Yograj Singh, former India Test cricketer and father of Yuvraj Singh, on films, cricket and life in general
Yograj Singh
Mohali: There are several instances when Yograj Singh, former India Test cricketer and father of Yuvraj Singh, reminisces some lyrics of a Bollywood classic or sher-shaayaris during the conversation.
ADVERTISEMENT
In between he will use Hindi phrases to emphasis his point.
Yograj Singh
Although his career as cricketer was very limited for India – playing six ODIs and one Test, he claimed more fame with his second innings as an actor.
Yograj first made his foray into films in 1990s primarily working in the Punjab film industry. However, his filmy career took a fillip after Bhaag Milkha Bhaag where he was in a role as a coach for Farhan Akhtar. The character must have been easy for Yograj to act as he was instrumental in his son Yuvraj taking to cricket and training him in his initial days.
"Every time I speak about myself, I feel blessed by the almighty. He has given the strength to work at this age. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag changed my life. Working in films has gone beyond boundaries now. I never thought at this age I would be so engaged in my films. I have got about 42 films on my hand at the moment," said Yograj in an interview to mid-day.
"My dreams have always been larger than life. I was a superstar once. Now again I am so engaged with my work. My aim is to win the Oscars one day. I want the world to remember that I did all that against all odds when the entire world, my own family were against me," said Yograj.
Taking through his topsy-turvy journey, Yograj said: "I have walked alone and only held the finger of my God which helped me overcome the obstacles. God has been very kind. My karma has been very good too perhaps. I firmly believe in whatever goes, comes back to you.
"I gave everything to my cricketers friends or my film industry friends. I have always believed in one philosophy that if your competitor falls down, you either pick him up and if he not able to walk then carry him on his shoulders. What goes around, comes around. I am working nearly 14 to 15 hours. I haven’t seen my family for months now," he said.
Yograj drew similarities between his career and Yuvraj’s cricketing career. "Father and son are sailing in the same boat where there is so much to prove to others and to yourself that you are good," he signed off.