Kolkata:
Shah Rukh Khan is in Kolkata and there is IPL in the air.
The Badshah of Bollywood has set in motion the third bid of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to grab the Indian Premier League trophy this year. The team has just not managed to knit its efforts enough to reach within striking distance in the first two seasons, but SRK is bullish.
A two-week conditioning camp is on under bowling consultant Wasim Akram, newly-appointed coach Dav Whatmore and captain again, Sourav Ganguly.
Here are a few vintage SRK takes on cricket and then some as he visited the team practice ground, waving to fans, with Wasim Akram, Sourav Ganguly and the KKR team management in tow.
On KKR Season 3: "We have a new staff, new administration, so we have also changed the colour, I am glad they haven't changed me."
"I think the auction decision will be taken last minute, so we are clear who all are available, especially the international players..."
"I want to win IPL to prove to myself that I can win if I take on something."
On failure in season 1 & 2: "We have a mix of old and new now...somewhere down the line, we did not go about it the right way...I think I let down the side in the sense that I could not make it a cohesive team..."
"Let's forget the past, it's all over now."
On being in Kolkata: "The hope has been to make sure I can make Kolkata proud. I feel a little bad that we haven't been able to do well"
"Last year we had a month-long training but I couldn't attend, this year because we could arrange things here, I am attending practice."
On the Indian hockey crisis: "One has heard about the hockey team and it is sad what is happening...I have a great affinity to hockey...sports is never given importance in this country, except cricket."
"I guess everyone has to take a stand, but I hope the strike ends and the players and administrators are happy..."
On Jyoti Basu: He is a wonderful person, and I pray for him...don't want to disturb people at the hospital, so not meeting him."
On My Name is Khan: "I want My Name is Khan to do well...I am not a different actor, I do the same thing and I am ok with that."