New Delhi: Former Pakistani speedster Shoiab Akhtar will be ‘back in action’. This time on the big screen next year. The fast bowler Sunday unveiled the teaser of his biopic —’Rawalpindi Express – Running against the odds’ — which is set to release on 16 November 2023, calling it the ‘first foreign film about a Pakistani sportsman’. Akhtar also dropped hints for the viewers on what to expect out of the film. “You’re in for a ride you’ve never taken before…Controversially yours, Shoaib Akhtar,” said the former cricketer in his Twitter announcement. After this, Akhtar invited people for a half-an-hour Q&A session on the micro-blogging site.
Beginning of this beautiful journey. Announcing the launch of my story, my life, my Biopic,
"RAWALPINDI EXPRESS – Running against the odds"
You're in for a ride you've never taken before. First foreign film about a Pakistani Sportsman.
Controversially yours,
Shoaib Akhtar pic.twitter.com/3tIgBLvTZn
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 24, 2022
Fans were quick to seize this opportunity and ask ‘Rawalpinid Express’ a range of questions—form ‘who would play the part’, to ‘will it capture the infamous episode when Akhtar hit Mohammad Asif’, to ‘will it be available on Netflix’?
A fan reminded Akhtar of a Bollywood film offer by Mahesh Bhatt — Gangster— that he had turned down nearly two decades ago.
Pakistan has produced a battery of fast bowlers over the last four decades and many have had far better stats compared to Akhtar’s but Rawalpindi Express enjoys a special place in the hearts of cricket fans, especially in the subcontinent.
The 46-year-old made history when he bowled the fastest delivery during the 2003 World Cup, clocking 161.3 kmph in a match against England.
On Sunday, Akhtar also shared a 25-second motion poster on his YouTube channel, which shows the silhouette of a man running on train tracks. The poster also mentioned that the film will be directed by Muhhammad Faraz Qaiser.
While there is no clarity on who will be playing the cricketer, Akhtar had earlier expressed that he was hoping Bollywood superstar Salman Khan would do his biopic. The cricketer has always had close relations with Bollywood stars Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan.
But there is more to Shoaib Akhtar than just express pace. Over the years, the cricketer has been coloured by major controversies. From being banned for two years for failing a drug test to admitting to using supplements as an athlete, Shoaib has been at the receiving end of much criticism. In 2006, he was pulled out of Pakistan’s squad for the Champions Trophy, just a day before the opening game for testing positive for the banned drug, Nandrolone.
He was also known for exhibiting indiscipline, having attitude problems and an outspoken nature that is not seen very well by many. Akhtar has also previously been banned for ball-tampering and for using offensive and insulting language against South Africa’s Paul Adams.
Causing a stir on social media, Akhtar, during an appearance on the show Comedy Nights with Kapil had joked about the average age and poor English-speaking skills of fellow Pakistani players and officials.
More recently, Akhtar had commented on Virat Kohli’s performance. The Pakistani bowler had said he would have never gotten married if he was in Virat Kohli’s place, linking marriage to dip in the Indian batsman’s form.