Shoaib Akhtar, who missed a tour of India in March-April, has been offered the role of a gangster-on-the run in Mahesh Bhatt's forthcoming film Gangster but the veteran director is confident that he will be able to convince Pakistani cricketer and fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar to act in his film.

Talking to press on phone from Pakistan, Bhatt, who is considering Shoaib for the lead role in his forthcoming film ‘Gangster', dismissed media reports of the Pakistani quickie having rejected the idea of joining films, saying ''Rather than going by anybody else's word in the matter I would like to hear it from the man himself.''

On Shoaib's reported statement that he wants to concentrate on his cricketing career rather than chalking out one in films, the filmmaker said,'' For all we know, it could only be his stated position, made to appease the Pakistani public. After all, any news of his joining a film career at a time when he is trying to regain his position in the squad, would not go down well with the local public who view him, first and foremost, as their cricketing hero.''

''Also, any reports of Shoaib joining Bollywood films would create an impression that he is not concentrating on his cricket,'' Bhatt explained, referring in this regard to rumours of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) not appreciating moves by Shoaib to join films.

PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan has recently announced that Shoaib would have to seek Board's permission before acting in the film.

Bhatt, who is in Pakistan to attend a telethon organised by Aaj TV as well as to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to secure a theatrical release for his forthcoming film 'Nazar', said he planned to meet the speedster on May 21 in Karachi.

''I will talk to Shoaib myself to convince him to act in my film. I will continue with my efforts to persuade him till the time he tells me himself that he is not interested. In that case only, we will look for someone else for the role,'' Bhatt said.

Shoaib was penciled in by Mahesh Bhatt for the title role in 'Gangster' after Sanjay Dutt and John Abraham expressed their disinclination to do the film due to various reasons.