Good family entertainer. Emran has did good acting and Narghis has also played her part in the way she could have, by looking glamorous. The story holds you to your seat. Whether you like Azhar or not, you would definitely like the movie. The other actors who played role of Sanjay, Kapil have done an OK performance. Azhar has been a man, who rose meteorically because of his game, the way he let his bat do all the talking on the field. He fell from favour just as fast because of his covetousness and his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal that rocked cricket. He is a man of frailties and shortcomings both on the field of cricket and in the arena of love. The director has explored shades of gray in him, Tony D'Souza makes little attempts to defend and validate him.

First of all I must commend Emraan Hashmi for a pretty solid performance (Prachi Desai was also good). He clearly seems to have worked immensely hard to do the role and not only adopt the way Azharuddin used to walk, talk etc., but also his cricket shots, batting stance and style. This is really a tremendous level of professionalism, but......... The film somehow seemed very fake. The cricketers, the commentators, the courtroom drama, it all looked to be as if people were out there putting together a theatre show or something - worst of all being his own lawyer!Above all, I can't remember a film that contradicts itself so much and almost drifts away from the details related to earlier. I mean, if Azhar indeed took only to prevent the bookie from bribing others, then why did he take decisions in the game that translated into the opposition piling up a huge total? On the other hand, they also showed that Azhar had a change of mind which came into complete manifestation after the drop catch and the change of bat! So how does the pre-planning of something go hand in hand with the change of heart during the match? With this point, I don't feel the need to address any other flaw or problems. Baffling to say the least! I was like "Erm, what?!" after watching it. I wonder whether this really is the justification that Azharuddin gives for his deed?!The trailer was good, promised a lot, but hugely disappointed. Some real non-serious stuff, this.

Before Emraan Hashmi begins to portray Azhar, A Disclaimer shows up, saying: The following film is NOT a Biopic on the sport legend, but a rather adaptation on the much-talked personality. So, 'Azhar' is not a biopic, even though it covers almost all highlights of Azhar.What works, despite that rather underwhelming disclaimer, is the fairly engaging narrative, held nicely by Director Tony D'Souza & Lead-Actor Emraan Hashmi, who bring merit & some sincerity in the goings-on. Though far from perfect, 'Azhar' is a decently made film, that certainly isn't anywhere close to being bad.'Azhar' is Based on the life of Indian cricketer and former national team captain Mohammad Azharuddin. Right from his triumphant success, to his controversial professional & personal life. 'Azhar' is interesting in parts. Watching Azhar romance between his two wives, as well as take on captaincy in the Indian Team, offer some genuinely arresting sequences. His triumph does leave a mark. However, when Azhar is dragged to court for "match-fixing", the courtroom sequences that follow, are plain ordinary. The courtroom sequences lack fire. Had these sequences been better, 'Azhar' would've been a far superior adaptation.Rajat Aroraa's Screenplay is quite decent, but why is the drama in the courtroom so lazily written? The Writing needed to be stronger, no two options on that! Even the dialogue, range from massy to entirely ridiculous. Tony D'Souza's Direction is well-done. He has handled the film competently. Cinematography is good. Editing is mostly crisp, but the second-hour could've been sharper. Music by Various Artists, is excellent. Background Score merits a special mention.Performance-Wise: Emraan Hashmi as Mohammad Azharuddin/Azhar, is at his most sincere. The actor is in form, delivering a credible performance as the legendary sportsman. This is among Hashmi's better works, without doubt! Prachi Desai as Naureen, the first wife of Azharuddin, is excellent. Nargis Fakhri as yesteryear actress Sangeeta Bijlani, the second wife of Azharuddin, looks hot as ever, but falls flat acting wise. Lara Dutta as Meera, who fights against Azhar in court, is strictly okay. Kunaal Roy Kapur as Reddy, who defends Azhar, adapts a south Indian accent so fake, that he turns him into a caricature. Rajesh Sharma as M.K. Sharma, a slimy match fixer, is top-notch, as always. Others lend fair support.On the whole, 'Azhar' isn't power packed, but its certainly watchable & also well-done in parts.

Nice propaganda movieNice and clever propaganda. The movie beautifully covers up the issue whether Azhar took money or not, they raised it just before the interval and conveniently covered it under many other aspects of his life. He has played for India and won many matches for the country so of course there will be many things to cherish and celebrate about him, which makes the movie interesting, no doubt. But the whole plot about the match fixing angle is so cooked up, they show him taking money from bookie, talking to the bookie on cellphone during the match and suddenly his conscience awakens up in the middle of the match. How convenient !! And look at the crookedness of the makers, before the start they announce that this is a work of fiction and at the end, Azhar's character tells us I leave it to you, whether you want me to believe or not. Yeah, we are stupid enough to believe, that you took the money but suddenly in the middle of the match, your grandfather's soul made you do the right thing.The whole court case which tries to exonerate him in the movie, was in reality, about the ban on him by the cricket association and and not the actual match fixing, many cine-goers will not be able to realize this difference. This case was dragged for many years and was a low profile one, contrary to what is shown in the movie. Moreover, he is shown as a loving husband and family-man, who protects both his wives and families by not letting them come to court. So much so for a guy who even after marrying twice, had affair with Jwala Gutta and then had another affair with Shannon Marie. Someone has correctly said that some people want to change the definition of our heroes. Thank you Ekta Kapoor, till now you were making garbage movies, now you are making movies on garbage people. I wonder why Emraan accepted this role, probably because it was a tough role, tough to portray a wrong man as right and he must be given credit for his performance, he actually acted good, same goes for Prachi. Nargis and Kunal Roy Kapoor made caricatures of their characters as usual. However biggest achievement goes to the script writers for camouflaging this dishonorable man as a true sportsperson and patriot cricketer.