Azhar (film)
| Azhar | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Tony D'Souza |
| Written by | Rajat Aroraa |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | Emraan Hashmi Prachi Desai Nargis Fakhri Lara Dutta |
| Cinematography | Rakesh Singh |
| Edited by | Dev Jadhav |
| Music by | Amaal Mallik Pritam |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Azhar is an upcoming Indian film directed by Tony D'Souza. It is based on certain well known and highly talked about incidents and facts of the former Indian international cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin. Produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor and Sony Pictures Networks, it features Emraan Hashmi, Nargis Fakhri and Prachi Desai in the lead roles.
The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on 13 May 2016.[1][2]
Cast
- Emraan Hashmi as Mohammad Azharuddin
- Nargis Fakhri as Sangeeta Bijlani, the second wife of Azharuddin
- Prachi Desai as Naureen, the first wife of Azharuddin
- Lara Dutta as a lawyer
- Gautam Gulati as Ravi Shastri
- Manjot Singh as navjot Singh Sidhu
- Kunaal Roy Kapur as a lawyer
- Rajesh Sharma as M.K. Sharma
Azhar Synopsis
“Azhar” is based on certain well known and highly talked about incidents and facts of the former Indian international cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin, who ended up becoming the country’s most controversial sportsman yet. From setting world records that are yet to be broken, to getting embroiled in the first ever match fixing scandal the country witnessed, the film traces Azhar’s insurmountable highs and his tremendous lows.
The film begins with Azhar as a young child from a middle class home in Hyderabad who dreams of becoming a cricketer and captures his entry on sheer merit in the professional arena of Indian cricket as a teenager. Drawing parallels with his personal and professional life, we are introduced to a young and shy Azhar who’s arranged marriage with Naureen throws light on his private world that was forever closed to the media and the public glare.
His rise as the captain of Indian cricket team shows us the metamorphoses of the man who enjoys a flamboyant life style and has become accustomed to the adulation of fans and the media. At this point, Sangeeta enters the scene. Azhar’s eventual marriage with the actress changes his life forever.
Even as Azhar is set to create a record of having played 100 test matches, the biggest twist in his career comes when he is accused of being involved in the match fixing scandal. The first ever controversy of this magnitude, witnessed by the country, cuts short his career bringing him much shame and ignominy.
From being labelled a living legend, Azhar becomes an accused. How that change happens and what Azhar goes through when faced with life-damning allegations- form the crux of the story. Though the film is not a biopic, for the first time, Azhar, the film, provides us with the inner view of a much publicized life and times, of the cricketing hero who fell from grace and changed the gentleman’s game forever.
Production
As early as June 2013, producer Ekta Kapoor had spoken of her plans and signed a contract with cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin to make this film based on certain well known and highly talked about incidents and facts of Azharrudin's life. At that time actors Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh were on her wish list.[3] Azharuddin was quizzical over the film until after he had read a copy of the script presented to him by director D’Souza.[4]
Filming
Filming started in May 2015. Various scenes for the film have been shot at Lords, the Oval, Cantebury, Derby and Edgbaston cricket grounds and other places in the United Kingdom including Harleyford Manor, Virginia Water, Mayfield Lavender Farm, and Windsor.[5]
The first schedule of the film was completed in October 2015 in London and the second schedule also completed in Hyderabad.[6]
Music
| Untitled | |
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The Soundtrack of Azhar has music Composed by Amaal Mallik and Pritam. Two of the songs are sung by KK and Sonu Nigam.
Production
Earlier, Pritam was supposed to compose music for the complete album but due to health issues, he was not able to follow the deadline.[7] Amaal Mallik was then roped in to compose music for the film.[8] T-Series holds the Music Rights for the Film.
The First single, "Bol Do Na Zara" sung by Armaan Malik was released on 8 April 2016.[9]
References
- ^ "Emraan transforms into cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin in Azhar trailer". DC. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ "Emraan Hashmi turns Azharuddin on ‘Azhar’ poster"
- ^ "Ekta Kapoor plans to make film on Azharuddin's life". The Times of India. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ Kamat, Mayur (22 May 2015). "'Azhar' is about my God, my marriage & match-fixing: Azharuddin on biopic". Mid-Day. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Anthony Dsouza to shoot Azhar bio pic at Lords | Bollywood News | Hindi Movies News | Celebrity News". BollywoodHungama.com. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ "KoiMoi - Emraan Hashmi Gears Up For The 2nd Schedule Of 'Azhar' In Hyderabad". M.koimoi.com. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ "Amaal Malik steps in place of Pritam". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ Baddhan, Raj (26 March 2016). "Amaal Mallik replaces Pritam as music director of 'Azhar'". www.media247.co.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ Chandel, Rajani (8 April 2016). "'Azhar' song 'Bol do na zara' - Emraan Hashmi and Nagris Fakhri's sizzling chemistry leaves us breathless!". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 April 2016.