There’s a lengthy lecture, just after the curtains roll up, clarifying that “Azhar” is part true, and part fiction.
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Azhar’s first half has been completely interesting as it narrates some crucial points that happened in the real life of Mohammad Azharuddin. It slips out of control from the opening scene, in which disgruntled cricketer Manoj (a clear reference to Manoj Prabhakar, the player who accused Azharuddin and others of throwing matches in the late 1990s) caricaturishly plots a sting operation. As one of the most talented cricketers during the 90s, Azhar takes no time in shooting up to the top and grabbing the captaincy role of the Indian cricket team.
Ms. Prachi Desai who played the role of Ms. Noreen, the former wife of Azharuddin told that she had to work hard for playing this role.
Caught up in the ties of infidelity and false accusation, Azhar has no choice but to prove his innocence.
Emraan Hashmi as Azhar, nailed the role of the legendary cricketer, carrying the ideal emotions.
Music by Amaal Malik was in sync with the movie, and editor of the film needs to be commended for making the cuts at the right time and kept the film very smooth. Kunaal Roy Kapoor as his lawyer fighting an uphill task is also pretty good though I don’t know whether his actual lawyer was really so bumbling in real life.
Apart from Azhar, Indian cricket Ajay Jadeja’s name too popped up in the match fixing controversy, and the duo had a tough time in dealing with the law. Much of the credit is showered on his doting grandpa, who predicted he would “play 100 test matches”. “Everyone would fight about who was going to bat first”.
Emraan Hashmi’s Azhar is in theatres today. The film would be seeing a limited release for itself and its commercial response would be entirely driven by critical acclaim and audience word of mouth. It could have been faster and hit a few more boundaries and sixes dramatically as well as emotionally to give us a greater understanding of the man. At two plus hours it drags bit but Nargis does a far better Oye oye than Ms. Bijlani.
As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, Azharuddin reportedly confessed that he had fixed three one-day matches; the first against South Africa at Rajkot in 1996, then Pepsi Cup matches in Sri Lanka in 1997 and Pakistan in 1999. He left no stone unturned. You wouldn’t want to put it down without giving it a try.
Emraan Hashmi delivers a solid century, a la Azharuddin. A little more rewind and we see his early years. But, they could have focused more on having a grip during climax.
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Prachi Desai too has played more or less the same character through her short career: a simple, innocent, pretty young thing.
