Bollywood and cricket had always been an attraction for each other. Where our Bollywood actresses can’t resist the cricket superstars, the cricketers cannot resist the temptation of the silver screen beauties.
With both enjoying a similar star status, there have been many instances where Bollywood babes have fallen for cricketers. But more often than not their innings never lasted long. Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharudin and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi have been exceptions.
Here’s a list of some famous — and infamous Bollywood-cricket affairs:
Kim Sharma - Yuvraj Singh
Once lovers and now they hate each other. The affair lasted four years. Rumours have it that Yuvraj’s mum never liked Kim for her skimpy dresses.
Mohammad Azharuddin - Sangeeta Bijlani
They met at a commercial shoot and after that they just kept bumping into each other at social events. A much-married Azhar finally couldn’t avoid the inevitable from happening. In spite of stiff resistance from all quarters, the ace cricketer left his wife, Naureen, and two sons to be with the actress who too had broken off a long relationship with actor Salman Khan. The still-much-in-love couple lead a happy life in Hyderabad.
Zaheer Khan-Isha Sharbani
These two got really close within a short period of time but quickly parted for reasons best known to two of them.
Nagma - Saurav Ganguly
After marrying his childhood sweetheart, Saurav Ganguly fell for South Indian actress Nagma. Amid speculation galore, the then-captain maintained a stoic silence. However, the actress spoke out about their intense relationship after the two spilt. Completely heartbroken, she turned to Art of Living to help mend her broken heart, while the cricketer went back to his fielding ways.
Reena Roy - Moshin Khan
At the pinnacle of her career, Reena Roy chucked it all for handsome Pakistani cricketer Moshin Khan. And soon enough, doomed their respective careers. The cricketer quit the game to try his hand in acting, but failed. Reena Roy moved to Pakistan, leaving the glamour world behind. The two are divorced now, and Roy is acting in Indian television serials.
Amrita Singh - Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri and Amrita Singh were apparently engaged, but to the world’s dismay, the situation changed drastically and the two parted ways. Later, the cricketer married Ritu Singh and Amrita fell in love with Saif Ali Khan. The two are divorced.
Anju Mahendru - Sir Gary Sobers
They had a whirlwind romance and was supposedly even engaged. The West Indian legend and the Indian actress met when the West Indies cricket team came to play in India in the ’60s. But they were destined to part. Much later, in his autobiography, the all-rounder said the main reason for their split was Anju's parents, who were completely against their daughter getting engaged to a black man.
Neena Gupta - Vivian Richards
The legendary West Indian right-handed batsman and the small-time actress had a torrid affair (some reports say it was only a one-night stand). Neena hit headlines when she decided to bear the child out of wedlock. Viv Richards supposedly visits the mother and daughter, once every year. But marriage is not on the cards.
Sharmila Tagore-Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
When sexy Sharmila Tagore and dashing Tiger Pataudi first met in 1965, little did they know what was in store for them. It took four years for a persistent, crazy-in-love, Pataudi to convince the then-bombshell to marry him. After sending roses and even a refrigerator, if rumour is to be believed, the Bengal beauty relented. Love won and they tied the knot in 1969. Today, 40 years later, they are still happily married.
