Picture by Rashbehari Das

Sourav Ganguly may have bid international cricket goodbye three years ago, but he remains a busy all-rounder. Television, IPL, office and doting dad — he still has a lot to play for. And as the Behala boy turns 39, t2 decided to fire in a few. Here’s how he faced it all with a straight bat on b’day eve...

What does ‘Sourav’ mean?

Sourav means a sweet smell.

Do you prefer being called ‘Maharaj’ or ‘Sourav’?

Hmm… Sourav.

First cricket match you remember watching?

I think 1977, India vs England at the Eden Gardens, when Tony Greig was the captain.

First innings you remember playing?

I think for the school team (St. Xavier’s Collegiate School) when I was in Class VIII, I think. I cannot remember how much I scored! It was a long time ago.

First football game you remember watching?

I cannot remember whether it was the first football game that I watched, but the earliest I can remember is a Mohun Bagan game. I was in school and I think I was in Class VII or VIII. I used to finish my school at 3 ’clock and go to the Mohun Bagan ground to watch the matches, which used to start at 4 ’clock. It was like a routine because I liked football so much.

First movie you remember watching?

The earliest one I remember watching is Amitabh Bachchan’s Kaalia. It was a holiday, so we had gone to see it.

First actress on screen you remember flipping for?

No, no... I never used to think like that!

Okay, so your favourite actress back then?

I remember Sridevi and Jaya Prada were a hit in those days.

So, Sridevi or Jaya Prada?

I think both were good.... Sridevi, probably.

First cricket hero?

Sunil Gavaskar.

First football hero?

(Diego) Maradona.

All-time favourite cricketer?

Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.

All-time favourite footballer?

Maradona.

All-time favourite match that you played?

The 2001 Test match against Australia at Eden Gardens. It’s just the way we played that game and won, coming from behind and winning.

Best moment as a sportsperson?

When I played my first Test match (vs England, 1996, Lord’s, scored 131).

Worst moment as a sportsperson?

When we lost the Test against Pakistan in Bangalore in 2005. It was the last Test and we were one up in the series before that.

Best personal moment?

When Sana was born (November 3, 2001).

Worst personal moment?

Nothing yet!

One question you would like to be asked and the answer would be....

Baap re! Difficult for me to answer! Hmmm….

Saionee Chakraborty
What is your message for Sourav Ganguly on his 39th birthday?Tell t2@abp.in" t2@abp.in

some behind-the-scenes buzz from the b’day episode of sourav’s show

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao before slipping into the hot seat of Ke Hobey Banglar Kotipoti. Picture by Pradip Sanyal

A Kodak moment to end the show: Dada treats Aamir to a piece of his birthday cake

The birthday boy on the birthday special episode of Mahuaa Bangla’s Ke Hobey Banglar Kotipoti, will welcome Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao to the hot seat. Here’s a quick behind-the-scenes peek at all the action that the cameras will not capture when Sourav Ganguly hosts Aamir and Kiran...

Sourav Ganguly walks in to wave a quick “Hi!” to wife Dona, a special member of the audience for the special episode. He then helps her fix the lapel microphone. “1,2,3 bolo,” he tells her. And the studio audience bursts out laughing.

At the first cut, Aamir Khan the perfectionist surfaces. “How was that?” he asks.

And then his attention shifts to the monitor as he and Kiran discuss the winning amounts flashing on their screen. “You all have got to help me,” he addresses the studio audience.

Aamir says sitting in the hot seat is like riding a horse!

Aamir adjusts Kiran’s lapel microphone.

“Dona, are you having fun?” asks Kiran.

Kiran, Aamir, Sourav and Dona take a break to sip piping hot tea from bhanrs.

Sourav to Kiran after the duo have used two of their three lifelines: “Porer lifeline ta bhebey chinte use koro (Use your next lifeline carefully).”

Sourav to Kiran: “Sana has a lot of exams. And she is only in Class IV.”

Is Aamir Khan the Sourav Ganguly of Bollywood? Tell t2@abp.in