Australia's pace bowler Brett Lee can't get enough of India, with Bollywood acting offers, burgeoning business interests and music projects in the pipeline.
Brett, in India for the Champions Trophy one day tournament, is immensely popular here. The 29-year-old self confessed Indophile says he was offered a lead role in a lavish Bollywood production when he visited Mumbai on his way home after Australia's tour of Bangladesh last April.
The notion was floated by none other than Amitabh Bachchan. "He asked me if I wanted to play the role with him," reveals Brett. "I said 'Mate, I've no acting experience' and he told me that they could sort that out," he adds.
Reasoning why he declined the offer Brett says, "Firstly, I would have needed to make sure it was the right role for me. Secondly, they needed 50 days to shoot. I didn't have that time. But it's something that, down the track, I would definitely like to be involved in."
Business interests including promoting watches and footwear have lured Brett to Mumbai and New Delhi in recent years. He has also been a guest on a television chat show, where he played the guitar and was presented with a sitar.
This now holds pride of place in his Sydney home. Brett also has plans for future music projects with leading Indian musicians. He also adds to his growing Hindi vocabulary with each visit.
The fast bowler rates the sub-continent as his preferred travel destination outside Australia. "Here they want to crowd you with love. They feel the need to get close. They want to see Ricky Ponting or Adam Gilchrist in flesh. We are seen much more as entertainers than sportsmen," Brett says.
"But I've never felt threatened. And if you feel welcome in a place, then you want to return," says Brett.