Darbhanga (Bihar): Cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad is all set to debut as an actor in a film which focuses on Bihar's falling behind in the national cricket scene after bifurcation 15 years ago.
The third-term Lok Sabha member from Darbhanga is shooting for the movie "Kirket" at different locations in Darbhanga. The popular game is colloquially referred as Kirket in Bihar.
Asked how easy is acting, Azad told PTI on location, "Since I am enacting the character of myself, it comes naturally and I find no reason to be afraid of facing the camera during shoots."
He said besides Darbhanga, the film's shooting would also take place in Patna, Noida and Mumbai.
The movie, scripted by Vishal Vijay Kumar, who had penned the story of Sunny Doel's new movie "Ghayal Once Again" and directed by Joginder Singh, is expected to hit the screen early next year, its producer Sonu Jha said.
Jha said Sonam Chabbra is the lead female character in the movie.
Azad said the BJP MP from Patna Sahib, Shatrughan Sinha would also make a special appearance in the film. The guest actor-cricketer line-up includes BS Bedi, Manoj Prabhakar, Ajay Jadeja, Maninder Singh and Surendra Khanna, Azad said.
Famous International Umpire SK Bansal has also essayed a role in the movie.
Azad, a member of India's victorious team in 1983 World Cup in England, has been involved in protracted fight for grant of the BCCI affiliation to Bihar for resumption of cricket-related activities.
After being kept away from BCCI since bifurcation of the state into Jharkhand in 2000, Bihar has been accorded status of Associate member of the apex cricketing body of the country recently.
Azad, son of former Bihar Chief Minister and respected Congress leader Bhagwat Jha Azad, was born in Bihar but played for Delhi throughout his career in Ranji and other domestic tournaments and went on to represent the country in Tests and One-Day Internationals.
