Cricket and Bollywood have always had a magical connection, with stars appearing at cricket games to cheer their favourite players. Even the other way, players have appeared in Bollywood movies many a times.
Here are top 10 cricketers who have appeared in Bollywood:
Yuvraj Singh:
Wondering where you’ve seen Yuvraj Singh in a movie? Don’t fret. He played a very small role when he was the voice of a character in the 2008 animated movie, Jumbo. The movie did okay but Yuvraj Singh stuck to his day job.
Yuvi also played a cameo in a Punjabi movie at the age of 11.
Sunil Gavaskar:
Gavaskar is one of the most successful and legendary batsmen to have represented the country. He even played a role in a Marathi movie whilst still playing for the national team. The movie was called “Savli Premachi” and it was released in 1980.
Gavaskar has also sung a Marathi song wherein he compares the cricketing life to that of a reality and it was well received.
Ajay Jadeja:
The former cricketer was famous for being a good fielder and a useful batsman whenever called upon. However, the match fixing scandal put an end to his career and he tried his hand at acting in a movie called “Khel” in 2003. The movie did terribly and Jadeja came back to cricket, this time as a commentator.
Vinod Kambli:
Another player who came out from Mumbai as a wonderful talent with Sachin was Vinod Kambli. His lack of discipline cost him his cricketing career and he turned to Bollywood as an alternative in 2000. He acted in a movie called “Aanarth” opposite Suneil Shetty, but that movie bombed too.
Kapil Dev:
The legendary Indian captain was another one who found success both on and off the field. After his retirement from cricket, having won us a World Cup, Kapil charmed audiences with small roles in movies such as “Iqbal”, “Mujse Shaadi Karoge” and “Stumped”.
Syed Kirmani:
Kirmani was known as one of the best wicket-keepers to have ever played for India and his outspoken personality helped him get roles in Bollywood too. He acted in a 1985 movie called “Kabhi Ajnabi The”.
Sandeep Patil:
Kirmani’s role in the movie “Kabhi Ajnabi The” was opposite another famous cricket, Sandip Patil. The movie did not do well and the experiment to try two cricketers in movies was not really attempted since then.
Salil Ankola:
The former Indian cricketer was never really successful as a cricketer but he did find some success as an actor. His roles in serials like “Chahat aur Nafrat” and “Kurukshetra” have been good.
Yograj Singh:
Yuvraj Singh’s father was popular for being an actor more than a cricketer as he played only 1 test and 6 ODIs for the country. He did act in 30 Punjabi movies with his most famous role being the coach of Milkha Singh in “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”.
By Rohit Nair
