Match-fixing kills spirit of the game says Emraan Hashmi

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, who made his acting debut with Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Footpath’ (2003) and followed it with superhit erotic-thriller ‘Murder’ (2004), feels that match-fixing like acts in any sport reduces the spirit of the game.

Hashmi is playing the role of former Indian Cricket team captain Mohammed Azharuddin in the upcoming flick ‘Azhar’, directed by Tony D’Souza. The movie is the shadow of the journey of Azharuddin’s career and his personal life. The film includes the shows of three key aspects of the cricketer’s life, including his marriage and the match-fixing controversy. Hashmi told IANS, “For any sport it (match fixing) is wrong, because there is a spirit in which the sport is played. If you suddenly realise that it’s all fixed, somewhere that spirit is lost. It definitely shatters the emotions of a fan… The way he sees the cricketers, whom he worship, he feels everything is fake.”

Removing the shades of secrets of his son Ayaan, he said, “My son really likes seeing me in Azhar and he kept shouting ‘Azhar Azhar’, when he saw the teaser. He is just five years old and he likes to play Cricket… He likes the game. He has got a rough idea of what I do for living; he understands that people come to me for photographs.”

Khan highly praised the work of his cousin, Alia Bhatt. Applauding her in his comments he said, “She has done good work and accomplished a lot for herself. She has got a bright career in front of her. She has grown over these past three years.”

“Alia was upset that I had not seen Student of the Year so then I got the DVD and saw the film and congratulated her on it. I saw 2 States on a flight even in that she was very good,” concluded Hashmi.