Fans miss Bollywood at IPL opening

Where was the Bollywood entertainment or "taste of India" that the Indian Premier League had promised repeatedly in the run-up to the official opening of the tournament in Cape Town on Saturday (April 18) night?

That was the question on the lips of many Bollywood fans at the colourful ceremony at a packed Sahara Newlands Stadium here, as a host of artists entertained the crowd with items as diverse as traditional drums from both countries and circus acts from Europe entertained them.

But the closest sign of anything Bollywood or Indian on the field, besides the teams, was a tabla being played by a South African artist accompanying the traditional African dancers on their drums.

Even the music featured in all the entertainment items did not have any Bollywood music in it.

Fans did get repeated glimpses of Bollywood stars and team owners Shah Rukh Khan and Shilpa Shetty on the big screens during the two matches, including the disappointment on Shilpa's face as she watched, together with her mother and sister from the suites, how the chances of her Rajasthani Royals team defending its title slipped away from the Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Shah Rukh was shown with his wife Gauri and their two children, at times Shah Rukh doting over his son as the latter made comments about the game.

But that was the closest that the fans got to see of Bollywood.

Off the field, there were very short interviews on television with the first two winners in the search to find the next new face of Bollywood from among South African girls.

The young women, identified by the interviewer only as Raeesa and Tasneem, both from Cape Town, just gave monosyllabic answers to the questions posed by him as they admitted to being Shah Rukh Khan fans and being "nervous" or "wow" about the possibility of starring in a movie with him.

A total of 50 winners will be chosen from the crowds at every one of the eight venues around the country that are to host IPL matches.

One finalist from each venue will be chosen, leaving eight winners to be hosted and feted at The Wanderers in Johannesburg at the final of the IPL 2009 tournament on May 24. The ultimate winner will be announced during the final.

IPL fans worldwide will also be able to cast their votes for the winner via the IPL website.

Shah Rukh Khan: The 12th man for Kolkata Knight Riders

Shah Rukh Khan is in Bloemfontein in South Africa and the City of Roses is now home for his IPL franchisee, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The actor who left from Mumbai on 14 April will be in South Africa for at least two weeks. Prior to his departure, the actor spoke at length to Businessofcinema.com about his plans for KKR.

Not many know that SRK is a registered player in the KKR team. He confirms, "Yes, I am a registered player and had it not been for the injury on my shoulder this year, I would have definitely volunteered to be a part of the team."

SRK's electrifying presence happens to be that catalyst, which team KKR needs. Players like Sourav Ganguly, Murali Kartik and Ajit Agarkar all swear by the actor's energy and what it translates for the team.

SRK adds, "If need be, I will be the 12th man for my team and carry drinks to the ground. I am here in any capacity that my team needs me to be. I am the grand daddy of my company and I help out in marketing decisions, administrative rulings and of course, all entertainment related dealings."

With SRK in their midst, much of the mis-communication amongst the team members and the press will be ironed out, because if there is one man who can smoothen ruffled feathers, it is the King Khan himself.

Stripping captaincy from Ganguly 'cricketing decision': Shah Rukh

Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan termed stripping of captaincy from Sourav Ganguly as a "cricketing decision taken for the betterment of the team" and the former India captain was also involved in the decision making.

"It was a cricketing decision. People who have cricketing head and mind -- Dada (Ganguly), (John) Buchanan and team management -- had taken the decision. I hope it is for the betterment of the team," Shah Rukh said.

New Zealander Brendon McCullum was appointed captain in place last season skipper Ganguly on Friday, which set to rest weeks of speculation after KKR Director of Cricket Buchanan kicked up a controversy with his multiple captaincy idea.

Ganguly, on his part, said he "would not mind" with the decision and now the focus should be on every team member performing well.

"It was a team decision. I don't mind with that. Now everybody will have to perform if the team wants to do well in the tournament," he said.

Knight Riders - Wallpaper