Prateik’s a fan of Saif’s father

Actor requests his co-star to get legendary cricketer father to sign his bat, will put it up in his bedroom.

Prateik may have stopped playing cricket a while ago, but he remains a huge fan of legendary cricketer, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who is his Aarakshan co-star, Saif Ali Khan’s father. Naturally, when Prateik started working with Saif in Prakash Jha’s upcoming film, the duo bonded over the game.

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And although, Saif and Prateik share screen space for the first time in Aarakshan, they soon became close pals, thanks to the sport. In fact, Prateik has given a special bat to his co-star to get it autographed by his father. According to Prateik, Pataudi Sr. had a “very unique and special talent.” Saif too, was quite impressed with Prateik’s knowledge and passion for the gentleman’s game.

“Cricket has always been my favourite sport. For me, bonding sessions with Saif started when he discovered that I was a cricket fanatic. I have asked him for a huge favour. Since I am a big fan of Pataudi sir, I have requested Saif to get me his father’s autograph on my favourite bat,” says Prateik.

Although surprised Saif immediately agreed to fulfill the request, as Prateik wanted to showcase the autographed bat in his bedroom. The actor’s bonding over the game has been so thick, that on the sets of Aarakshan, Saif even taught his co-star a special trick. Since Prateik has been a fast bowler, Saif decided to teach him the trick of throwing a tennis ball hard on the pitch to make it move like a season ball. Saif had learned this trick from his father.

Not many are aware that Prateik has been a fast bowler for his school and state teams. In fact, till his college days, he apparently wanted to be a pace bowler and a pinch-hitter like Irfan Pathan. But when he reached standard 12, he finally quit playing cricket to concentrate on acting.