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In a league of its own

PROMISES: The two biggest religions in India have got to be – cricket and cinema.

In a league of its own

United they play: Members of Punjab De Sher are ready to roar



Mona

The two biggest religions in India have got to be – cricket and cinema. And coming together of both would surely promise entertainment. So what if it gets a bit chaotic! 

As Punjab De Sher formally got inducted in the Celebrity Cricket League, there were way more celebrities than the large dais put up at Park Plaza could hold. Chairs were pulled over as one celeb after another made grand appearances; we lost count after 12. With eight teams and four years of its inception, Punjab got its final share in the CCL and how…

Suneil to Sonu 

Punjab De Sher is the latest team to join the big party and helmed by Mumbai Heroes’ former key player Sonu Sood. As the celebs gathered for the big day, and duly followed media’s request to stand up for pictures and sat down waiting for more to join in, Suneil Shetty (fondly called Anna by all present) refused to do so, “Sonu is coming, let’s wait for him.” 

This Punjab da true sher came bit late, showing his rippling muscles, making the wait worth it (we surmise from the catcalls he received). The team put together by producer Puneet Singh and singer-actor Navraj Hans has most known names from region— Gurpreet Ghuggi, Gulzar, Binu Dhillon, Yuvraj Hans and their mentor Daler Mehandi who all were part of the august company.

Punjabi peg

“Punjabis have a strong base in our film industry. And, music begins and ends with Punjabis,” Suneil Shetty proudly acclaimed. And a Punjabi team was more than wanted at CCL. Suneil paid another tribute in his own way, “Punjabis are truly generous. Once we were losing the game and Suhail asked Sonu to go break the leg. He actually broke his own,” invoking laughter while praising the Captain to be in same breath. “Look at his muscles, I thought I was holding his thighs,” said Suneil groping Sonu’s mammoth biceps. 

Making sense of madness

Sohail Khan looked amused to begin with, got disinterested in the middle, almost dozed off in-between but made sense when he spoke, “Celebs are taken to task at every minor aberration they do, if only people could get to know what it takes to be a star, be it films or sports.” 

The CCL is a long weekend that film fraternity looks forward to, he insists, “Be it Bollywood, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi industry, we all come together as a big family and look forward to the game and socialising post it.”

When questioned on the rising drug problem in Punjab and if he or his family would be a part of the campaign against it, Sohail sounded more than positive, “On the flight,  I was talking to Anna on the downfall of one of the healthiest and wealthiest states, if any which way we could be of help, we would be here.” Added Suniel, “If we need to be here every week, we are on.” The duo has announced that they will make it a top theme on the upcoming match.

Promises, promises

Punjab De Sher will be launched with a match against Mumbai Heroes on March 28 in Chandigarh. While our shers — Gurpreet Ghuggi, Gulzar, Binu Dhillon, Harmeet Singh—make loud winning noise, Suhail points out, “Punjab De Sher would be a mystery team for us but Sonu, who has been playing with us, knows all our strengths and weaknesses. But nevertheless we will give a good fight.”

Care and share

The gathering also witnessed some brotherly love. While Navraj, owner of Punjab De Sher, called his younger bro ‘meri jaan’; Yuvraj reciprocated by saying it out loud, “I love you Bro.” The cricket crazy-duo would be part of the team too. Yes, among others there was also the question on India’s fate in the ongoing World Cup thrown at the celebs. Sohail caught and delivered, “India hi jeetega.”

Business of health 

The CCL may be a business model, but both our Bollywood heroes swear by the magic sports can bring in life. 

“My kids are four and 14, and I feel each parent should let their child chose any sport they want to pursue,” says Sohail. “Don’t try to make a career out of cricket but any sport would bring discipline that will keep them grounded,” adds Sohail who represented his school and college in football and swimming. 

“Fitness is a must and nothing works better than being regular in sports,” adds Suneil Shetty. “We wouldn’t have been in the business this long, had we not looked after our health.”  

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