List Of Movies In Which Cricketers Acted

Cricketers Who Ventured into Acting: A Look at Their Movie Appearances

Cricket and cinema are two of the biggest passions in India and many other cricket-loving nations. Over the years, several cricketers have attempted to translate their on-field charisma onto the silver screen. While some made brief appearances, others took on lead roles. Here’s a list of notable cricketers who have acted in movies across various film industries.

1. Sunil Gavaskar – Savli Premachi (1980) & Maalamaal (1988)

One of India’s greatest batsmen, Sunil Gavaskar, made a guest appearance in the Marathi film Savli Premachi (1980). Later, he played himself in the Hindi movie Maalamaal (1988), where he had a small but memorable role. His presence added authenticity to the cricket-themed film.

2. Kapil Dev – Dillagi… Yeh Dillagi (1983), Iqbal (2005), Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii (2007), and Others

India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has acted in multiple films. He had cameo roles in Iqbal, a movie about a deaf and mute boy aspiring to play cricket for India, and Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii, a children’s film about a magical bat. He also appeared in several other movies and television series over the years.

3. Sachin Tendulkar – Sachin: A Billion Dreams (2017)

While not a fictional film, Sachin: A Billion Dreams is a docudrama based on the life of the cricketing legend. Sachin Tendulkar played himself, recounting his journey from a young boy with dreams to becoming the ‘God of Cricket.’ The film was widely appreciated by his fans.

4. Sandeep Patil – Kabhie Ajnabi The (1985)

Former India cricketer Sandeep Patil played the lead role in Kabhie Ajnabi The, a Bollywood film that also starred his teammate Syed Kirmani. Despite high expectations, the movie failed at the box office, and Patil soon returned to cricket and coaching.

5. Vinod Kambli – Annarth (2002)

Vinod Kambli, known for his aggressive batting, tried his luck in Bollywood with Annarth, a 2002 action film starring Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty. Kambli played a pivotal role, but his acting career didn’t take off.

6. Ajay Jadeja – Khel (2003) & Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat (2009)

Ajay Jadeja acted in the film Khel alongside Sunny Deol and Sunil Shetty. He later appeared in Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat, but his film career did not reach the heights of his cricketing career.

7. Salil Ankola – Multiple Bollywood and TV Shows

Salil Ankola, a former India fast bowler, had a more successful transition to acting than most cricketers. He has appeared in several Bollywood films and TV serials, including Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne and Kurukshetra. He became a regular in Indian television with shows like Karam Apnaa Apnaa.

8. Yograj Singh – Punjabi Cinema & Bollywood Films

Yograj Singh, the father of Yuvraj Singh and a former cricketer, turned to acting after retiring from cricket. He has been a prominent figure in Punjabi cinema and has appeared in Bollywood films like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013).

9. Brett Lee – UnIndian (2015)

Australian fast bowler Brett Lee starred in the Indo-Australian romantic comedy UnIndian, where he played the lead role opposite Tannishtha Chatterjee. The film showcased his softer side and was well-received in international markets.

10. Andrew Flintoff – Love, Lies and Records (TV Series)

English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff dabbled in acting through television. He appeared in the British drama Love, Lies and Records, showcasing his versatility beyond the cricket field.

11. Harbhajan Singh – Friendship (2021)

Harbhajan Singh, the legendary Indian spinner, played a lead role in the Tamil film Friendship (2021). The film was a college drama that showcased his acting skills beyond his usual cricketing persona.

12. Irfan Pathan – Cobra (2022)

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan made his acting debut in the Tamil film Cobra, playing a significant role. His performance was well received by fans who admired his new avatar.

13. M.S. Dhoni – Guest Appearances & Biopic

While M.S. Dhoni did not act in a fictional film, his life was portrayed in M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) by Sushant Singh Rajput. Dhoni, however, has made cameo appearances in advertisements and promotional videos that display his on-screen presence.

14. Anil Kumble – Kannada Films (Cameos)

Anil Kumble has appeared in a few Kannada films in guest roles, enhancing their cricketing appeal. His association with Karnataka cinema remains a special aspect of his post-cricket journey.

15. Virat Kohli – No Films, But A Strong Screen Presence

Though Virat Kohli has not acted in films, his charismatic presence in advertisements and promotional videos suggests he could succeed if he ever chooses to enter the film industry.

Conclusion

While most cricketers remain committed to their game, some have explored acting as an alternate career. Although few achieved major success in cinema, their film appearances remain memorable for their fans. Cricketers bring authenticity to sports-themed movies and often serve as an inspiration for filmmakers.

The trend of cricketers venturing into films continues, and it will be interesting to see which future stars take the plunge into acting. As cricket and cinema remain two of the biggest entertainment sources, the intersection between them will always generate excitement among fans.