Subhash K Jha (DNA; February 17, 2014)

The bio-pic on former captain Azharuddin, to be produced by Ekta Kapoor, is being done with the iconic cricketer’s approval and active participation. Director Kunal Deshmukh and writer Rajat Aroraa are currently trailing Azharuddin and trying to collect as much first-hand information from the cricketer as possible.

Kunal has the daunting task of directing the bio-pic on him and is currently in a dilemma as to which episodes in the cricketer’s life to assimilate into the screenplay. The conflict facing the film’s creative team pertains to which stage of Azhar’s life the film should focus on. If the screenplay finally opts to address the cricketer’s younger days the actor likely to play him is Sushant Singh Rajput who comes from a family with a history of cricket. In his first film also he played a cricket coach.

However, if the film focuses on the later, darker phase of Azhar’s life then Ajay Devgn is the actor most likely to play him.

Says a source close to the project, “Now that Azharuddin is on board, the screenplay has to tread cautiously. There are many controversies in his life. These would have to be left out or played down in the film.”

Deshmukh says it’s too early to discuss the details. “Right now the idea is to try and spend as much time with the man as possible. I am meeting him whenever he has time from Parliamentary sessions.”