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Ramiz Raja is making a film about cricket and it will star Sanjay Dutt!

Ramiz Raja is making a film about cricket and it will star Sanjay Dutt!

"Cricket has the muscles to heal wounds and that's what I want to show in the film," he said to Images
Updated 03 Feb, 2017

Some cricketers open clothing stores, some have other career detours in mind.

Pakistani cricket commentator and former batsman Ramiz Raja has revealed that he's making a film.

"Yes, I'm writing and co-producing a film," Raja confirmed to Images. The film, unsurprisingly, is about cricket!

It's apparent that Raja is pouring his decades of observations about the game into the film.

"The topic was very close to my heart," he elaborated. "I wanted it to reach the audience, be it in the form of a documentary or a film. You know, how cricket could heal and bond every tier of society, especially the downtrodden, little kids lost to terrorism... I've had this topic in my mind for ten years. I think [the sport] has strength, a type of special force, a neutral force that can be launched anywhere. Through cricket, through this great medium, we can serve society."

"Cricket has the muscles to heal wounds and that's what I want to show in the film," he concluded.

The film is titled Dorbaz and will star Sanjay Dutt in the lead role, Raja also revealed. How did he manage that coup, we wonder?

"Dorbaz is based on a thought that just wouldn't leave my mind and somehow the idea got accepted by a production [company] in India and things just went on from there," he shared.

"Sanjay is extremely excited about the script. He's got great star-power, he's got presence and I think the role suits him perfectly."

Brushing aside reports that he's eager to cast Mahira Khan or Katrina Kaif in the female lead, Raja said that women don't feature prominently in the film. "I think it's a male-dominated film. So casting female actors was not a priority, the priority for me was getting Sanjay Dutt on board."

Also read: #GirlsInGreen — Pakistan roots for women's cricket team

The script for Dorbaz is nearly complete, after which the film will go on floors in May.

Comments

lafanga Feb 03, 2017 01:08pm
Sanjay Dutt is an outdated actor.
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mohammed Mirza Feb 03, 2017 01:30pm
Wow Ramiz will be doing two things
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Kerala Feb 03, 2017 01:39pm
@lafanga For the first time , I agree with you .
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kashish Feb 03, 2017 01:53pm
What is the meaning of 'dorbaz' ?
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Budhiraja Feb 03, 2017 02:07pm
I think Ramiz ,Tendulkar,Wasim and Gavaskar should try to organize cricket series between Indian parliamentarians and Pakistani parliamentarians.. That will bring some common space so that they can understand each other. These players are very much respected by one and all on both side of the border. So our politicians may listen to them for such event.
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Javaid Feb 03, 2017 02:52pm
RR never lets an opportunity go by to make money!
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Wajih Uddin Qidwai Feb 03, 2017 03:04pm
I hope its not a conventional story of winning a game magically on last ball or two families or nations are met. Expectations are quite high Sir :)
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Ahsan,Karachi Feb 03, 2017 04:11pm
Cricket diplomacy should be once again used for betterment of relationship between the neighbours
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Shiva Feb 03, 2017 04:44pm
@lafanga But he is very much a superstar for Pakistanis. He has deep connections with Pakistan.
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Pakistani Feb 03, 2017 05:10pm
@Shiva . What are you implying here? Not only we Pakistanis but also Indians respect him a lot.
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Raza Feb 03, 2017 05:14pm
Hope it is not as flop
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Abdul Feb 03, 2017 05:21pm
Why don't Pakistanis prefer Pakistani stars as lead actors?Why an Indian star?
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AAMER Feb 03, 2017 05:33pm
Co Porduction is out of question and Pakistani artists are not allowed to work in India. So how will it work?
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AXH Feb 03, 2017 05:41pm
Ramiz has never done anything for Pakistan, so why start now by casting Pakistanis for this movie.
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Zala Feb 03, 2017 05:54pm
What about the ban?
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Armughan Feb 03, 2017 07:03pm
I find it kind of funny that Sanjay Dutt is leading a cricket based movie. I hope we wouldn't be seeing him in whites. More apt for him to now to play a grandfatherish role really.
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Irfan Feb 03, 2017 07:04pm
@Abdul Because both are basically same people, borders are created by politicians.
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D Feb 03, 2017 08:31pm
@AAMER its political thing, it goes like this, 'No pakistani onscreen players', but offscreen artists are welcome, for example even though pakistani cricket players are not playing in IPL, talent in off screen form like bowling coaches, commentators are used by sports channels without any issue. hope u get it
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s.khan Feb 03, 2017 09:29pm
He should have picked a younger actor. An aged man can't play a winning game. Dutt is older than Roger Federer.
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Armughan Feb 03, 2017 10:06pm
@s.khan he is pushing 60 i think, so way older.
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Philosopher(from Japan) Feb 03, 2017 11:36pm
Bad investment decision ramiz. First making it in India is almost impossible in current state of affairs between India and Pakistan. If it will be made in any case the probability of its banning in India is high under the influence of BJP. It's better to stick on the thing you know well I mean commentary.
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Ayan das Feb 04, 2017 03:44am
@Javaid we love RR ,Wasim Akram,Imran khan,waqar . Also shoiab (but not to that extent).We miss them in INDIA especially spoting in airports ,shopping malls ,and other hot spots
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Uncle sam Feb 04, 2017 04:37am
Dorbaz means , someone who is calling the shots, not necessarily playing. I believe, bosses, gambling rivelery etc.
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hem pant Feb 04, 2017 09:37am
Good.both cricket,hockey and kabaddi matches should commence between India and Pakistan
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Arun-KS Feb 04, 2017 09:40am
@Budhiraja Great idea! Brilliant brain to think out of the box.
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jose aman Feb 04, 2017 09:55am
@s.khan and u already know what roger federer did last week.
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Irfan ul Huq Feb 04, 2017 07:37pm
@Javaid If the opportunity is legal he should do it.
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Irfan ul Huq Feb 04, 2017 07:41pm
@s.khan It may be the story of an aged old cricketer!?
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Tech talk Feb 04, 2017 11:04pm
Good choice of Sanjay dutt..no recent movies for quite some time, gets his fan to theatres...and ban on artistes shall be gone..!
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Feb 04, 2017 11:34pm
What a silly joke?
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s Feb 05, 2017 05:46am
@lafanga so is Ramiz Raja. It will make a perfect combination.
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KK Feb 05, 2017 09:04am
@Shiva what u r trying to say is totally baselss and wrong.
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KK Feb 05, 2017 09:08am
He represented PK all his life.He got fame, money and respect from PK but he opts to cast Indian stars for his 1st project.He could have done it later but 1st priority should have given to PK stars. Anyway goodluck Raja Ji.
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Farah (New York) Feb 06, 2017 08:51pm
Ramiz Raja I have a question for you. In whole Pakistan you couldn't find anyone who can play a role in your movie, thus you ended up in India? Don't you think it's a shame that you are casting Indian people instead of ignoring Pakistani talent?
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