In Nikhil Advani's Patiala House, Akshay Kumar plays a cricketer from London; a bowler to be more precise.

Wasim Akram to give Akshay bowling lessons

In Nikhil Advani's Patiala House, Akshay Kumar plays a cricketer from London; a bowler to be more precise. The film, currently being shot at Film City, will shortly move to the outdoors of London. The cricket sequences, according to director will be shot at theu00a0 best and biggest stadiums of London.u00a0

Says Advani, "Akshay will be shown playing at the World Cup. He had better look professional doing the bowling. We will shoot the cricket match at the Lord's and Oval cricket grounds in London."

Permission mila
Permission for these have been obtained months in advance. Akshay will be trained by one of the world's greatest fast bowlers: Wasim Akram. The training will start shortly. Wasim, currentlyu00a0 mourning his wife's sudden death, has been roped in after much persuasion. Says Nikhil, "We were adamant that Akshay would play a world-class cricketer and that too, a bowler. We've never had a hero who's a bowler. They are always batting on the cricket field. There's almost a ballet-like choreographic precision when a hero is captured bowling on camera. I think bowling is a far more intricate exercise than batting."

After I heal
Akshay intends to devote considerable time with Akram as soon his back injury is healed. A lot of other retired and active cricketersu00a0 including Imranu00a0 Khan are being ropedu00a0 in to make appearances in Patiala House. Informs Nikhil, "A substantial part of our budget is going into hiring these cricketers for the climax game. We want the game to look as real as it can get."

Pehle hum!
Interestingly, the climactic cricket game in David Dhawan's Hook Ya Crook has been delayed. Though it started two years after David's film, Patiala House may complete its shooting and release before Hook Ya Crook. John Abraham will have to wait to show his batting skills to the audience. Bowler Akshay maidaan maar gaya.