srk quits smoking

For the 20,000 people here watching Shah Rukh Khan perform Saturday, it was an unexpected announcement by the Bollywood badshah - "Sourav Ganguly is back in the Indian team!"

People clapped and roared, seemingly welcoming the news. "Congratulations! He is a good guy," said Shah Rukh, who is known for his keen interest in cricket and cricketers, as he enthralled audiences at the Temptation 2005 show.

People at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the venue of the show, were on their toes cheering for the most successful Indian cricket captain who has been re-inducted into the team for the Pakistan Test series.

Rani Mukerji, Priyanka Chopra, Esha Deol, Zayed Khan and singers Abhijit Sawant, Sweta Pandit and Jassi were among the others who performed at the live show.

While security personnel were on high alert in and around the show venue, many people failed to get their due seats even after repeated arguments with policemen.

There were thousands of eager fans screaming and waving their hands enthusiastically, as Shah Rukh offered to dance with a few of them on stage.

Only three of them, however, were lucky enough to shake a leg with the superstar.

Audiences broke into thunderous laughter, as Shah Rukh had a tough time dealing with Harjeet, a garment manufacturer, whom he invited to stage. Harjeet ended up giving a lecture on the merits of drinking alcohol when the actor asked him to do a jig "Devdas" style.

"Drinking alcohol and smoking are bad habits. Please stay away from these. I am not smoking these days," said Shah Rukh.

Two others to share the stage were Minu, a middle-aged teacher for disabled students, and Konika, a school student. Those invited to the stage received his autographed portraits, watches and other gifts from the superstar.

Despite having passes, many were stopped from entering the VIP enclosure.

"I am from the family of the chairman of one of the sponsors of this event and I have a pass. How can you stop me?" asked an annoyed gentleman.

"I understand you are from chairman's family. But what to do if there are not chairs?" pat came the reply from one of the security personnel deployed at the gate.

Journalists covering the event also had trouble finding their seats. Several confused reporters kept running from one place to another, as there were no separate sitting arrangements for them.

When a reporter approached a police official on duty, the latter said: "We do not have clear instructions. Please help yourself and just find a seat."

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