indiatimes

New Delhi, Dec 24: The only time he has ever 'acted' was in a neighbourhood Ramlila, where he played a soldier when he was eight or nine years of age.

But such has been Gautam Gambhir's success story since his knocks helped India win the Twenty20 World Cup that the shy Delhi batsman has now been offered a role in a Bollywood movie.

"I'm not shy or quiet, that's a media image. Yes, I have got an offer from Bollywood, from a leading producer, who wants me to act in this movie. Talks are still on, but nothing will be done that affects my cricket," Gambhir told TOI on Saturday.

Gambhir's offer comes hot on the heels of Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar's possible Bollywood stint. If things work out, then the Delhi batsman could be seen sharing 70 mm space with the likes of Bipasha Basu, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan.

"I've never acted and this offer came as a bolt from the blue. I was attending a friend's party in Mumbai where someone introduced me to this producer. Next morning he was narrating the script to me. It sounded interesting," said Gambhir.

TOI has learnt that the movie is about an NRI boy who comes to India and is bullied because he can't play cricket, following which he is depressed and even tries self-immolation. But doctors reconstruct his face, and this is where Gambhir steps in, charting the character's path towards becoming a successful Indian cricketer. The producers are also thinking of roping in Brett Lee or even Shane Warne.

Gambhir claims: "I love watching movies and have seen Chak De! India at least six-seven times, but have never thought of acting. This is an exciting offer, let me think." But he isn't thinking of dancing or acting classes. "I don't know, as of now it is about real life. Reel life can wait."