NEED TO KNOW
Back in the day, Gotham Chopra would have balked at the idea of making a film about Alex Rodriguez.
The Boston native — and Red Sox “diehard” — admitted as much to PEOPLE while on the red carpet for Alex vs ARod, his new HBO Max docuseries about the baseball icon.
“I mean, my history is I hated the guy,” the Alex vs ARod director, 50, said on Monday, Nov. 3. “’A-Rod,’ you know? I’m a diehard Red Sox Fan. I hated on that guy for a long time.”
But after meeting the retired slugger about three years ago to pitch his idea, Gotham said his opinion quickly changed.
“Right from the jump, he was not what I expected,” Chopra, the son of spiritualist Deepak Chopra, said. “I mean, I feel like I knew A-Rod through all the hating I had done, but Alex was like a really sort of interesting, thoughtful guy.”
He continued, “And so right from that first lunch … I was like, oh, he’s complicated, he’s not what I expected. And he’s willing to sort of be open and honest and accountable to certain things. So I was pretty enamored right from the start.”
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The connection between director and former Yankees star blossomed into the new three-part docuseries, which explores the former baseball star’s relationship with public life.
Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey Jr. and former MLB manager Lou Piniella are among those featured in the project, as well as significant members of Rodriguez’s private life, including his ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis, and their daughters Natasha, 20, and Ella, 17.
At the premiere, Rodriguez, 50, walked the carpet with his family members, including his mother, Lourdes Navarro and girlfriend Jaclyn Cordeiro — all of whom shared their excitement about the documentary.
“I’m just really proud of his vulnerability and bravery, putting something so awesome out there for everyone to see,” Ella told PEOPLE. “And I really hope everyone gives it the reaction it deserves.”
All episodes of Alex vs ARod are now streaming on HBO Max.
