England Duo to Star in Film

[Ollie_H]

England duo land Bollywood roles
Saj Mahmood and Simon Jones
Mahmood and Jones are set to fly out to Australia next week
England bowlers Sajid Mahmood and Simon Jones are among a group of Test players set to feature in an upcoming Bollywood movie about cricket.

'Victory' is the story of a boy who dreams of playing cricket for India and filming has already begun in Sydney.

"I don't have a big role in the movie, I play myself and bowl - that can't be too difficult to do!" said Mahmood.

The film will also feature members of the current India side, as well as Australians Brett Lee and Mike Hussey.

New Zealanders Craig McMillan, Daryl Tuffey and Nathan Astle are also set to appear in the production, which stars Bollywood newcomer Harman Baweja and actress Amrita Rao.

The plot centres around a father who dreams his young son will rise from a small village in Rajasthan to play cricket for India.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan with a Lagaan poster
Lagaan starred Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan

The film is being shot to coincide with India's four-Test tour to Australia, but no official release date has been confirmed.

"I was quite surprised when approached to be involved, but it's a great opportunity to do something very different," said Lancashire seamer Mahmood, who will fly to India after filming to take part in an ECB fast bowling camp in February.

Victory is not Bollywood's first foray into the world of cricket.

Lagaan was released to rapturous reviews in 2001 and was nominated for an Oscar for best foreign language film.

And in 2003 British-made film Wondrous Oblivion told the story of a young Jewish cricket fan growing up next door to West Indian immigrants in south London in 1960.

Sounds Intresting, Looks as if quite a few big names will be on it

 

[Sman-21]

from what th aussie commentators have been saying the movie is mainly about brett lee the other players just have bit parts.

But reading that looks like its nothing to do with brett lee an he just has a bit part also.

 

[shravi]

^He'll just be in there to make mean stares before the ball and show some sparks but then get spanked by the main actor. Otherwise, a last ball six off Lee's over to win the match for India. Either way, it will be either Pakistan or Autralia in the final.

 

[Highlander999]

Sounds good. Glad to see they are concentrating on making films and not training for the new season

 

[irottev]

Ewwww our ICL players are in it.

 

[.Mob]

I promise you now, the film will be shocking.

Other than Lagaan and Iqbal, most sport Bollywood films are rubbish.

 

[Leggie]

I promise you now, the film will be shocking.

Other than Lagaan and Iqbal, most sport Bollywood films are rubbish.

What aout Chak De India?

Anyways nice to see players getting involved in films when they should be training to get into the national squad

Not to mention any names....Saj...

 

[lancashire666]

lancashire are actually supporting him going lol, they are giving him a week off training apparently

 

[usy]

Saj Mahmood has nothing to do now days.

 

[Ollie_H]

Has to earn a living some way

 

[Leggie]

Why have Bollywood called up Sajid Mahmood? He's hardly a role model, I mean he can hardly bowl line and lentgh, the only thing hehas is pace...

 

[Ollie_H]

Probably beacause he has indian Origin and has played for England

 

[Leggie]

Probably beacause he has indian Origin and has played for England

Actually he's got a Pakistani origin but thats included in Bollywood as well but arent film ment to make the viewer go 'Wow, he's good'.....which doesnt really comply to Sajid Mahmood.

 

[Ollie_H]

Ohh sorry. Sub Continent Origin. If im honest im as baffled as you as to why they picked him.

 

[evertonfan]

I'd imagine Mahmood will just be an extra because let's face it, he's used to bowling a few of those.