The top 10 cricketers who acted in Bollywood are mentioned in the article below. Recently, Shikhar Dhawan, who has become India’s captain for the ODI series against South Africa, has also made his debut in Bollywood. On Wednesday, along with Huma Qureshi, he was seen in the trailer for the upcoming movie Double XL on Instagram.
Cricket and Bollywood are often called the twin engines of the Indian entertainment industry. It has also been seen that many movies in Bollywood have cricket as the subject of the movie. But the popular international players acting in the movies were rare. But we have found a few cricketers who have acted in the movies in Bollywood. We all know how better cricketers are in acting so here is an article on the top 10 cricketers who acted in Bollywood.
Top 10 cricketers who acted in Bollywood–
Here we present the list of the top 10 cricketers who have acted in Bollywood:-
1. Yuvraj Singh
RephraseYuvraj Singh, a knowledgeable cricketer, has amassed a total of 11,778 runs and captured 148 wickets in his international cricket career. Additionally, he has showcased his talent in the Punjabi films “Putt Sardaran De” and “Mehndi Shagna Di,” both of which he starred in at the young age of 11 in 1992.
The recipient of the Arjuna Award has not only worked as an actor in movies but also served as a voiceover artist in the animated film ‘Jumbo’ released in 2008.
2. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev is a world-cup winning captain, in 1983 India won First World-cup in cricket history. He has been featured in various Bollywood movies. He has acted in Chain Kulli ki Main Kulli, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, and Iqbal. All of these movies have become very famous. In all of these movies, he was seen to be played as a jovial character who was always a down-to-earth person.
3. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh, the famous cricketer who was loved by everyone has also made appearances in Bollywood movies. He has acted in the movies named Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, and two Punjabi films named ‘Bhaji in Problem’ and ‘Second Hand Husband’.
In the same scene where Kapil Dev was seen in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Harbhajan Singh was also been seen. He made his first lead role in the movie name Friendship in 2021, it is a sports comedy movie, directed by John Paul Raj and Sham Surya. The Indian off-spinner has also acted in the Karthik Yogi-directed Dikkiloona’.
4. Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan, one of the best fast-bowling all-rounders India has ever produced, now he is a known voice in the commentary. He made his film debut in 2022 named ‘Cobra’. It is written and directed by R. Ajay Gnanamuthu, this movie is a psychological thriller where we have seen Pathan playing the role of an Interpol agent and receiving immense praise on social media.
5. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar is a legendary Indian batsman. He made his debut in a lead role in a 1980 movie named Savli Premachi. Although the movie did not perform well, he again made his comeback in the movie Malamaal along with Naseeruddin Shah, where we have seen Sunil Gavaskar defeat Naseeruddin’s character Rajkumar in a friendly celebrity cricket match.
6. Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan, a highly acclaimed sports personality, represents the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League and Delhi in first-class cricket. Breaking new ground, Shikhar is preparing to step into the world of acting with his debut film, “Double XL,” alongside Huma Qureshi and Sonakshi Sinha. The film is scheduled to release on November 4.
Expressing his thoughts on his role, Shikhar shared, “As an athlete representing the nation, life is always incredibly busy. One of my favorite pastimes is watching entertaining films. When this opportunity came my way and I heard the story, it left a profound impact on me. It carries a beautiful message for society as a whole, and I hope it inspires countless young girls and boys to relentlessly pursue their dreams.”
7. Vinod Kambli
Vinod Kambli, a former Indian cricketer, made his mark as a left-handed middle-order batsman representing the national team. In addition to his cricketing career, Kambli has showcased his expertise as a commentator on various television channels. During the 2019 Cricket World Cup, he served as a cricket expert for a Marathi news channel. Apart from his involvement in cricket, Kambli has ventured into the realm of entertainment, participating in reality shows and featuring in a few television serials. Furthermore, he has made appearances as an actor in films such as “Annarth,” “Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat,” and a Kannada film titled “Bettanagere.”
8. Ajay Jadeja
Ajay Jadeja, a prominent figure in Indian cricket during the ’90s, left a lasting impression on the field. One of his most memorable performances was his crucial cameo in the quarter-final match against Pakistan during the 1996 Cricket World Cup in Bengaluru. Representing India, he contributed significantly in 15 Test matches and 196 One Day Internationals.
Beyond cricket, Jadeja explored the world of acting. He appeared in the 2003 film “Khel,” sharing the screen with Sunny Deol and Sunil Shetty. Additionally, he showcased his acting skills in the 2009 movie “Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat,” directed by V.K. Kumar. Furthermore, Jadeja took part in the celebrity dance show “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa” as a contestant. Fans also caught a glimpse of him in Abhishek Kapoor’s film “Kai Po Che!” in a cricket commentator role, playing himself in a cameo appearance.
9. Yograj Singh
Yograj Singh, the father of cricketer Yuvraj Singh, is a retired cricketer himself. He represented India in one Test match and six One Day Internationals as a right-arm fast-medium bowler. In addition to his cricket career, Yograj has also ventured into Bollywood, appearing in films such as “Teen Thay Bhai,” “Singh is Bling,” and “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.”
10. Salil Ankola
Salil Ankola may not have achieved great success in the realm of cricket, but he successfully established a presence on Indian television. One of his notable roles was in the TV series “Chahat Aur Nafrat.” Additionally, he garnered attention through his appearances in films like “Kurukshetra” and “Chura Liya Hai Tumne.” However, it was his involvement in the renowned horror show “Ssshhhh… Koi Hai” that brought him considerable fame. Salil still holds dear the fact that he made his test debut in the same match as the cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
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FAQ
Who are the top cricketers who acted in Bollywood?
Sachin Tendulkar: The legendary Indian cricketer appeared as himself in the Bollywood film “Stumped” (2003) and also made a cameo in “Bhoothnath” (2008).Sunil Gavaskar: The former Indian cricketer had a brief acting stint and appeared in the Marathi film “Savli Premachi” (1980).Kapil Dev: The World Cup-winning former Indian captain appeared in the film “Iqbal” (2005), where he played himself.Vinod Kambli: The former Indian cricketer made his acting debut in the Marathi film “Annarth Ek Adhuri Kahani” (2010).S. Sreesanth: The Indian cricketer, who has also been a part of various reality shows, made his acting debut in the Bollywood film “Aksar 2” (2017).
<strong>Did Syed Kirmani, the former Indian wicketkeeper, act in any Bollywood movies?</strong>
Syed Kirmani acted in the Kannada movie “Kirket” and the Hindi film “Kudla Cafe.
<strong>Which famous cricketer made a guest appearance in the Bollywood film "Bhoothnath Returns"?</strong>
Cricketer Kieron Pollard made a guest appearance in the movie “Bhoothnath Returns.
<strong>What kind of roles do they typically play?</strong>
Many cricketers play themselves in biopics or sports-themed films, leveraging their existing fame and cricketing knowledge. Others venture into action, comedy, or romance genres, testing their acting abilities and audience appeal.
<strong>Which cricketer holds the record for most appearances in Bollywood films?</strong>
Kapil Dev holds the record for most appearances in Bollywood films with a total of 14 films to his credit. He made his debut in the 1983 film “Victory” and went on to star in films like “Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao” and “Kartavya.”
<strong>Are cricketers more successful in Bollywood compared to other sports personalities?</strong>
Success in Bollywood for cricketers versus other sports personalities depends on various factors, including individual talent, opportunities, and audience reception. Cricketers may have broader appeal due to cricket’s popularity in India.
<strong>Are there any upcoming projects featuring cricketers in Bollywood that fans should look out for?</strong>
People may be interested in learning about any upcoming films or projects involving cricketers in Bollywood.
<strong>What are the opinions of critics and experts on the acting abilities of these cricketers?</strong>
This question delves into the professional assessments and opinions of industry insiders on the cricketers’ performances in Bollywood movies.
<strong>Do these cricketers actively pursue acting alongside their cricket careers?</strong>
Some cricketers may actively pursue acting alongside their cricket careers, while others may view acting as a secondary interest or opportunity that arises intermittently.
<strong>Is there a specific genre of films that cricketers tend to act in?</strong>
Cricketers who act in Bollywood films have been seen in various genres, including dramas, comedies, and action films, depending on their individual interests and the opportunities available to them.
<strong>In which Bollywood film did Vinod Kambli act?</strong>
Vinod Kambli acted in the Bollywood movie “Annarth” (2002) where he played himself.
