Sadagoppan Ramesh: From cricketer to actor

Sadagoppan Ramesh was India's opening batsman in 1999. In 2008 he acted in a small role in the Tamil movie Santosh Subramaniam. Last week, his second movie, Potta Potti, released where he plays a coach to a local cricket team. He spoke about his experience to rediff.com.

How did you get the role in Santosh Subramaniam?

The producer of the film ran a cricket club and I used to play for the club. He thought I resembled the hero of the movie (Jayam Ravi), so I was asked to play his brother.

How did you get the role of a cricket coach in the recently released Potta Potti?

The director of Potta Potti, Yuvraaj, was the assistant director in Santosh Subramaniam. We became friends and he told me he was planning to direct a cricket comedy. The story developed and I was given the role.

What is acting like as an experience?

Acting is strenuous but compared to cricket, it is less stressful. Here, if you make a mistake, you get another chance. It is hectic though and it is more mentally tiring than physically so. Retakes take a lot of energy. Then again, in films, you know what is going to happen. In cricket, you never know what will happen next.

Did you have to help director Yuvraaj with the cricket part of the movie?

I did not help him. He had done his research. If you see the movie, you will realise that it is more of a comedy than a correct cricket film

Tell us about your role in the movie.

I am the cricket coach of a team that does not understand or know how to play cricket. It was hilarious coaching them and watching them learn how to play cricket.

In 1999 you were opening for India in Test matches and in 2011 you are a movie star. How has the journey been?

The journey has gone pretty well. Going from one popular field to another is a challenge. People cannot believe that a cricketer can act. I have worked hard and it has been worth it. Starting as an underdog is good. Like I said earlier, it has been a challenge.

What else are you doing?

I am doing a few sports projects. I am also doing TV shows.

Have you got any other movie offers?

I have got quite a few offers. First I want to see how Potta Potti fares in the next three weeks. I will decide to continue with films only if I feel motivated by the results.

In the film you play a coach. In real life, have you got any coaching offers?

Not yet. Many people in Chennai have asked me to start a cricket academy. I will do that in the future.