First it was this and then it was the 2^nd match between Kolkotta Knight Riders vs. (what’s that) Hyderabad team, where Bollywood’s so called Badshah was seen pimping for his (feed an entire African nation worth) team. And joining him in this charade, who’s who of the Hindi Film Industry were also seen shaking a leg.

By the way - what’s with the Gandhi Son-in-law aka. Mr. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra? The pace at which he was hopping, I am guessing an item number in SRK’s next home production is definitely on the cards.

Even though I think of Shah Rukh as nothing more than an average actor turned premium marketing whore – I do agree, the man is gifted with Midas’s touch. Kolkotta Knight Riders have won two matches in a row.

However looking at SRK’s history of buying film awards, I wouldn’t be surprised if dal mein kuch kala was here too.

Anyhoo, the man continues to produce crap and we, the desi junta, keep lapping it up.

“A lot has been happening in the last few months, everytime I have played in India there has been some kind of problem so we just thought it was better not to play at this point,” the star (Sania Mirza) told reporters in Hyderabad on Monday. [Link]

I and many others whole-heartedly stand by her decision.

Frankly speaking up until now, my opinion of the young lady was very much limited to her sporting career. Agreed, being a successful story in a society still stuck in the dark ages, is in itself a remarkable achievement. But her backing out of the - Actress Kushboo + Pre-marital Sex controversy in 2005 – somehow left a bad taste in my mouth.

But now looking back at the same incident, I can’t help but sympathize with her (then) decision; especially after the woman she was (initially) supporting retracted her own statement after being pressured by the hypocrite system.

I believe everyone has a boiling point – meaning, there is just so much one can take without any retaliation. And I am guessing Sania just reached hers.

At one end we have the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Vijay Mallya investing millions of rupees in an overly popular sport, all in the name of encouraging new talent. Obviously none of them are ready to discuss the millions they are set to gain once IPL Tournament begins next month.

And the other end, we have Bollywood’s Khiladi No. 1 aka. Akshay Kumar lending a helping hand where it really matters and could end-up making a huge difference.

Akshay Kumar is all set to sponsor and take care of the financial needs of five wrestlers in Mumbai. All are at present associated with the Maharashtra Wrestling Association.

Show organiser, promoter and Congress party spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam said, “Akshay will be taking care of their basic needs such as food, gear and travel.  We have already set up a huge ‘akhada’ in Goregoan for their training and Akshay has promised that he would be visiting it from time to time. In our country, 99 per cent of the sponsorships go to cricket, tennis and football. Apart from cricket, we hardly have any standing in the international sporting arena. There are some sports where people like Sania Mirza do well individually, but such stories are few and far between. But I feel very hopeful about wrestling and this will help us.” [Link]

Now that’s what I call “Asli Mard” – Good on you Akki baba, hopefully unlike others you will keep to your word.