Our Bureau
Kolkata
Adding his charm to the opening ceremony of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan took centre stage at the jam-packed Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata.
SRK kick-started the ceremony, sending the crowd into a frenzy. He greeted the spectators and expressed his excitement about this year’s IPL tournament.
“As today the IPL turns 18, it comes away not as a league but as a movement, a celebration of sports, a festival of passion, a battleground where heroes are made. We are in the city of joy, Kolkata,” he said, evoking a loud cheer from the audience.
The superstar also introduced a stellar lineup of performers, including Shreya Ghoshal, Karan Aujla, and Disha Patani.
“A mega celebration for all of you by the biggest stars,” he said.
Shah Rukh looked dapper in a black jacket that he paired with a black shirt and pants, setting the tone for the exciting night ahead.
The IPL 2025 opening ceremony was loaded with entertainment, entertainment and entertainment, courtesy of Bollywood stars. Shreya Ghoshal brought magic to the ceremony with her soothing voice.
She enthralled the crowd by crooning her hit songs such as ‘Mera Dholna’ and ‘Kar Kar Har Maidan Fateh’. She also added a patriotic touch to the event by singing ‘Vande Mataram’.
Punjabi sensation Karan Aujla too wowed the crowd with his singing skills and set the “mahol pura wavy,” while Disha Patani set the stage on fire with her electrifying dance moves.
Today, the audience in Kolkata got lucky as they witnessed a star-studded crossover of Bollywood and cricket at the opening ceremony of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), courtesy of Shah Rukh Khan.
With his amazing hosting skills, SRK added “chaar chand” to the ceremony. The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the moment when SRK called former RCB captain ‘GOAT’ and shook a leg with him on his blockbuster song ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’.
The entire Eden Gardens erupted into loud ‘Kohli Kohli’ chants. Like the audience, SRK could not resist himself and chanted ‘Kohli Kohli’.
“Virat bhai is the only player who has been associated with just one team in the entirety of the IPL. He is the OG. The GOAT of IPL,” said Shah Rukh before asking Kohli to come on the stage.
“The king of 22 yards and a billion hearts. Let’s hear the loudest for the one and only the GOAT, Mr. Virat Kohli,” he added.
The audience left excited on seeing ‘King Kohli’ as he unleashed his dancing avatar with ‘King Khan’ at the jam-packed Eden Gardens.
In no time, fans flooded social media by uploading videos of SRK and Kohli’s ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’ dance.
