We have often seen movies and cricket has a connection in India
In a recent interview on Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube channel, Tamil Nadu leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy revealed his interest in film-making. In fact, before starting his cricket career, he appeared in a cameo role in a movie named Jeeva as a cricketer. In the interview, he expressed that he has a knack for film. In the future, he wishes to explore film-making and has already written a script for Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay, who retired from films in February 2024 and ventured into politics. Varun revealed, "I have also written a story for him (Vijay). If he asks for it, I will give him a chance to make a comeback."
We have often seen movies, and cricket is a connection in India. So, in the article, we present a few names who have been associated with the film industry.
The first Indian captain to win a World Cup has been featured in too many films and mainly portrayed himself. We have seen him in 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi', 'Iqbal' in 2005, and 'Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii' in 2007. In 2021, his biography film 83, portrayed by Ranveer Singh, also featured him. Lastly, he was seen in 'Double XL' in 2022 and 'Lal Salaam' in 2024.
Former World Cup-winning captain MS Dhoni has opened a production company named Dhoni Entertainment with his wife, Sakshi Dhoni. In January 2023, the company announced its first film, Let's Get Married, which was released in theatres in July. The movie had a box office collection of 8.65 crores. Sakshi stated that Captain Cool might come to the screen later if there's an appropriate script. The production house might even launch the former captain as a hero in an action-packed movie.
Harbhajan Singh's debut film was Mujhse Shaadi Karogi in 2004, and it starred Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. After the 2004 flick, he made cameos in 'Victory' in 2009, 'Bhaji in Problem' in 2013, 'Second Hand Husband' in 2015, and featured as a lead in a Tamil movie named 'Friendship' in 2021. He even married Bollywood actress Geeta Basra, who had a lead role in the movie 'The Train' opposite Emraan Hashmi.
Sreesanth's cricketing career was marred due to numerous off-the-field distractions. Therefore, when the doors of cricket were closed, he ventured into the movie business. He was seen in 'Aksar 2' in 2017, 'Team 5' in 2017, 'Cabaret' in 2019, 'Kempe Gowda 2' in 2019, and 'Kaathuvaakula 'Rendu Kaadhal' in 2022. He even participated in the Hindi reality show Bigg Boss 12 and won the competition in 2018.
The Gabbar of Indian cricket made his Bollywood debut in the 2022 film Double XL. The movie's plot revolves around two women living in London who deal with obesity. Sonakshi Singha and Huma Qureshi play the lead roles.
Lastly, Ajay Jadeja has also appeared in various movies besides coaching and commentary. We saw him acting in Khel in 2003 alongside Sunil Shetty and Sunny Deol and in Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat in 2009. He was also seen as himself in the commentary box of the movie Kai Po Che.
Other cricketers associated with movies are Sunil Gavaskar, Sandip Patil, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Irrfan Pathan, Vinod Kambli, and Salil Ankola.
