5 Unsung Heroes from Our Books Who Deserve a Movie

Sometimes when we were working on the Unfold the Stories of Unsung Heroes book series, Deepak and I would stop mid-research and go, “This is a movie waiting to happen.”

Because I’ll be honest, some real-life stories are more powerful, emotional, and twisty than anything Hollywood or Bollywood or any other ‘wood’ out there could script. These are the kinds of stories that stay with you. That whisper at your heart. That makes you cry, laugh, and fist-pump all at once.

And so today, I’m making a pitch, not to studios (okay, maybe a little), but to you, readers. Here are 5 unsung heroes from our books who I think absolutely deserve their own movie or Netflix docuseries. These aren’t just stories worth telling; they’re stories that could move millions.

1. Claire Wineland – The Girl Who Breathed Life into Life

From Book I

Claire Wineland had cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening illness, but that didn’t stop her from becoming a public speaker, YouTube star, activist, and soul-whisperer. She didn’t just live with illness, she thrived with it, laughing in its face and making us all rethink what it means to be “alive.”

Suggested Title: Breathe Anyway

Genre: Heartfelt dramedy meets TED Talk

Starring: Maybe Florence Pugh, because she’s got the depth, the spark, and that raw emotional power Claire carried so beautifully.

2. Dian Fossey – The Woman Who Spoke Gorilla

From Book III

She wasn’t just a scientist. She was a protector, a disruptor, and a woman willing to take on poachers, patriarchy, and political pressure, all to save her beloved mountain gorillas. Her story isn’t just about wildlife, it’s about wild willpower.

Suggested Title: Dian

Genre: Psychological Thriller and Eco-Activist Drama

Starring: I’d suggest Charlize Theron to star. She’s strong, intense, and totally able to handle both wrestling with gorilla poachers and portraying complex emotions.

3. Babar Ali – The Boy Who Built a School

From Book III

At just 9 years old, Babar started teaching kids who couldn’t afford school in his backyard. By 16, he was the youngest headmaster in the world. Imagine that. A kid, turning chalk and kindness into change.

Suggested Title: The Backyard Blackboard

Genre: Uplifting indie drama with schoolyard heart

Starring: Suraj Sharma (from Life of Pi) could portray the older Babar looking back, maybe even directing it himself?

4. James Harrison – The Man Who Saved 2.5 Million Babies

From Book II

James donated blood almost 1,200 times over 60 years. But not just any blood, his rare plasma helped save over 2 million babies from a deadly disease. Just imagine quietly saving lives every week for decades. Now imagine never asking for anything in return.

Working Title: The Man Who Saved Millions

Genre: Heartwarming Australian drama with dry humor

Starring: This one’s interesting, and I firmly believe that Bryan Cranston would be a perfect fit for this role because he can mix ordinary guy charm with quiet heroism so perfectly.

5. Mary Ann Bevan – The Woman Who Reclaimed Her Name

From Book I

After developing acromegaly, Mary Ann was cruelly labelled “The Ugliest Woman in the World.” But she owned her story. She entered a contest, performed in sideshows, not to be mocked, but to support her children and reclaim dignity in the most unusual way. Her story is a strength in disguise.

Working Title: Bevan

Genre: Period drama with soul and sass

Starring: For this, I would suggest Olivia Colman, for her sheer ability to break and heal you with just a glance. I’ve seen her work in ‘The Favourite’ and ‘Wicked Little Letters’.

We might not be filmmakers (yet 😄), but telling these stories felt like making emotional movies on paper. And maybe someday, one of these stories will hit the screen. Until then, you can read them in our books.

Let us know — which one would you want to see as a movie if you’ve read our books?

And, if you’re a director reading this… call us. 😉

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