Azhar Was A Better Player Than Sachin

Says Anthony D'souza who is directing Ekta Kapoor's biopic on the former cricketer 



Anthony's first interview on the Azhar biopic

This evening, Ekta Kapoor released the first teaser of the biopic of Mohammad Azharuddin. In his first interview on the film, Anthony shares his thoughts and experiences on the project, which goes on floors next month:

You have a big responsibility on your shoulders...
Yes. I am a huge fan of Azhar. I owe it to him and Ekta to have given me an opportunity to make a film on someone whom I hero worshiped. It's a dream come true for me.

But as far as I know, you knew Azhar before you got the film...
Right, Azhar and I have been friends since many years.

And how did this friendship begin?
I had gone to him as a fan. A common friend of him and I, Akbar, introduced us. After that, we kept in touch.

Have you seen most of his matches?
He played 99 Tests and I must have seen 85 of them. I also saw many of the one-dayers he played. What a player!

But Sachin Tendulkar had burst on the scene when Azhar was still playing...
I personally think that Azhar was a better player than Sachin, he had more flair and style. I know Sachin is worshipped by many people but if I was asked that who are my two best players, I would say Azhar and Kapil (Dev). 

Go on...
Azhar changed the fielding standards in India. His batting style reminded me of Geoff Boycott. He was so wristy, graceful and delicate. Even the sixes he hit over long off and long on were well-timed shots, not heaves.

How did he react when he learnt that you are directing his biopic?
(Laughs) He didn't react; he is a very reserved person.

Which cricketers is Azhar fond of?
Zaheer Abbas, Geoff Boycott, Bishen Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath.

What does Azhar think of Sachin?
Sachin is a legend, Azhar always speaks very highly of him. I have never heard Azhar speak ill of any player.

Emraan was in the film before I got in. He is such an underrated actor. I love the fact that he plays the protagonist.

Did Emraan have to work very hard to get into Azhar's shoes?
Emraan has worked very hard to study Azhar's nuances.

How did Prachi Desai get into the film as Azhar's first wife Naureen?
Ekta, Sameer Nair (Balaji's Group CEO) and Tanveer Bookwalla (Balaji's CCO) thought that she is the best choice for the role.

Will Azhar be training Emraan?
Yes, in fact he will be involved with the film throughout its making.

Is it a tell-all on Azhar?
Azhar's life is an open book. Everyone knows the ups and downs in his life, there's so much of turmoil in his life that lends itself to make a great story.

Even the match-fixing controversy that shrouded him?
We'll be very open on every aspect of his life which really happened. 

Do you agree with Anthony that Azhar was a better player than Sachin? Tell us your views on facebook.com/SpotboyE


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