Possibly for the first time in the history of Indian cinema, stars of 6 major cinemas fraternity is coming together at the same place. The curtain-raiser of the second edition of the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) saw several filmi celebs from across the country in attendance. If cricket and cinema are the only two religions for you, then Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) is going to be your new addiction. While you wait for that to happen, take a peek into the CCL 2012 calendar. From Sonakshi Sinha to Shriya Saran, they all posed for their favorite team.
On Monday night,19th December, Novatel Center Hyderabad saw the likes of Salman Khan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Boney Kapoor, Sohail Khan, Sarath Kumar, Radhika, Sunil Shetty, Sridevi, Vishal, Venkatesh, Sudeep, Shriya Saran, Jeet, Lakshmi Rai, Priyamani, Sanjana, Aindrita Ray, Charmi, Sameera Reddy, Genelia D’Souza, Ambareesh and Bharath turned up in their respective jerseys at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC).
The flight from major cities to Hyderabad was full of film stars, thanks to the punctuality of the airlines had a great time with them in the airport lounge and then in the plane. What happened at that time is a different story by itself.

Sonu Nigam and Neha Dhupia played perfect hosts, setting the tone for a big gala evening is always hard, but with mostly entertainers in the crowd waiting for the bigger spectacle to happen. The event began with a performance by South siren Shriya Saran, who grooved to a medley of popular Telugu and Tamil numbers, setting the stage for the reigning champions, the Chennai Rhinos, led by Vishal, for a walk down the ramp.
This was followed by a stand-up act by Kapil Sharma, who had the audience in splits. Then it was the turn of the new entrants Boney and Sridevi Kapoor, owners of the Bengal Tigers team, to present their team, led by Bengali superstar Jeet.

Lakshmi Rai’s grove was followed by another new entrant team, the Kerala Strikers. Richa Gangopadhyay followed, as one team after another walked down the ramp.
The best was saved for the last when Salman Khan walked in at 11.40 pm, sending the energy levels soaring. The event came to a close with the launch of the 2012 calendar featuring the hottest leading ladies from the country’s six film industries.
The post launch party saw the stars out of the jerseys and into their finest, letting their hair down, The party did not end there, Sallu Bhai hosted another party for his brother’s (Sohail Khan) birthday and a little bird told us that quite a few stars were miffed on be blocked by enthusiastic bouncers who were keen on stopping any kind of gate crashing.

What happens when stars play Cricket?

The scene: Commercial shoot of Kerala CCL team. The team owners and players are busy, various photo shoots are happening at different corners of the stadium. But most of the eyes are focused on Mohanlal, who is doing what we all know him to do the best, perform in front of the camera. Full decked in cricketing gear, Lal plays a glorious cover drive against a phantom bowler. Coach Chandrasenan is ecstatic, cries out “Wonderful shot”. Glancing around, the coach comments “had he taken up a career in cricket he would have done wonderfully. I have never met a person who grasps things so fast” guess cricketer is another character role.
Once the leading lady of Malayalam, now a successful business woman, Lissy Priyadarshan is always amidst the action wherever she is. Spreading cheer and confidence she is very upbeat about the team’s prospect for the CCL cup. “Wait and watch, they are wonderful cricketers, all of you might think what cricket can film stars play but they a have been practicing intensely”

Mr.P.M.Shaji is the co- owner of Kerala Strikers along with Padmasree Lt.Col Mohanlal and Lissy Priyadarshan. Must be because of his directorship at Cold Point Pvt LTD, a company in Air conditioning industry, the heat and dust of the stadium does not seem to affect him. Dressed sharply in black shirt and grey slacks, Shaji’s firm handshake still retains coolness as if he just stepped out of shower. His face brightens up when asked about the Kerala Striker’s team. “We wanted an occasion for all the film stars to come together. Normally this happens only during someone’s marriage or during the puja of a movie. As for the stars of other industries one rarely meets them, unless for some award ceremony. This thing changes everything.”

Rest of the team is sitting in a hurdle, the mood is upbeat and the rising heat of the sun is yet to affect their spirits. The camaraderie is very visible. There is no hierarchy here; all players no stars. The discipline with which they moved around the field was impressive and their dress code on par with any international sports team. Even though there are visible finger injuries and bruised elbows, nobody is wearing any finger guards or crepe bandages. Obviously a gusty lot, heroics not limited to reel life. During the photo shoot, when Mohanlal took a wicket, everyone encircled him and Dr.Rajeev Pillai hugged him. The hug was so hard that Mohanlal had to remind him that it is only a photo shoot. Lal was heard saying, “How brutal his actual hug would be, if this is his intensity.”

What Happened Before

For those ill informed, let us enlighten you. Celebrity Cricket League is in its second edition this time around. The First edition flagged off by Shahrukh khan in Bengaluru saw the Chennai Rhino’s beating Karnataka Bulldozers. The Chennai Rhinos were over the top with their game as they spelled a fabulous show in all the panoramas – Batting, Bowling and Fielding. Karnataka Bulldozers were restricted to 159 IN 20 overs against the chase of 190.

The CCL Insider.

Cut to:

Practice match at the St. Paul’s college ground, Kalamassery
The practice match was full on at the St. Paul’s college ground, Kalamassery. The energy level was sky high. The actors have, by now, transformed themselves into disciplined players determined to win the game. Even with schedules getting tighter and tighter most of them made it to the practice match. Captain Mohanlal, the Sukumaran brothers-Indrajith and Prithviraj and Asif Ali are the only ones short of match practice.
Chief Coach Chandrasenan seemed to be extremely contended with the splendid defiance that the Kerala Strikers were posing against the C3 Team, a team that plays league cricket. Manikuttan claimed 3 vital wickets. He clean stumps the last batsman claiming the fourth wicket. “All players are working hard. The one who surprised me with his agility is Mohanlal. I was amazed by his deliveries. During nets practice, he gave only 2 wides out of 52 bowls. He took one wicket too” Says Senan. Assistant Coach Sunil is cheering Riyaz for his good fielding and sportsman spirit.

“I think we are playing really bad today. They easily retained the upper hand throughout the game.” One of the C3 team members was heard saying. Senan gives a happy look to Sunil and comments “It is not that they were playing badly, just that the Kerala Strikers improved immensely.”
They were a band of lazy boys who used to play cricket for fun. Now they have turned into serious men playing the gentleman’s game. “The entire team is an intelligent lot as they understand and capture things easily. The team is now ready to play A- Division. The team’s average Age is 30 years. Diet has to be controlled. They have to drink more water. Warm up and down is also very important.” Senan speaks of the transformation.
“Initially some of us didn’t even know how to use the accessories.” Manikuttan chuckles. The coaches interferes our conversation with a pat on the back. “Well bowled Manikutta. Just be careful when you bowl for a left hander, and then make sure you pack the offside and play”

“There was no misfielding. They covered overthrow, covered stumps.” Senan can’t stop beaming.
Meanwhile, Coach Sunil scolds Nikhil for talking during the match. Nikhil gives his usual cool smile, charms the coach and walks away to drink water.
Wide is very crucial in 20 20. Time is also on check. After 85 minutes, for every 4 minutes there is a fine of Rupees 3 lakhs.

“During our trip to Hyderabad, Vivek, Senan and Manikuttan came from Trivandrum and all others were from Kochi. Edavela Babu, the manager, was particular about keeping the time. He pestered everyone to be on time. Actors are infamously late usually. But that day, when every one of them came on time, the flight was two hours late. So we raided a hotel inside the airport. We kept on ordering food. Waiter was confused about who ordered what. And we did make use of the situation. Finally the waiter ran away.” Says Vinu Mohan.
Rajeev and calls him VV and
Vinu Mohan is VV or Vaayu Vinu for his team mates. It is his bowling that gave him the name. “He lets everything for the Vaayu, the ball reaches the other end by the sheer luck and help from the God of air.” explains Prajod Kalabhavan and Saiju Kurup

Vinu admits that he is the butt of many jokes, the celebrities have. His background in Aviation Technology is one reason. At the airport, he called up some of his friends and they said the flight would arrive only by 5 which he declared to the group. But the flight arrived earlier at 4. Asif and the rest of the group pulled Vinu’s legs during the entire flight. Now, when he opens his mouth to utter something, the rest of them say “Aviation, Stop.”
Dr.Rajeev Pillai’s diet is yet another insider joke. He eats 15 egg whites a day. Prajod Kadakkal says it is the secret to Rajeev’s modeling career. To get an entry into the NYFW you need to eat 15 eggs. His neighbours’ dog is a story of popularity now. Rajeev eats the egg white and give the dog the rest of it. It was skinny earlier. But all the cholesterol intake lead to heart attack and it died last week. Saiju Kurup adds that there were other dogs before this one that were treated by Rajeev’s leftovers.
For the actors, playing in an open field is a new feeling. Even for the ones who does dramas and stage shows, the feeling of people are looking at you from all angles is a bit difficult to cope with. At St. Paul’s Kalamassery, which has turned into their home ground, there are is no crowd to watch the game. The collge students are good friends with the team. The physical education teacher treats them like his students.
Team manager Edavela Babu claims that he is losing his big tummy watching his team play cricket. Team members counters it and declare that during the ramp walk at Hyderabad, the audience complained they couldn’t see his face but only the tummy.

At Hyderabad, Kerala Strikers was the most energetic team. Lissy was cheering like anything. She says confidently to every other team to find some other jobs as her team is going to win the cup. It seems like her spirit is spreading around. The team is just waiting for the camp at Kaloor International Stadium to start from

For the camp, the brand ambassadors, Lakshmi Rai and Bhavana will be there to cheer the team. The team members are preparing themselves for Bhavana’s sharp tongue. They know that none will be spared.