Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Cricket greats feature in new Bollywood film
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
World
Cricket greats feature in new Bollywood film
AFP - Tuesday, February 8
Send
IM Story
Print
Cricket greats feature in new Bollywood film
MUMBAI (AFP) - – As teams prepare for the cricket World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, some of the game's greatest players are gearing up for an appearance of a different kind -- in a new Bollywood film.
Former Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram, ex-England captains Nasser Hussain and Graham Gooch, South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs and Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds all feature in "Patiala House", which is to be released on Friday.
The film stars Akshay Kumar, an actor noted more for his action hero roles than his skills with the bat and ball, and tracks tensions between a traditional Punjabi father and his son in the west London suburb of Southall.
"My character Gattu wants to be a cricketer but his family is opposed to it. So, I am trapped between my ambition and my father. He wants me to work in his shop whereas I want to play cricket for England," Kumar told reporters.
Director Nikhil Advani said authenticity was essential with cricket providing the backdrop for the immigrant family drama. Southall has one of the highest concentrations of people of South Asian origin outside the sub-continent.
The script is reminiscent of Gurinder Chadha's 2002 hit "Bend It Like Beckham", set in nearby Hounslow with Parminder Nagra as the second-generation Sikh girl who defies her parents' wishes to play football.
"The film is about a cricketer's life and therefore we have taken many cricketers as actors so that we can get a real look for the film," said Advani.
Akram is rumoured to be playing the young Gattu's bowling coach and the film was shot at Test grounds, including The Oval in south London.
Advani insisted, though, that the cricket is not the central thrust of the story but "the immigrant life... and the generation gap".
The film's release is timely nevertheless, given that cricket's showpiece one-day tournament begins on February 19 and lasts for a marathon six weeks.
Joint hosts India might have been expected to have made more films about cricket given its obsession with the game, the celebrity status of its top players and Bollywood stars part-owning sides in the Indian Premier League.
But they have been few and far between, and suffered varying receptions.
Aamir Khan's 2001 offering "Lagaan" (Tax) -- about a group of poor Indian villagers who take on their British colonial masters at cricket -- was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar and is considered a classic.
"Iqbal", a 2005 film about a cricket-mad boy from a remote Indian village who dreams of playing for the national side, was less successful at the box office.
Sport has provided rich pickings for filmmakers over the world, from biopics like "Raging Bull" and "Ali" to dramas like "Chariots of Fire", "Seabiscuit" or "This Sporting Life".
"Escape To Victory" -- a 1981 film about Allied World War II prisoners who are forced to play the German national side by their Nazi captors -- has become cult viewing among football fans.
It featured former England captain and World Cup winner Bobby Moore, Brazil legend Pele and a string of other former stars alongside top actors Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine and Max von Sydow.
Despite the all-star cast that is likely to be a draw for cricket-loving cinema-goers, Advani said that "Patiala House" reflected life for many Indian youngsters and the sons and daughters of immigrants.
"Many South Asian youngsters sacrifice careers for their family's sake and they never get a second chance to be what they wanted to actually do in real life," he said.
"But in this film Gattu gets a second chance to prove himself as a cricketer."
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - 1 hour 51 minutes ago
"Spider-Man" trapped in web of monumental folly Reuters - 1 hour 51 minutes ago
Keith Olbermann headed to Current TV: Report Reuters - Wednesday, February 9
Horror star Christopher Lee to receive BAFTA award Reuters - Wednesday, February 9
4Minute wins K-pop award in Japan ANN - Wednesday, February 9
News Search
Top Stories
Anglo Irish Bank set to lose 17.6 bln euros
Chechen warlord claims Moscow airport attack
Obama courts top US executives, vows cooperation
Android tops iPhone in US: comScore
Brent oil price climbs back above $100
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
US golfer Woods finds old habits hard to shake
Russia loses military satellite: reports
US auto sales jump 17 percent in January
Dow closes over 12,000 for first time since June 2008
Egypt's Mubarak to step down at September election
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 8 February 2011 South Sudan votes for independence by a landslide
Swiss police comb lakeside area for missing twins
Brotherhood warns it could quit talks with government
US-TECH Summary
'I get it,' Obama tells business, vows cooperation
Russia rebuffs US call for new arms talks
Google exec's release in Egypt confirmed by family
Brent oil price climbs back above $100
Google and EU in antitrust resolution talks: source
UK govt 'helped' Libya over Lockerbie bomber
Lebanon tribunal debates terrorism at first hearing
Afghan handover to start in first half 2011: NATO
|
Packers win NFL Super Bowl
Google exec's release in Egypt confirmed by family
Israel pushes forward disputed Jerusalem buildings
Assange faces 'denial of justice': lawyer
WikiLeaks' founder Assange fights extradition to Sweden
Mubarak fights Egyptian protest with pay rise
Outlawed ETA group forms new party, rejects violence
Haiti protesters want Preval out
|
Nokia up on revamp hopes, E7 starts deliveries
Palestinians ask U.N. recognition for Nativity church
Nokia gets delayed E7 mobile phone in some stores this week
Iran unveils missiles, satellites as warning to foes
Georgian police welcome virtual crime-fighters
Tunisia calls up army reserve to tackle violence
|
Hundreds attend funeral of Guantanamo Bay detainee
Website on defensive over Tibet ad
Bush to face torture case whenever abroad: activists
|
Afghan bombing kills 1; gunmen target local chief
Filmmakers protest Hungarian film industry overhaul
With new executive, Google steps up mobile ad efforts
France loans antique manuscripts back to S. Korea
Thai, Cambodia troops clash for fourth day on border
Top Jordan website back up after hacking
UN urges restraint in deadly Thai-Cambodia clashes
Nokia up on revamp hopes, E7 starts deliveries
Nokia gets delayed E7 mobile phone in some stores this week
Filmmakers protest Hungarian film industry overhaul
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Sony aims to sell more TVs in 2011/12: CFO
"Glee" Super Bowl episode more than doubles audience
With new executive, Google steps up mobile ad efforts
|
Would-be royal brides swoon at waxwork Prince William
Nokia starts shipping delayed E7 smartphone
Nokia up on revamp hopes, E7 starts deliveries
|
Spain's Prado, Russia's Hermitage to swap works
Palestinians want Bethlehem on UN heritage list
Bless me iPhone for I have sinned
|
Small fire in Smithsonian museum
Sumo: Japan TV commercial pulled over scandal
HP's Palm to unveil tablet; challenges loom
|
Armani denies plans for luxury hotel in Russia
TI phone chip to boast interactive projection, 3-D
|
Berlin magic mushroom museum show a major hit
Alcatel creates tiny base stations for data surge
|
Bridgestone is tops in Super Bowl advertising buzz
|
Glee Super Bowl episode more than doubles audience
|
Filming on Hobbit movies to start in March
|
U.S. X Factor to offer large record deal for winner
|
Families hope for freedom of Americans held in Iran
Chechen rebel leader claims Moscow airport bombing
Rumsfeld admits 'possible' Iraq troop mistakes
Cellphone security threats rise sharply
Assange faces 'denial of justice': lawyer
Android tops iPhone in US: comScore
Sprint to sell dual-screen Kyocera phone
Egypt protesters call for push to eject Mubarak
|
NATO service member killed in Afghanistan's south
U.S official's fate may threaten U.S., Pakistan ties: diplomat
|
Obama says U.S. to recognize South Sudan as sovereign
Android tops iPhone in US: comScore
Ken and Barbie's fate put to Facebook vote
South Sudan votes for independence by a landslide
|
Skepticism abounds as rival Koreas meet for talks
|
Intel to ship flawed chipsets in some cases
Islamist rebel says he ordered Russian bombing
|
Kindle puts readers and friends on same page
Uneasy peace holds after Thai, Cambodian troops clash
|
Reuters News names new editor-in-chief
Keith Olbermann headed to Current TV: Report
Bus plunges into ravine in Indonesia, killing 11
Muslim mob burns, ransacks churches in Indonesia
Indonesia demands probe into attack on Muslim sect
Suu Kyi's party seeks talks with West on sanctions
|
Ex-Philippine military chief commits suicide
US soldiers dead in Afghan blast: police
WikiLeaks' founder Assange fights extradition to Sweden
|
'Metrosexuals' on the rise in Pakistan
Suu Kyi party urges talks with West on sanctions
Haiti protesters want Preval out
|
225 rescued in Indonesian ferry fire
South Sudan preserves past to forge a proud future
Thai-Cambodian border quiet after deadly clashes
Fans celebrate Packers' triumph
Keith Olbermann headed to Current TV: Report
Scepticism abounds as rival Koreas meet for talks
'Naked chef' to debut on Hong Kong adult channel
Golden Globes organizers countersue ex-publicist
'Z'-names people react faster than 'A'-names: study
It's money
'The Roommate' moves into box office top spot
Cellphone security threats rise sharply
Junk food diet linked to lower IQ
AOL to buy The Huffington Post for $315 million
|
Sprint to sell dual-screen Kyocera phone
|
"Small Town" crime drama boasts compelling cast
Michael Moore sues Weinsteins over Fahrenheit 9/11
Intel to ship flawed chipsets in some cases
|
Toyota nine-month profits quadruple
Pakistan's Jan CPI up 14.19 pct yr/yr
WikiLeaks' founder Assange fights extradition to Sweden
|
Seoul shares dip 0.6 pct on shipyards, exporters
S.Korea seen intervening to curb won's rise -dealers
Oscar producers seek tweeting moms on awards night
|
Korea Hot Stocks-Steel shares firm on Japan merger plan
Pakistan
Japan shipyards call for currency action: report
Seoul shares dip 0.6 pct on shipyards, exporters
S.Korea department store sales rise sharply in Jan
NZ 91-day T-bills yield 3.07 pct at tender
NY exhibit pays homage to Apollo, black music greats
|
Oscar producers seek tweeting moms on awards night
|
Keith Olbermann headed to Current TV: Report
|
TV cover okayed for trial of Michael Jackson doctor
|
Michael Moore sues Weinsteins over Fahrenheit 9/11
|
Golden Globes organizers countersue ex-publicist
|
Factbox
Chechen warlord claims Moscow airport attack
Afghan leader: NATO reconstruction bases to go
Bomb explodes in central Kabul; no dead reported
Nokia faces key test with strategy announcement
Gunshots heard in centre of Tunis: witnesses
|
Hijacked oil tanker headed towards Somalia
|
Taylor's lawyer storms out of war crimes court
|
Thailand imposes tough security law to control protests
Italy prosecutors to seek immediate trial for PM
|
China's Olympic pollution cuts could reduce cancer
Attack on Indonesia's minority religious sect may reoccur
Horror star Christopher Lee to receive BAFTA award
Religious freedom in Indonesia in tatters: Amnesty
Mexico's wealthiest city struggles with new violence
South Korea cull 'poses environment threat'
FEATURE: Guest workers face hard life in Malaysia
Cricket greats feature in new Bollywood film
Should spies spend more time on Twitter?
|
FEATURE: The comic who can't be cowed
France's Orange ditches Google's DoubleClick for startup OpenX
|
Village near Thai-Cambodia border now a ghost town
China raises interest rates to tame inflation
Asian shares mixed as Dow hits two-year highs
Nokia software choice in focus as Elop takes stage
|
Pakistani rupee at 8-month high vs dollar; stocks ease
India government hit by new telecom scandals
|
Smartphone maker HTC invests in UK, US firms
S.Korea ruling party may consider new budget bill
China creates rare earth strategic reserves
Report: 20 mln N. Koreans rely on market economy
Spider-Man trapped in web of monumental folly
|
Bridgestone is tops in Super Bowl advertising buzz
|
Horror star Christopher Lee to receive BAFTA award
|
Google executive's 12-day Egypt blindfold ordeal
Should spies spend more time on Twitter?
Saudis use Facebook to press for reform
India government hit by new telecom scandals
Bookstores feeling pain from digital technologies
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights