After Harbhajan Singh woos fans with 'Friendship' movie teaser, list of Indian cricketers who were seen on big screens
Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was recently bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh took fans and the internet by storm after he unveiled the first teaser of his upcoming movie 'Friendship' on Monday. The trilingual sports drama is directed by John Paul Raj and Sham Surya.
The 40-year old cricketer, who had previously appeared in films like 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' and 'Second Hand Husband' as special appearances, had made his full-fledged debut with Karthik Yogi's Tamil film Dikkiloona.
The spinner who was recently bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), was seen in a badass avatar in the 'Friendship' movie teaser.
He was seen fighting the bad guys, beating up the goons and dancing in a lungi. The movie will release simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi and will get a theatrical release in the summers this year.
So while talks about the teaser are on, a look at other Indian cricketers who were seen on big screens.
Ajay Jadeja used to be a vital member of the Indian team in the 90s. He even captained the side in a few matches in ODI cricket. However, the match-fixing scandal in 2000 overshadowed his achievements and ruined his career.
After the end of his cricketing career, Jadeja entered the film industry and in the year 2003, acted in the movie 'Khel – No Ordinary Game' co-starring the likes of Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty and Celina Jaitley. Unfortunately, the movie bombed at the box-office. He also starred in the 2009 movie, 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Saat'.
However, his Bollywood career ended as well, and he now devotes his time to cricket analysis and commentary.
Known for being one of the most successful batsmen in India, Sunil Gavaskar had his tryst with the movie industry as well. He acted in a Marathi movie 'Savli Premachi' in 1980 and later starred in a cameo role in 'Malamaal', in 1988.
However, he wasn't seen on the silver screen anymore. He now commentates for India be it at home or away.
Former Indian batsman and chief selector Sandeep Patil in 1985, starred with his teammate Syed Kirmani in the movie 'Kabhi Ajnabi The'.
The movie was much hyped at the time as the two players were still basking in the glory of the 1983 World Cup victory. However, it failed to live up to the expectations and turned out to be a flop at the box-office.
Starring with former Indian batsman and chief selector Sandeep Patil, Syed Kirmani made his debut in the 1985 flick 'Kabhi Ajnabi The'.
He portrayed the role of a villain and though the movie tanked, Kirmani's acting ability, in particular, earned him some high praise.
Making his debut along with Sachin Tendulkar, Salil Ankola did not have a long career in cricket. However, his good looks got him to enter the acting business on a full-time basis.
He acted in movies like 'Kurukshetra', 'Pitaah' and 'Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne' with mixed success. He also acted in the television serial 'Karam Apna Apna' and also appeared in the popular reality television show Big Boss.
He, however, more than 20 years after he had hung his cricket boots up, is finally back in the game. On his Facebook wall, he posted an update that thrilled many people who follow cricket.
In the post, he stated, "Back to where I belong. Proud to be back to Cricket as Chairman of selectors Mumbai senior Ranji trophy team. Back to my first love. Thanks to my association and fellow cricketers for having faith and trust in me. Looking forward. Thanks for always being there for me kiddos and Ria Banerjee Ankola."
Vinod Kambli was in the 90s rated one of the highest prospects for Indian cricket after his exploits in the Mumbai circuit along with his good friend Sachin Tendulkar.
His career, however, soon fizzled out after a promising start and he then turned his attention to acting. One of his notable films is 'Annarth' in which he co-starred along with Sunil Shetty and Sanjay Dutt in 2002.
It was a disaster and tanked at the box office and he hasn't been seen in any other movie ever since.
Kapil Dev, who won the 1983 World Cup for India had tried his luck with Bollywood as well.
Fondly known as 'Haryana Hurricane', the all-rounder starred in a host of movies including 'Stumped', 'Mujhe Shaadi Karogi', 'Iqbal' and 'Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii'. All the movies performed moderately at the box-office.
After his lifetime ban by the BCCI, S Sreesanth tried his luck in the industry. He acted in the Hindi film 'Aksar 2', which did not earn him any accolades. The film performed averagely at the box-office.
He later acted in the sports/romance Malayalam movie 'Team 5', which tanked at the box office and he was later seen on 'Bigg Boss'.