Virat Kohli: Great Actor but Stay Away from Films

The overlap of sports and film came under much scrutiny by a casting director last week. Acknowledging natural talent and charisma on his part, casting director Mukesh Chhabra believes that Kohli must not end up making movies even when the batsman and former India cricket team captain finally decides to call it a day from the cricketing scene.

Chhabra refers to Kohli as a “great actor” owing to his performance in commercials and personality. He then clarifies that Kohli is cut out for cricket, in which he has done a pretty impressive job so far.

According to the casting director, Kohli was able to successfully handle fame and competition without allowing himself to gain weight and affect his mental well-being. The latter, in this case, forms an integral attribute of any celebrity.

His role as a husband and father further solidifies his position as a role model, displaying qualities that resonate with many fans.

The message of Chhabra is in sync with the feeling that not every successful cricketer needs to enter the acting arena. The world of entertainment has witnessed many cricketing heroes try their luck in front of the camera, but most of them failed to create the same magic they did in the field.

Chhabra’s advice to Kohli not to enter the world of Bollywood and instead be a cricketing hero is a way of saying know your strengths and be authentic.

In a time when celebrity cultures overlap professions, Chhabra’s sentiment reminds us that brilliance in one field need not translate to another.

Kohli would do better to continue to excel at the sport and leave behind other fields, where he may not be quite as good at influencing lives on screen.