T20 match is multiplex of cinema halls: SRK

KINGS ON CHAT: Shah Rukh Khan (L) and Sourav Ganguly speaking to CNN-IBN's Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai.

          

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Shah Rukh Khan: It will be too soon to say that in one months’ time. I’m emotionally there because the team is from there. So I think it’s the birthplace of something, which I believe will last with me for a lifetime. But just to let you know, I’m Shah Rukhda and I feel very intelligent now because all dadas are very smart and intelligent.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Sourav have you taught him any Bengali?

Shah Rukh Khan: No not yet but I will in due course of time.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Its emotional success, it’s going to be crucial for the success of IPL Kolkata Knight Riders. Shah Rukh, will it be a 365-day engagement for you?

Shah Rukh Khan: No, it wont be a 365-day engagement. I’m a son of India so I have to go everywhere. The first time I went to Kolkata was for the premier of Darr and I remember I was walking behind Yash Chopra and Juhi Chawla. I raised my arm to say hello to someone and somebody caught it and picked me up. There were thousands of people. I didn’t know I was so popular till I went to Kolkata. So that’s my first impression of Kolkata.

Rajdeep Sardesai: People thought that how would you build a team when you’ve brought in cricketers from different parts of the country and the world. Has it been easy to get them all to embrace the Kolkata culture?

Sourav Ganguly: It has not come to a stage where they had to embrace the Kolkata culture. But cricket is the something, which brings everything together. Whether it’s Kolkata, Mumbai or Bangalore. Maybe it’s a bit more in my city.

Rajdeep Sardesai: I was fascinated when Ishant Sharma, who’s a hardcore dilliwala, jumping around and cheering when you won.

Shah Rukh Khan: How about Shoaib Akhtar from Pakistan bowling out Sehwag? That’s even bigger. I have come to this conclusion that it is all pseudo patriotism we show: ‘Oh we hate Pakistanis and oh we love India.’ Actually it is not about countries, it is about teams.

Rajdeep Sardesai: So team Kolkata has come together as have other teams. Cricket is the glue you are saying that brings people together. Shah Rukh Khan was the team branding, theme song and uniforms all your idea?

Shah Rukh Khan: There are three parts: administrative, which I know nothing of. Sujay handles it with a set of people. There is the cricket part of it, which is handled by John, the cricket team, and Sourav. Then there is the entertainment part of it. Now that’s something I do for a living. That’s why its been demarcated well. I’m the cheerleader who’s wearing long pants.