Getting sporty-Chak De

Getting sporty
Promoting Formula 1 for Tag Heuer and hockey for Chak De, Shah Rukh Khan says he loves playing games
Suruchi Mazumdar

How passionate are you about sports in real life?
I always wanted to be a sportsman. My father was a hockey player and I used to be a good field hockey player during my school and college days too. I also played cricket and was chosen for junior cricket team in school. But I couldn't continue with sports after I hurt my back. Now I play soccer with my children every evening in our garden.

Do you think cricket is overrated in India?
No, I'm glad there's at least one sport we love and follow. Ideally, a country like ours should follow six sports. We've also done well in other sports like wrestling and hockey. We won gold at Olympics for hockey. But the interest in cricket is more because of its high viewership. Cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar have taken the sport to an exciting level. But no, I don't think any other sport is suffering because of it.

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Do cricket stars give you competition when it comes to endorsing products?
I never compete with anyone. Besides, we endorse products together.

What are India's chances of winning the World Cup?
I think our berth is assured at the semifinals. Then on a good day, anything can happen.

Do you think sports stars are sexier than film stars?
Do you want me to say that I find Rahul Dravid or Virender Sehwag sexy?

Do you hope to make a difference in women's sports with Chak De?
As an actor, I think I should promote a cause in my country. Hockey in India is lacking in sponsors and I hope things change for better very soon. I will be happy if I am able to bring about a change in even two people with the film.

We hear you have become regular in the gym.
I spent more time in the gym to get some relief from my back pain. It's not as if I was going through some mega-gymming for Chak De.