Things couldn't get better for Sammir Dattani. Even as his Kannada film, Amruthdhare romps to hit status, the actor starts shooting for Madhur Bhandarkar's Corporate after Diwali, with Minissha Lamba. Now, he has signed the plum role of a football player on the road to emotional, spiritual and physical redemption.

Says Sammir, "It's a dream role. And since I'm an outdoors person and a footballer. I'm looking forward to playing a character who loses his leg, yet runs the marathon. Not too many sporty films are made in this country. I'm glad, especially since I was the first choice for the part."

Producer Vicky Tejwani endorses the actor's presence in Marathon. "I wanted someone young, innocent and untried on screen. Sammir fitted the role perfectly, because of his vulnerable face – the role of the football player is a very sensitive one."

Adds director Chennani, "Sammir is young, lean and athletic. He has the right physical attributes to look like a soccer player." Sammir intends to put in an intense period of training for the role, which will be his first, post-Corporate, after whi

Says Sammir, "Actually, Marathon is also a kind of double role for me. The character has two lives — one before and the other after he loses his leg. It's a life-changing experience."