Cricketers turn Bollywood stars

Sachin Tendulkar: Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar is likely to make an appearance in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's forthcoming film, Ferrari Ki Sawari.

According to reports, the new Rajya Sabha MP has not only allowed the makers to use his name in the film but has also agreed to do a small cameo, for which he will shoot after the current season of IPL gets over. While the makers are tight-lipped about the much hyped cameo, Chopra says he is happy to use Sachin's name in the film. "There is a mention of him in the film. We are happy that we got to use his name in the film."

Chris Gayle: Big hitting West Indies batsman Chris Gayle, who is currently playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore at the on-going Indian Premiere League tournament, says he wants to hit a sixer in Bollywood.

That's not all, the Jamaican player is also confident that he will do well in the Indian film industry. The cricketer had previously discussed a film career with Shah Rukh Khan, and now it seems he wants to “take Bollywood away from Salman.”.

Sunil Gavaskar: Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also tried his luck in movies and played the leading role in Marathi film Savli Premachi but failed to click with the audience. Then years later in 1988, the cricketer-turned-commentator played himself in Hindi film Maalamal with Naseerudin Shah.

That is not all, Gavaskar, who is known as the greatest opening batsmen in cricket history, has also sung a Marathi song Ya Duniyemadhye Thambayaala Vel Konala, which was a hit.

Kapil Dev: Former Indian captain Kapil Dev, who brought home the 84 World Cup, first appeared in a cameo in Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra starrer Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. Later he was also seen in Nagesh Kukunoor's National Award winning film Iqbal and then in Chain Khuli ki Main Khuli.

Ajay Jadeja: Former Indian opener Ajay Jadeja is not new to acting. The cricketer, who was banned for five years following match fixing allegations, has done quite a few roles both on the big and small screens.

Jadeja appeared in 2003 film Khel with Sunny Deol and Sunil Shetty and then in Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath in 2009.

He also participated in the first season of celebrity dance show Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and later appeared on TV in Comedy Circus.

Mohsin Khan: Former Pakistani cricketer, famous in India as yestyear actress Reena Roy's ex-husband, appeared in 12 Hindi films. These included Gunehgar Kaun, Laatsaab, Pratikaar, Fateh, Saathi and Batwaara. He shifted home to Karachi after divorcing Reena Roy.

Vinod Kambli: Former middle order batsman Vinod Kambli also tried his luck in Bollywood but failed. The cricketer, who was famous as the best friend of cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar, appeared in 2002 film Annarth with Sanjay Dutt, Sunil Shetty and then seven years later in Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath with fellow cricketer Ajay Jadeja.

Salil Ankola: Former right arm fast medium bowler Salil Ankola, who played for India in the 1996 World Cup, became a regular face in Bollywood and on television. He was seen in Esha Deol and Zayed Khan starrer Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne (2003). He later shifted focus to TV and was seen in Balaji Telefilms show Karam Apna Apna (2009).

He was also on reality TV show Bigg Boss 1 but was eliminated in the first week itself.

Salim Durrani: Big hitting batsman and slow left arm bowler Salim Durani, also known as the hero of India's series win against England in 1961, romanced the red hot Parveen Babi in Charithra (1973).

The Men in Blue: Indian cricketers Harbhajn Singh, Irfan Pathan, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh, Parthiv Patel, Mohammad Kaif and Navjot Singh Sidhu made a special appearance in Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Akshay Kumar starrer 2004 film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.