"I never read Adi's or Karan's scripts." - SRK

Call it blending 'bling' with cricket, or just punching some entertaining elements, Shah Rukh was at his witty best at the customary unveiling of the name, logo and kit (replete with a golden helmet) of his Kolkata Indian Premiere League team - Knight Riders - in the city yesterday afternoon.

SRK has already got the crowd pullers - Sourav Ganguly, Ricky Ponting, Shoaib Akhtar and Ishant Sharma - for his team. Meanwhile, son Aryan came up with concepts for the promos revealing the team, and wife Gauri is at the helm of the hospitality department.

Read on…

So, you have got your cricket team ready…

Yes, finally. I have always wanted to be a sportsman but I couldn't because of health reasons or probably I was meant to do other things. Despite being an actor, I'm a sportsman at heart. I often speak like sportsmen -- 'There's no competition for me,' and 'I always play to win'. It feels good to have a youth-oriented team who will give their best shot with a constructive sense of aggression. The purpose is to roll some entertainment along with the game of cricket.

How excited is your 10-year-old, cricket enthusiast son Aryan?

He is extremely excited and so are his friends. I hope it just spreads to the rest of the children and youngsters in our country. They helped in determining the promos for our team. I remember asking Aryan and his friends how they would react if they were hit with a ball by a member of the opponent team. Initially, they said they would hit back but later they said that if they had their way they would simply pick the ball and start eating it with a vengeance. It struck me, and I asked my guys at Red Chillies to cut a promo along those lines.

Was Aryan also involved in coining a name for the team?

Well, he came up with quite a few names like Ball Busters, Assassins and Killers. I clearly told him that we definitely can't settle for Ball Busters. I explained to him the concept of passionate fighters and later we unanimously decided on Knight Riders.

How involved is your wife Gauri as far as managing the team and taking other creative decisions are concerned?

She is definitely making her presence felt. She knows that this venture can go horribly wrong for me as I'm primarily an actor. So she is standing by me and for the first time I'm feeling her support. As far as her duties are concerned, she is looking after the hospitality department.

Are you nervous?

Yes, I'm nervous as I'm trying to give a platform to the youngsters and if I fail to do so, then I will lose a great opportunity. And I don't know when the next opportunity will come my way.

Do we see you wielding the willow along with your boys at the first match?

No, I don't think so. It's a different ball-game altogether. It takes a lot to try and stand at the wickets when Shoaib Akhtar or an Ishant Sharma is bowling. I will have to ask our coach John Buchanan if I can drop in during the practise sessions, (which start next month in Kolkata) and play with the boys.

How else are you going to ensure entertainment for the audience at the cricket ground?

The boys are going to be dressed as golden knights. We will present our lucky mascot Hoog Lee (an animated tiger) and his girlfriend Shoog Lee. There are going to be cheer leaders. Bappi da and Usha Uthup are going to belt out songs for the team. And if the people of Kolkata desire, I will dance as well (he laughs).

Are you actor friends going to perform as well?

It will be below my dignity to reduce their status to performers. They're will be watching all matches and I will ensure that they arrive on different days so that we can control the crowd.

Do you consult your friends over matters of the IPL?

My friend (and Juhi Chawla's husband) Jay Mehta is taking care of the technicalities involved. My friend who follow cricket very closely like Sanjay Kapoor, Sajid Khan and Arbaaz Khan have also been making suggestions and I have been personally noting them down.

Your dear friend Aamir Khan recently commented that you will always be at number two...

Gauri will beat me up if I say anything about Aamir as she is an Aamir Khan fan. But we are very dear friends and we have our share of fun. Even if he is serious with his comment, I will take it as a compliment. Aamir is more intellectual and intelligent, but I'm more instinctive. I may be famous for K-K-K-Kiran, but he really loves Kiran.

Tell us about your next film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Honestly, I have no idea about the story. All I know is that it's a romantic comedy. Adi (Aditya Chopra who is directing it) has been trying to narrate the story to me but I haven't had the time. Maybe he will drop in at 2 am. Actually, I never read Adi's or Karan's (Karan Johar) scripts.

Sandipan Dalal, Mumbai Mirror