Jon Hamm, lead actor on the Emmy-winning American TV show Mad Men, may get top billing on Disney’s upcoming true-life sports film Million Dollar Arm, but behind the scenes, two of the key driving forces behind the movie are a pair of modest Indian athletes who made the seemingly impossible jump from humble beginnings in Lucknow to international fame—simply by picking up a baseball in America for the first time in their lives.

Hollywood producer Mark Ciardi’s credits include inspirational sports films such as “Miracle,” “Invincible” and “The Rookie.’’ Ciardi’s career as a pitcher plateaued after four appearances with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1987, so he’s familiar with the universal sports theme of overcoming insurmountable odds.

BRADENTON —
The life story about some athletes from Manatee County will soon be featured on the big screen.

A movie is being made about two young men from India with no baseball experience. They won a reality show and were picked up to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league team in Bradenton.