Sanju Samson jokes he refused 'Athiradi' role: 'It was too small for me'
Synopsis
Sanju Samson didn't just skip an acting debut — he had terms. At Athiradi's Chennai pre-release event, the CSK batsman joked that he turned down Basil Joseph's offer because the role wasn't big enough, revealing a candid, years-long friendship between two of Kerala's most celebrated personalities.
Key Takeaways
Sanju Samson joked at the 'Athiradi' pre-release event in Chennai on 18 May that he declined a cameo because the role was too small.
Basil Joseph confirmed on stage that the team had approached Samson, who politely refused.
Samson said he became a fan of Joseph after watching 'Minnal Murali' and praised his professional discipline. 'Athiradi' stars Tovino Thomas , Basil Joseph , and Vineeth Sreenivasan , directed by Arun Anirudhan .
The film is set for release in 5 languages : Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi.
Indian cricketer Sanju Samson drew laughs at the pre-release event of Malayalam film 'Athiradi' in Chennai on 18 May, joking that he turned down a cameo in the film because the role offered was not big enough for his debut. The lighthearted remark came after actor Basil Joseph, who co-produces the film, revealed on stage that the team had indeed approached Samson but he had politely declined.
What Samson Said
'They approached me for a small role in the film, but I told them that if I ever act, it should be a slightly bigger role,' Samson said with a smile, drawing applause from the audience. The Chennai Super Kings batsman, known for his easy humour, kept the mood light throughout the event.
A Friendship Built on Mutual Respect
Samson spoke warmly about his long-standing friendship with Basil Joseph, describing it as a bond built on curiosity and mutual admiration. 'Basil is a friend whom I have known for several years. When we spend time, he is getting to know how I am as a cricketer and I am getting to know how he is as a movie star,' Samson said.
He also offered an affectionate portrait of Joseph off-screen. 'Basil is always casual. He is loved by everyone and is always cheerful — but he is a very serious guy when it comes to his profession. When it comes to work, he becomes very strict,' Samson noted. He added that Joseph's schedule discipline rivals that of any professional athlete: 'When I finish a tour and invite him for dinner, he will say, 'You are saying now. You should have told me one week ago. We plan my whole week accordingly.'
Why Samson Showed Up
Explaining his presence at the event, Samson said his support was rooted in genuine faith in Joseph's craft. 'I know the amount of effort he must have put in. I know that if he commits to something, it will be 100 per cent from his heart. I know the quality will be there. When quality is there, people will love it — and that is why I am here supporting it,' he said.
Samson also revealed he plans to watch 'Athiradi' in both Malayalam and Tamil, adding that he became a fan of Basil Joseph after watching 'Minnal Murali'. In a playful twist, he said he would return Joseph's habit of critiquing his batting — 'After every game, Basil calls me and tells me, 'You shouldn't have played this shot.' Likewise, I will watch the film and tell him, 'This scene isn't working',' he quipped, prompting laughter.
About the Film
'Athiradi' is directed by Arun Anirudhan and stars Tovino Thomas, Basil Joseph, Vineeth Sreenivasan, and Riya Shibu, among others. The film is jointly produced by Basil Joseph and Anandu S., with the screenplay written by Arun Anirudhan and Paulson Skaria. It is set for a multi-language release in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi.
Point of View
Regardless of whether he ever takes a bigger role. What's worth noting is that the 'too small a role' joke, however playful, signals that Samson is not ruling out a future screen appearance — and that calculus will only grow as IPL-era cricketers build personal brands beyond the boundary.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sanju Samson turn down a role in 'Athiradi'?
Samson jokingly said the role offered to him was too small. 'They approached me for a small role in the film, but I told them that if I ever act, it should be a slightly bigger role,' he said at the film's pre-release event in Chennai on 18 May.
Who confirmed that Sanju Samson was approached for 'Athiradi'?
Actor and co-producer Basil Joseph confirmed it on stage at the Chennai pre-release event, saying the team had tried to cast Samson but he politely declined.
What is 'Athiradi' and who are its lead actors?
'Athiradi' is a Malayalam film directed by Arun Anirudhan, starring Tovino Thomas, Basil Joseph, Vineeth Sreenivasan, and Riya Shibu. It is produced by Basil Joseph and Anandu S., and is set for a multi-language release in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi.
What is the friendship between Sanju Samson and Basil Joseph like?
Samson described it as a years-long bond built on mutual curiosity. He praised Joseph's professional discipline and said he became a fan after watching 'Minnal Murali'. Joseph reportedly calls Samson after cricket matches to offer batting feedback.
Will Sanju Samson watch 'Athiradi'?
Yes. Samson said he will watch the film in both Malayalam and Tamil, and jokingly added that he plans to critique specific scenes — mirroring Joseph's habit of critiquing his batting shots after matches.
