Match-fixing harms the spirit of the game: Emraan Hashmi

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, who is playing the role of former Indian cricket team captain Mohammed Azharuddin in the upcoming flick "Azhar", feels that malpractices in sports, like match-fixing, diminish the spirit of the game.

"For any sport it (match fixing) is wrong, because there is a spirit in which the sport is played. If you suddenly realise that it's all fixed, somewhere that spirit is lost. It definitely shatters the emotions of a fan... The way he sees the cricketers, whom he worship, he feels everything is fake," Emraan told PTI in an interview here.

Directed by Tony D'Souza, "Azhar" traces the journey Mohammad Azharuddin's career and his personal life. The film will show three key aspects of the cricketer's life, including his marriage and the match-fixing controversy.

Talking about his son Ayaan, the actor said he loves to watch cricket and is happy to see him play the role of a cricketer on the big screen.

"My son really likes seeing me in 'Azhar' and he kept shouting 'Aazhar Azhar, When he saw the teaser'. He is just five years old and he likes to play cricket... He likes the game. He has got a rough idea of what I do for living, he understands that people come to me for photographs," Emraan said.

"He sees me on screen, so he has his own way to figure out what I do. I have taken him to a film shoot once, so he understood a little. He is excited about 'Azhar' right now," he said. The "Murder" actor said he would love to team up with his cousin and actress Alia Bhatt.

"I can only work with her as a brother... Any other thing would make me sick. I can't romance my cousin and I don't think anyone has done that, it would be awkward," he said.

Emraan said he is happy with the success Alia has achieved in a short span of time. "She has done good work and accomplished a lot for herself. She has got a bright career in front of her, she has grown over these past three years.

"Alia was upset that I had not seen 'Student of the Year' so then I got the DVD and saw the film and congratulated her on it. I saw '2 States' on a flight even in that she was very good," he said.