Well, everyone knows that Mohammad Azharuddin was a great cricketer and captained Indian cricket team successfully, during 90s. But, later in the year 2000 his name was involved in match fixing scandal and then he was banned for life by BCCI on the basis of CBI investigation & inquiry committee report. On 8 November 2012, the Andhra Pradesh High Court lifted the ban describing the episode as ‘unsustainable’. We are also aware that in the meanwhile, he entered politics and became a Member of Parliament. 
Now, there is a film ‘Azhar’, which however is not to be mistaken as a biopic on him; as the film begins with a disclaimer stating that it is a fictionalized dramatic presentation of the incidents, in the life of Mohammad Azharuddin. And, this itself disappoints a viewer, who has come to watch this film with a big hope of knowing the reality.
Though the film has shown the attachment of little Azhar with his Grandfather, who encouraged him to play cricket, it tries to show his emotional saga, after being banned for life from playing cricket by BCCI. So, with the help of his England returned close friend and lawyer Reddy, Azhar ( Played by Emraan Hashmi) files a case in court, to prove himself not guilty. But, now enters Meera( Lara Dutta) the lawyer also England returned, to prove him guilty. Meera was earlier a great fan of the former Indian Captain and hence she is more furious about his involvement in the match fixing scandal. She first meets his first wife Naureen( Prachi Desai) with the hope that , she being hurt, after being deserted by Azhar, would speak against her husband. But that does not happen. So, she tries all other attempts to prove him guilty, going to the extent of grabbing information from a former cricketer, also involved in match fixing scandal.
Finally, we see the lawyer of Azhar succeeding in getting the judgment in favour of Azhar, by lifting the life ban on him; for non availability of strong evidences against him. The film does not show, any unheard story, as the entire film is based on the reports published in newspapers and on TV channels. There is no mention about the actor entering Politics. So, one way, the film totally disappoints, giving a clear indication that the film is based on fiction. Therefore, the characters of other cricketers created on screen, don’t impress at all, though few of them with the names like Manoj & Ravi have been exposed with their off the field character.
What is good about this film, are the dialogues and performance of Emnraan Hashmi, who does well even in his walking style & body language , which resembles the ex cricketer. In the role of Sangeeta Bijlani, Nargis Fakhri is not at all impressive. Songs have been added in the film just for entertainment purpose and hence don’t go well with the screenplay. All in all, ‘Azhar’ has turned out to be a film, which only glorifies the image of former Indian cricketer.
Rating ( **)