I’ll give Sachin Tendulkar a hug once we meet next: SRK

Like in his films, SRK also has a livewire presence at the cricket field. In fact, his name is synonymous along with his franchise.

Over the years, cricket lovers have seen SRK motivating his players from the dugouts or making them act with him in commercials.

His energy levels remain constant yearly without reference to his team’s on-field performance. SRK talks to CS about his passion for sports:

A sporty kid

As a kid, I used to play all sports including cricket. I USED TO BE a fantastic wicketkeeper. I even went to youth camp for selection. Now, after I look back I realise that it's a kind of things I COULD NOT make a career in.

I was also an athlete. Even today, if there has been an option of representing India in over-40-actors category, I'll gladly run! I used to play hockey at junior levels but that was then.

When we were shooting for Chak De! India, the more youthful girls were faster and frequently beat me! My son, Aryan is more into football and has a talent for it. I did like to see him pursue a career in sports.

Passion of a lifetime

I'm thinking about this franchise for all times! The best way I see it, going forward, there should not be just 11 players representing our nation of say 1.3 billion people.

There need to be at least, perhaps, 11 lakh eligible for that exclusive spot. The continuing cricket league provides an alternative choice for even young boys who're studying.

At the age of 16 or 18, they are able to tell their parents, "I NEED to be a qualified cricketer too." Cricket in India is greater than only a popular sport, but I BELIEVE all sports-be it hockey, football or athletics-should be encouraged. And that's the reason possible provided that it becomes a sponsors-backed business… a pure clean business.

Action on celluloid

In a given year, Bollywood makes 30 or so worthwhile movies and if we glance back, we've made an important selection of films within the sports genre – Lagaan, Chak De! India and others. Farhan (Akhtar) is doing a film on Milkha Singh and someone suggested that I should do one on hockey legend, Dhyan Chand. So, let's see.

Sachin, Sachin!

Like every Indian, I'M pleased with Sachin's (Tendulkar) achievement of 100 ton. I sent him a text congratulating him for this unique accomplishment. I'll give him a hug after we meet next.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com