The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Shah Rukh Khan’s absence likely for ongoing IPL match

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Sunday, May 11, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Shah Rukh Khan’s absence likely for ongoing IPL match

V. V. Subrahmanyam

The star was “advised” not to come to Hyderabad for ‘security’ reasons

Team arrives in the city for clash against Deccan Charters today
For the fans, neither the heat nor the security threat seem to be a deterrent

HYDERABAD: David Hussey, frontline batsman from Australia for Kolkata Knight Riders, was not really unhappy when asked how the cricketers on the field are feeling about their franchisee owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan hogging all the media limelight during the ongoing IPL match.

And, when the team arrived on Saturday in the City for it’s crucial clash against Deccan Chargers on Sunday, there is predictable excitement about whether big star will be there or not for the match.

Interestingly, the organisers are not giving any clear message on this front even while saying that the star was “advised” not to come to Hyderabad for ‘security’ reasons. Or will he turn up to the pleasant surprise of the fans?

Indisputable is the craze of the Hyderabadis to have a glimpse of the celebrity from the tinsel world with his famed gestures to cheer up the Saurav Ganguly-led Knight Riders.

It is, however, revealed that Shah Rukh’s wife would be coming for the match with her entourage to back her team.

“Shah Rukh is a superstar and his mere presence is a great inspiration. He is a great fellow, always looking for 100 per cent effort from all of us,” reminds David Hussey.

Meanwhile, the other big attraction, the Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akthar, despite being in the news for all wrong reasons of late, continues to be a crowd-puller.

The hosts cite that his presence was one of the big reasons for nearly 30,000 tickets of various denominations sold out already. It is expected to be the biggest turn-out at the venue despite the scorching heat as the match starts at 4.00 pm.

The way some of the college girls lined up at the nets to have a close look at their favourite star, not really stretching out, was a fair indication of his popularity.

But for the fans, neither the heat nor the security threat seem to be a deterrent even as the focus veers around the showmen – Shah Rukh Khan and Shoaib Akthar.

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