<i>Sree lands film offer</i>

His on-field antics have made Sreesanth a hit with the fans and in an attempt to cash in on his massive popularity, a filmmaker down south has offered the flamboyant Indian pacer a movie alongside Malayalam megastar Mamooty.
The quickie has not consented to the project, but if he agrees Sreesanth will not have to do any major homework on his role as he would be playing a cricketer, director of the film Aashiq Abu told here.
"I am waiting for Sreesanth's confirmation. The film is in the preliminary stages. I had met him after his return from South Africa. The story was also read to him," the debutante director said.
"I hope to start the shooting once I get confirmation from Sreesanth. I know he is very busy. Lots of cricket is coming after the current Future Cup one-day series against Australia," Abu, who is currently working as an assistant to renowned Malayalam film Director Kamal, added.
The work on the script is in the final stages, he revealed, adding that the dialogues in the film will be written by his friend Bipin Chandran.
Abu said Sreesanth's role would be more than just a cameo.
"It will not be a guest role, but certainly an important role, which will have its influence on the story," he asserted.
Abu said Mamooty would play a Police Officer. Among other major actors, who are expected to be included are Kalabhavan Mani, Indrajit and Innocent, he said.
"I was planning to make the official announcement after October 1, after getting confirmation and dates from both Mammooty and Sreesanth," he said.
"Once I get the confirmation, I hope to start the work from next year," he added.
Sreesanth's family, however, has refused to say anything on the matter.
"Sreesanth is concentrating on the one-day series," a family member said.
Sreesanth has had his brush with the entertainment industry when he penned a song 'Jago India', which was sung by his brother in-law and renowned playback singer Madhu Balakrishnan for an album 'Desh'.
Meanwhile, Sreesanth wants to emulate Sachin Tendulkar and come up with a five-wicket haul on his home ground when India take on Australia in the second cricket one-day international at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here Tuesday.
Sreesanth, who arrived here this morning and drove straight to the stadium to see some friends said he wanted to achieve a five-for in front of his home crowd.
"My ambition is to take five wickets in the match in my home ground where I did my training all through.
"Sachin bhai has achieved it here twice. I would love to achieve the same," Sreesanth told reporters here today.
On whether he would again target Australian opener Matthew Hayden, whom he had dismissed in the Twenty20 World Cup semifinal and in the first one-dayer yesterday, Sreesanth said all the Aussie batsmen would pose a tough challenge for the Indian bowlers.