Saturday, Dec 24, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai Former wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani, who helped India lift the 1983 World Cup, has acted in a Malayalam movie.
Kirmani, who was in Dubai this month to inaugurate the Spring Cricket Academy at the JSS Private School, told Gulf News: “I acted in a Malayalam movie recently because I loved to be involved in experiences that excite and motivate me. The film is titled Mazhavillinattam Vare (Till the End of the Rainbow). It had a good theme which brings about harmony, culture, peace and understanding between India and Pakistan.”
Kirmani acts as a coach in the movie. “The hero of the movie is from Pakistan and comes to India to learn cricket and is looking for an Indian coach. They gave me the role of the coach. I enjoyed every bit of it like I enjoy my life beyond cricket,” said Kirmani, who is now the director of Karnataka State Cricket Academy. The film is directed by Kaithaparam Damodaran Namboothiri, a noted poet and lyricist.
“I had acted earlier in a Hindi movie called Kabhi Ajnabi Thee with Sandeep Patil so it wasn’t a new experience,” added Kirmani.
Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif was supposed to act in Mazhavillinattam Vare but was replaced following the spot-fixing scandal. The director also approached Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez for the role but could not get him due to his tight schedule.
Close interaction
A lot of Indian cricketers are now likely to act in movies due to their close interaction with film actors who are involved with the Indian Premier League. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has agreed to act alongside John Abraham in David Dhawan’s Hindi movie Hook Ya Crook. And Indian pacer Shantakumaran Sreesanth, who is a fine dancer, is keen to act. He even takes time to pen lyrics for a music band.
Many Indian cricketers had acted in movies but none of them could establish themselves as actors. Pacer Salil Ankola acted in movies like Kurukshetra, Pitaah and Chura Liya Hai Tumme but was not successful. He then moved to television and acted in shows like Karam Apna Apna. Vinod Kambli got to act in a movie Annarth in 2002 with Sanjay Dutt and Sunil Shetty.
Few know that even Sunil Gavaskar acted in a Marathi movie Savli Premachi.
By K.R. Nayar?Chief Cricket Writer
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
