RANVEER SINGH

You have been dancing non-stop with an arm in a sling (he fell off a horse while shooting for Bajirao Mastani for which he has had to undergo surgery and physiotherapy). What is the secret of your energy?

I don’t know! I guess I naturally have a lot of energy and I manage to stay fit most of the time. I try and live each day to the fullest.... may be some kind of odd insecurity… the thing is life comes with no kind of guarantee. See I am really enjoying this match because I don’t know whether I would get to another match ever again…. 

First impression of Eden Gardens?

It is quite spectacular! I have only seen this place on TV (thumps his fist on his chest and dances to the Dil Dhadakne Do title track). 

All-time favourite cricketer?

Sachin Tendulkar, then Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Current favourite cricketer?

Dhoni, anytime! He is a legend but cricketers to look out for would be Virat (Kohli), Rohit (Sharma) and Shikhar (Dhawan). 

A cricketer you’d like to play on screen?

I would like to play Kapil Dev... Sushant is playing Dhoni, no? I think he will do justice, he is a hard-working kid. For Sachin, have to find someone who looks like him… hmm, Aamir Khan! For Sourav Ganguly, Shah Rukh Khan! 

Message for the t2 girl gang and Calcutta?

Keep the love coming and thank you for your love and support! I had a good time, especially with Farhan, Anil and Ritesh around there will always be humour in the air. I love the people, the culture, which is very fascinating.... Calcutta has been lucky for me and today I had a blast as well! (Breaks into the patent Ooh la la dance step and blows a kiss at the crowd.)

FARHAN AKHTAR

You have been to Eden Gardens before…

This is probably my fourth match at Eden Gardens and actually I have seen more matches here than at Wankhede Stadium! 

What makes the Eden experience special?

To start with, the capacity of the stadium and the fact that so many people who are so vocal and passionate! There is always an energy here. The only time I heard silence at Eden Gardens was when Dada (Sourav Ganguly) once got bowled first ball... 

If you were to own an IPL team, what would you call it and which five players would you pick?

I think I would go with a new team. Probably Goa… like a Goan Giants or something (laughs). I would pick Dhoni for sure as the captain, Rohit Sharma… I am a huge fan of Brendon McCullum... as a bowler (Lasith) Malinga will be on and (R) Ashwin. From KKR, Yusuf Pathan and Sunil Narine.

As told to Pramita Ghosh

“My mom gets conscious when she sees Ranveer Singh,” giggled Sakshi Dhoni.

I tried to pretend I didn’t hear that as Ranveer sent out a pelvic thrust to the 66,000-strong crowd at Eden Gardens with the beats of Tu ne maari entriyaan from Gunday ringing out loud. The Dil Dhadakne Do dude was most certainly enjoying the attention, little knowing that among the many dils he set dhadko-ing, one belonged to Dhoni’s mother-in-law.
There were more secrets and sights that I overheard and saw on Sunday evening at the IPL finals. Like two girls who patiently stood outside the Mens toilet with their camera phones because Anil Kapoor was inside. A fan who tore a Rs 500 note into two, so that Farhan Akhtar could leave his autograph on one half, and Ranveer on the other. A schoolteacher who clutched on to a yellow bandana that had until 10 minutes ago, been a fitting crown to the long-haired Sushant Singh Rajput. He had left it on a chair and it was now hers.

If you’re wondering why I had my eyes on everything but the match, it’s because I am no cricket fan. I sheepishly admit that I didn’t know which two teams would be playing in the IPL finals until Sunday evening. “It’s a complimentary ticket worth many thousands,” said my over-excited friend over the phone, trying to lure me to Eden. I crossed my eyebrows trying to think up an excuse when she mentioned that dinner by a five-star hotel would be part of the package. Suddenly, it was an offer I couldn’t resist. 

When I reached Eden, I shared lift space with a sophisticated middle-aged lady dressed in a fashionable sari with fine pearls. As we both stepped out, Anil Kapoor and Ranveer Singh passed by. “Hi Ranveer!” shouted the lady, waving her hand, running after the actor in her sari, unable to contain her excitement. I quickly learnt that fandom is far above sophistication.  

Soon after, I was sitting with the CSK fans, cheering for a team where I knew only one player — Dhoni. In the second half, when he got out, I clapped my hands over my mouth in (feigned) disbelief. I didn’t feel a drop of remorse but I had to keep up the show. Especially because Sakshi Dhoni and her BFF Poorna Patel (once upon a time linked with Suresh Raina) were in close quarters and the Sony Pix camera would be sure to pan over. As for the flames of firecrackers that burst forth with a loud bang every time a player went out… they could give any non-cricket fan a mini heart attack. Thankfully, I survived.
I ended the IPL final at the buffet, where I surrendered to 10 types of desserts from Tiramisu to Chocolate-dipped Marshmallows. But not before seeing Anil Sir oblige a group of fans with “Jhakkaaasss!” and clicking Dhoni’s daughter Ziva in a snug suit that had ‘Future Captain’ written on it.

The show must go on! 

— An accidental cricket watcher at Eden