Johannesburg: 'Hansie', a labour of love, a movie on former South African cricket captain who fell from grace in 2000 after his involvement in match-fixing scandal in India, will be premiered to invited guests across South Africa at cinemas in four major cities Wednesday.

Frans Cronje, Hansie's older brother, took six years to complete the film amidst huge financial constraints. 'There are many reasons for making the film. There are lessons to be learned from Hansie's life. I think we can all learn from Hansie's mistakes and successes,' Frans Cronje said ahead of the premiere.

'Hansie' opens across South Africa Sep 24. The movie has the blessing of all those who knew Hansie best, in his close circle of friends and family. But it has also had its share of problems.

Members of the cast complained that they were not paid for a long time, and Frans initially kept matters related to the film away from the media.

But now that the film is ready to be released, it is expected to generate huge audiences as they flock to see an insider view of the life and times of one of the most controversial sporting figures of recent times.

Cronje was adored by the South African public and commanded the respect of millions throughout the world for his shining cricket captaincy as he led South Africa back to international glory in the post-apartheid era. But his downfall came swiftly as Indian police disclosed Cronje's involvement with Indian bookmakers, followed by a dramatic confession by Cronje that 'the Devil made me do it',. Cronje was killed in a plane crash under unusual circumstances.

This is his story, about the fall of a hero and his own struggle to rise above his mistakes to start anew,' said Frans Cronje, who produced and wrote the script for 'Hansie', which is directed by renowned actor and filmmaker Regardt van den Bergh.



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