India’s star batsman Virat Kohli is looking forward to watching the biopics of iconic Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Mohamed Azharuddin and Mahendra Singh Dhoni which are scheduled to be released in the coming months.
Batting legend Tendulkar has recently released on his social networking sites the teaser of his biopic, ‘Sachin: A Billion Dreams’, whereas Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi plays the role of Azharuddin in a movie named ‘Azhar’. Actor Sushant Singh Rajput plays Dhoni in a film named ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’.
“I am looking forward to watch all of them. Obviously, the one I am waiting for the most is Tendulkar’s. It is because I am connected with Tendulkar’s memories for such a long time, from when I was a child,” Kohli said yesterday.
“Actually to get into his head, as I have idolised him from the beginning. What has happened in his career will be portrayed in that. I am really looking forward to it,” Kohli said at the launch of Virat FanBox in partnership with Privyplex here.
The 27-year-old batsman has been in sublime form of late, bagging the man-of-the-tournament award in the recently-concluded World Twenty20 event in India and is currently the leading run-scorer (367 runs) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
“Again the other two biopics, MS as well... his journey has been a very very different one. But there are lots of instances that you won’t understand in a cricketer’s life. And the third one, Azharuddin as well, the instances that has happened in his life. So, they are explained properly. And also it is for people to see and learn from, in all the three biopics. So, I am looking forward to all three,” the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper added.
Kohli further said he has learnt to be honest both on and off the field over a period of time which has helped him change the perception of his fans and win back their faith.
“Everyone knows which person (Sachin Tendulkar) I have idolised from the start, there is nothing new in that. He has been my idol from the beginning. At first when my fans grew, that time I was a bit frustrated that people think me to be a different sort of a human being, but I am not of that sort.
“I have worked hard and wanted to change the perception of people, and my friends and family know me how I am. But over a period of time I have learned that you have to be honest and concentrate and be dedicated to your work,” Kohli said.
“And on the field if you be the way you are off the field and play with full dedication, people will accept and be connected to you. Now I am happy that people accept me well and happy that I have been able to change the perception of people. Over a period of time I have learnt that if I am honest in my work it will be noticed by people and other things that they had in mind will be sidelined,” the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper added.

Learnt a lot from Dhoni, Fleming: Raina
Indian batsman Suresh Raina, who for the first time is leading a side--Gujarat Lions in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL)--says he has learnt the tricks of the trade from the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Stephen Fleming who have been successful skippers for their countries.
The Lions are at present second on the points table with eight points from five games, with Raina earning a lot of plaudits for the team’s good showing so far. Raina played eight IPL editions for the now-suspended Chennai Super Kings where Dhoni and Fleming played big roles since the inception of the southern outfit in 2008.
“I have played alongside many players in the IPL who have captained their countries. I have learnt a lot from the likes of Baz (Brendon McCullum), (Dwayne) Bravo, (Stephen) Fleming and (MS) Dhoni,” Raina was quoted as saying by the iplt20 website.
Elaborating on his relationship with Dhoni, the current Rising Pune Supergiants skipper, Raina said: ”I have spent a lot of time with MS over the last 10-15 years and I have seen how he goes about his job as a captain before and during a game.”
“I keep talking to him and asking him questions on the field. He is so calm under pressure and he is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world,” the left-hander added.
“At a very young age, I played with Rahul (Dravid) bhai and Mohamed Kaif (his captain in Uttar Pradesh team) and I gathered a lot from these men. Now that I have this opportunity to lead, I am just trying to put together all that I learned from various captains and do a good job of being one myself.”