Cricket and the Film Industry have been inseparable. The connection between the two different fields remains stronger and getting more familiar. While Several Cricketers are linked with B-town beauties, the industry has also made various movies related to cricket. Movies like ‘Lagan’, ‘Kai Po Che’, and ‘MS Dhoni: the untold story’ are some of the blockbusters by Bollywood. There are several cricketers who have acted in movies. From young Yuvraj Singh aka Yuvi in ‘Mehendi Sagna Di’ to Sunil Gavaskar in ‘Savli Premachi’, there are many Cricketers listed here below who were featured in movies.
1. Yuvraj Singh
Before venturing into cricket, he used to work as a child artist along with his father, Yograj Singh in Punjabi movies. After years, the young lad shifted his career from Films to Cricket. Though he is no more in the acting field, Camera continuously follows the Former Indian Superstar, when caught by the paparazzi and reporters.
2. Ajay Jadeja
One of the Best Fielder of the Indian Team, who also captained the team in a few matches in ODI stepped into the film industry in the year 2003 after his Career ended in cricket. His debut movie was ‘Khel’ with Sunil Shetty and Sunny Deol. He also acted in ‘Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath’ which was directed by V.K. Kumar and was released in 2009. He did a cameo role in Abhishek Kapoor’s film ‘Kai Po Che’.
3. Kapil Dev
Whenever we hear his name, a Sturdy Iconic Man with a thick black mustache lifting the World Cup strikes our mind. The man, who won the maiden World Cup for India, had acted in a few movies too. He was first seen in P Akash’s ‘Dillagi... Yeh Dillagi’, Karanjeet Saluja’s ‘Chain Kuli Ki Main Kuli’, David Dhawan’s ‘Mujse Shaadi Karogi’ and Nagesh Kukunoor’s ‘Iqbal’.
4. Sunil Gavaskar
Fondly known as The Little Master, who is famous as one of the greatest opening batsmen in Indian Cricket history. He was not just a Star both on and off the field. He also appeared in two movies. The Former India Player was first starred in a Marathi movie ‘Savli Premachi’ which was released in the year 1980. He did the cameo role in ‘Maalamaal’ which was also starring Naseeruddin Shah, directed by Kewal Sharma. It was a Hindi- Comedy movie released in 1988.
5. Salil Ankola
Former International Cricketer who became an Indian Actor after failing to make his Career in Cricket. He still cherishes the fact that he and master blaster Sachin Tendulkar made their test debut together. He is famous for playing God Surya in ‘Karma Phal Data Shani’. He made his film debut through the 2000 Hindi film ‘Kurukshetra’ in which he played the role of a cop with Sanjay Dutt. In 2002, his Movie ‘Pitaah’ was released, and his last Major Release was ‘Chura Liya Hai Tune’ in 2003. In the year 2003 only, he played the character of a Cricket Captain in the movie ‘Silence Please…. The Dressing Room’. He had also acted in many Indian soap operas like ‘Karam Apna Apna,’ ‘Rishtey,’ ‘shhh… koi hai,’ ‘Noor Jahan’ and many more. He also participated in the first season of Bigg Boss in the year 2006.
6. Brett Lee
One of the Best fast Bowler of his time in Australian Cricket, Brett Lee is a Former Cricketer who took retirement from all formats in January 2015. Many people know that he had his cinematic debut in the Indo-Australian movie ‘Unindian’, But No! The Fast Bowler already made his debut 26 years back in an Australian film named ‘Babe’ which was released back in 1995. He played the role of a pig handler in that Movie. ‘Unindian’ was shot in Sydney which was also starring Akash Khurana, Supriya Pathak, and Tannishtha Chatterjee. The Legendary Hit duo of Salim-Sulieman has given the music to this movie.
7. Vinod Kambli
Former Indian Batsman was Especially known for Pugnacious Batting. He made his small screen debut with a serial named ‘Miss India’ in 2002 on DD national. With a Vibrant Personality, he had also featured in a couple of Bollywood Movies. In 2002, he acted in ‘Anarth’ which also starred Suniel Shetty. Then in 2009, along with Former India Cricketer Ajay Jadeja, he was featured in the movie ‘Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath’.
8. Salim Durani
Salim Durani is a former Indian cricketer who played from 1960 to 1973. He was one of the Handsome and Charming Sportsperson. He made his debut in films opposite late Parveen Babi in the movie ‘Chaitra’ which was released back in 1973. This movie failed to impress the audience. Salim had also acted in the movie ‘Ek Masoom’.
9. Mohsin Khan
He is the first Pakistani Cricketer who is linked with Bollywood. He was once the Chief Selector of the Pakistan Cricket Team. Earlier, he had acted in many Urdu films in Pakistan and then made his Bollywood debut in 1989 with JP Dutta’s Film ‘Batwara’. The Film also Starred Legendary Actors like Dharmendra, Shammi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Amrita Singh, Dimple Kapadia, Poonam Dhillon and Amrish Puri. Mohsin Khan was also part of Movies like ‘Saathi’ with Aditya Pancholi in 1991 and ‘Fateh’ with Sanjay Dutt.
10. Yograj Singh
Father of Yuvraj Singh, a Former Cricketer who had only played 1 Test match and 6 ODI matches for India. His Cricket Career came to an end after his Injury, so he entered the field of Punjabi cinema. He found his success in acting domain. He is one of the much-known names on the Silver Screen. The Actor acted in more than 30 Films in Punjabi and 10 Hindi Films. He gained a lot of praise after portraying Milkha’s coach in the Legendary Movie ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.’
