it take for a young girl to chase a dream when even basic necessities are a struggle, and when the people around her don't want her to pursue it? Dreamers, the cinematic storytelling series hosted by storyteller, actor and filmmaker Sudhanshu Rai, revisits the extraordinary journey of Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, focusing on the lesser-known struggles that shaped her journey long before the medals and Olympic appearances.
Born into a financially disadvantaged family in Odisha, Chand grew up with limited resources. Her early connection with running began through school sports, where winning competitions could mean something as simple yet significant as receiving books and stationery. Her early training was far removed from professional sporting facilities, she ran barefoot along village roads and near the river, driven by a determination to create a different future.
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Aug 10, 2026But her biggest challenge wasn't just the lack of resources. It was the social resistance to a girl running in her village. With people questioning why a girl should be out running instead of staying at home, Chand's family encouraged her to train before the village woke up. She began running in the early hours, creating a powerful image of a young girl chasing her dream while the world around her slept.
That girl would eventually become Dutee Chand, a two-time Asian Games silver medallist and World University Games winner. World Athletics lists her 100m personal best and national record at 11.17 seconds, set in 2021. She also represented India at the Olympic Games and became the first Indian sprinter to win gold at the World University Games.
For Dreamers, however, the focus is not merely on the medals. It is on the journey that came before them. “ _Stories of success are often told from the finish line. But what interests us at Dreamers is what happened before anyone was watching—the fear, the doubt, the hunger and the choices that shaped the person,”_ says Sudhanshu Rai. “Dutee Chand’s story is powerful because before she became an athlete known across India, she was simply a girl who wanted to run.
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Aug 10, 2026The story also looks at how Chand is now attempting to create opportunities for young athletes who face the same barriers she once encountered. The Dutee Chand Sports Foundation of India, established by Chand, works towards supporting grassroots athletes, particularly those lacking resources and access to training and opportunities.
Dutee Chand's journey, as presented by Dreamers, ultimately goes beyond athletics. It is a story about poverty, gender expectations, resilience and the courage to continue pursuing a dream when the circumstances around you suggest otherwise.
The girl who once had to run before her village woke up eventually ran in India's colours before the world. And that, perhaps, is the real story behind the athlete the world came to know as Dutee Chand.
Dreamers is a cinematic storytelling series hosted by storyteller, actor and filmmaker Sudhanshu Rai, bringing audiences stories of extraordinary individuals through meaningful narratives, visual storytelling and the moments behind their public success. The platform explores the struggles, turning points and human stories that often remain unseen behind achievement
