Shah Rukh Khan very focused on cricket, says former England captain David Gower

Few actors can match the standing and fan following of megastar Shah Rukh Khan. Also known as King Khan or Badshah, he has remained the number one actor in Bollywood for over two decades.

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Of the 16 Bollywood films which have made more than $10 million overseas, nine have starred Shah Rukh.

He once remarked in an interview, “I would be very disappointed if I am not the next James Bond. It’s my life’s dream to wear a tuxedo and hold a gun in one arm and a lady in the other arm.” And yes, there would be songs and dances too, in true Bollywood style!

Former England captain David Gower poses for a photograph. File/AFP

Now praise for the superstar has come in from an entirely different quarter: former England captain David Gower.

Despite being a global icon, Shah Rukh comes across as an astute cricket fan and he means serious business when it comes to leading from the front as a co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, two-time former champions of the Indian Premier League, feels Gower.

In a freewheeling chat on 'Q20', an initiative by GloFans for fans to get up close with sporting icons through a unique and interactive Q&A session, Gower concedes that despite being a man of such repute and coming from a different vocation, his love and passion for the game is something that is indeed worth praising.

"I was in Kolkata last year and was invited to the match between KKR and Kings XI Punjab. I was delivering a speech and from there after the dinner was escorted straight to the Eden Gardens for the match. It was at the fag end of the match when I reached and was led straight to Shah Rukh's den and was introduced to him. I had a formal introduction with him and that is when I realised that he is an ardent fan of the game and a very passionate owner," Gower said.

This photo shows the match between KKR and Kings XI Punjab. File

"I got just got the impression that he wanted, you know, his prime motive was there to watch the game. He wasn't really at that stage too fussed about, you know, sitting down having a long conversation, but it was very nice to be introduced to him and see that is what strikes me about people like that. I mean, they have their own reputations, huge as they are. They love this game of cricket. It's extraordinary, not just in India, but you know, here in the UK, around the world, the sort of people who become passionate about the game of cricket.

"The match was easily won by KKR when I got to the stadium and despite that, SRK was still very much focused on the game. But for me, the interesting thing, apart from meeting him, of course was that just to be there at night, all game for the first time. Eden Gardens is one of the greatest stadiums, obviously because of its reputation and size, the number of people it can accommodate. So just to be there was special, to meet SRK made it even more special.

"And without giving away too many secrets, he did say that if, Knight Riders had made the playoffs, he might just fly me back, come and see how they got on. Sadly, that wasn't to be, but I'm available. Next time, Knight Riders get to the semi-finals, get to the play-offs of the IPL, I would love to be there," he concluded.