Actor Emraan Hashmi and Cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin during a press conference to promote their upcoming film 'Azhar' in New Delhi, on May 10, 2016. Photo: IANSNew Delhi: Mohammad Azharuddin says he is impressed with Emraan Hashmi's work in the upcoming biopic Azhar, where the actor plays the former Indian captain.
Azharuddin said the 37-year-old Hamari Adhuri Kahani actor was "very professional" in the movie.
I loved Emraan's work. He was great in he film, very professional. He did justice to the role. I am hoping people will like the film," the former cricketer told reporters here.
He on Tuesday interacted with the media at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, where he and Emraan offered prayers ahead of the film's release.
Directed by Tony D'Souza, the movie chronicles the life of Azharuddin, who was implicated in a cricket match-fixing scandal in 2000, and banned by BCCI for life. In 2012, however, the Andhra Pradesh High Court lifted the ban, describing it as "unsustainable".
There were reports that Azharuddin was not happy with the film's makers regarding certain scenes. The sportsman, however, said he liked the movie.
"I really liked the film. Now it's left up to the audience to give the verdict. Throughout my life I entertained people, now it's their turn...," Azharuddin said of the movie.
Actors Emraan Hashmi and Prachi Desai and Cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin at the press conference. Photo: IANSAzhar also stars Nargis Fakhri, who will be seen in the role of Azharuddin's second wife and former actress Sangeeta Bijalni, and Prachi Desai as the sportsman's first wife Naureen.
When asked if the film is a true representation of his life, Azharuddin, 53, said, "It shows all events of his life but the makers have taken cinematic liberties by adding song-and-dance, which I did not do in real life."
Mohammed Azharuddin also said that he took a lot of convincing before the film went on floors.
"I took a lot of convincing. When I read the script, I had to change a lot and the makers also agreed to the changes," Azharuddin told reporters here at a press conference Tuesday for the film's promotion.
He denied reports which suggest that actress Sangeeta Bijlani who was also the cricketer's former wife was apprehensive of her depiction in the film.
"I don't think so. Even I have read the reports but I don't know how true are they," he said.
Directed by Tony D'Souza, Azhar, which is jointly produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and MSM Motion Pictures, is set to release on Friday.
