24 May,2017 08:29 AM IST | | Noel D'souza
Batting maestro admits he misses Mark Mascarenhas, his first agent, who passed away in a road accident in 2002; Mascarenhas played an important role during Sachin's younger days
Tendulkar with Mark during the launch of Cricket Talk magazine in 2000. Pic/midday archives
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's life has been a story etched in every Indian's heart. His upcoming biopic, Sachin: A Billion Dreams, that releases globally this Friday, has made every fan curious on what this two-hour, 18 minute film could offer.
Encompassing 24 years of his cricketing career along with shedding light on his personal life as well, Tendulkar says it will leave you surprised. "My family members are talking (in the film). You will also see a lot of personal things. When you leave the theatre, you will say stuff like, 'I never expected such things'," Tendulkar told reporters after key scenes of his biopic were shown to the media yesterday.
The makers have covered all aspects in Tendulkar's remarkable career, both on and off the field, but the batting maestro admitted he missed WorldTel founder Mark Mascarenhas, Tendulkar's first agent, who played an important role during his younger days. Connecticut-based Mascarenhas, who passed away in a road accident in 2002, signed up Tendulkar, when he was 22, for a five-year contract valued at nearly Rs 25 crore.
Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar holds special screening for armed forces
Making a millionaire
Mascarenhas helped to make Tendulkar a millionaire, but he would never intrude on his training sessions. "Mark was more like family. Not just today, but I have missed him on a number of occasions. He was a larger-than-life personality. Mark, being an ardent fan of Indian cricket, never ever forced me to skip my practice sessions for a shoot.
"In fact, he would tell them (firms) that he is not going to miss his practice sessions, so we will have to work around that. We were on the same page. I really miss him," said Tendulkar, who revealed he watched his biopic 20 times.
While fame and money tagged along with Tendulkar early in his career, the Mumbai maestro made it clear that he would never waste time negotiating deals. That was left to the family.
"If I am not mistaken, I was the first cricketer to be signed by a company like this. Today, it's normal, but way back in 1995 people didn't know what was in store for me. They said: 'Why does he want to do such things (sign deals)? Let him just focus on cricket.' They failed to realise that I did this so that I could be focused on cricket. "I didn't want to waste time negotiating contracts and making sure this clause or that clause should be in. I wanted all my energy to be channelised only on cricket and nothing else. My family took all that trouble of going through the papers and I used to just sign on them," he added.
To ensure money didn't get to his head, Tendulkar revealed how his late father Ramesh used to always shower him with words of wisdom.
"When I started playing for India, my father used to tell me, 'everything in life is temporary. Plenty has happened and plenty more will happen after your cricketing years, so it's easy to get carried away.
Dad's the word!
"I can understand that you are only 16. Your final destination was playing cricket for India, but to me the journey has just begun. You've just opened the door. Now people will see what you will do. So think that this is your start, not your end. Try and be a nice person.'
'Respect what you have been given and worship that. Don't find shortcuts. Even after your cricketing days, people will like you and I want people to say that. I want people to want you. People should not say when is he leaving, but how long can he stay,' " an emotional Tendulkar recalled. The cricket icon will organise a special screening for the Champions Trophy-bound Team India today at PVR Juhu where his childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar will also be present.
Also check photos: Sachin Tendulkar and wife Anjali on 'Chala Hawa Yeu Dya'
