In comparison to Bollywood, we are still way behind: Shahid Afridi

Cricketer says Main Hoon Shahid Afridi could have been much better.

KARACHI:

If Pakistan has one ‘icon’ who is cherished by both the young and the old, men and women, it is most definitely cricketing star Shahid Afridi. While he was spending time in the nets at Harare to bring some consistency after his miraculous comeback to the Pakistani cricket squad, the makers of Main Hoon Shahid Afridi were all set to release the much-awaited, first-ever sports film.

The film released to quite a buzz on August 23. Afridi had a great start, both in Harare and Pakistan, but much like the signature Afridi form, performances on both sides flattened as time passed by, with the film still doing better than the all-rounder.

After almost a month into the film’s release, Afridi reached Atrium Cinemas on Thursday night to witness his own stardom. The whole entertainment industry put together doesn’t gather as much attention as he did alone, a fact evidenced by the swelling throngs that tailed him as he made his way to the show.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Afridi, who is a genuine movie buff (Karan Johar’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Gladiator are all-time favourites) felt the movie was just about satisfactory.

“There is nothing extraordinary about the film — it’s an okay film keeping Pakistani standards in mind, but in comparison to Bollywood, we are still way behind,” says Afridi in an exclusive with The Express Tribune. “I mean for a first-time film-maker, it’s an okay film. It is the word that best describes it but I appreciate the effort put in by Humayun and his team.”

Apart from the high-production value of MHSA, the movie is about what it takes to achieve one’s dreams and how difficult it is to pursue a career in cricket in Pakistan — an issue that Afridi believes was done complete justice to.

“The social issues are tackled very naturally [in the film] and I know people who have gone through similar problems. The environment of the dressing room and the team was very relatable. Even the kid who aspires to be me did a good job as an actor,” he says.

While he enjoyed actor Noman Habib’s performance amongst all others, Afridi was quick to point out a loophole in the film which most cinema enthusiasts failed to recognise — something quite personal to Afridi. “If the kid was so inspired by my life, career and personality, then how could he only bat throughout the film, and not bowl a single delivery? I mean, leg spin has always been my strength,” he says in amusement.

Prior to the release of the film, Afridi had expressed reservations regarding ‘obscene content’ in the film, especially the item number performed by Mathira. Some may have termed it a publicity stunt, but ironically nothing was edited out. “All I can say is that it is obscene, and that is exactly why I went to watch the film alone. It all depends on how you have been brought up by your family. I didn’t take mine to the cinema, the rest is up to the people” says Afridi.

The film, earlier titled Boom Boom, was later renamed Main Hoon Shahid Afridi — making most cricket fans believe it is a biopic on Shahid Afridi. However, this gimmick worked in favour of the makers and attracted a lot of viewers. The film is doing well on the local box office, and has already earned Rs50 million. However, the quality of the film is rather disappointing, and the critics feel that it couldn’t really do justice to Shahid Afridi’s stature — the only true superstar in Pakistan.  But what does Afridi himself have to say about that? “I agree with the critics,” says Afridi. “It could have been much better.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2013.

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