Indian sports icons who’ve made the big splash

With Dale Steyn doing the Hollywood flick Family Moon and David Beckham offered The Secret Service, here’s a look at Indian sports icons who’ve made the big splash with mixed results
PACKING A PUNCH
While boxing is still his top priority, Indian boxing’s poster boy Vijender Singh will soon start shooting for Fugly, his Bollywood debut. After being in the news for all the wrong reasons of late (his name was eventually cleared in a sensational drug scandal), Vijender will surely look at this Kabir Sadanand flick as a way of ‘punching’ above his weight when it comes to acting!
A ‘SREE’-SAW BATTLE!
After amusing the nation no end with his on/off-field antics and evoking strong reactions for his alleged involvement in spot-fixing, S Sreesanth is all set to act in a Malayalam film, tentatively titled Big Picture.Apparently, it’s not based on Sreesanth’s life. Should that disappoint us, or shall we thank the makers?
THE ‘DOOSRA’ OPTION! We all want to see him back in Team India, but it will be interesting to see how Harbhajan Singh fares in Bhaji In Problem, a Punjabi comedy produced by Akshay Kumar. Given Harbhajan’s reputation of keeping the dressing room in splits with his funny acts, he should excel in his comic avatar, what say? The two khiladis should create some dhamaal together, as Akshay reportedly plays a cameo in it.
JWALA KA JALWA!
Showcasing some super moves in an item number in Telugu film Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde, Jwala Gutta proved that she can be as agile on the dance floor as on a badminton court! She has said in her interviews that she might consider doing more films after retiring from badminton.
ON THE FAST-TRACK ‘COURT’! While his achievements in tennis did India proud, Leander Paes’ debut film Rajdhani Express never really took off at the BO.
THE FLAMBOYANT STROKEMAKERS
Quite a popular cricketer before the match-fixing scandal broke out, Ajay Jadeja played the lead in Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat and Khel. Vinod Kambli, who didn’t justify his immense talent in cricket, played small roles in Annarth and Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat.
CAMEO KING One of India’s finest all-rounders Kapil Dev has been content playing cameos in Iqbal, Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.
SWITCHING CAREERS
Even though he played a few matches for India, Salil Ankola quit cricket to pursue acting. He went on to do films like Kurukshetra and Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne, and TV shows.
LEGENDS & GENTLEMEN
Anil Kumble played himself in Meerabai Not Out.
Sunil Gavaskar, on the other hand, played an important role in the Marathi film Savli Premachi and a guest role in Maalamal.
A BLAST FROM THE PAST
Former Indian cricketer Salim Durani, known for his stylish strokeplay and impeccable dressing, did Charitra, Parveen Babi’s debut film.
Sandeep Patil did Kabhi Ajnabi co-starring Poonam Dhillon.
Interestingly, Syed Kirmani played a cameo in the same film as the baddie!
Vijay Amritraj, starred in Octopussy and films like Nine Deaths of the Ninja.