Bhubaneswar: Putting all speculation to rest, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday said that Odisha is looking forward to welcoming Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan at the opening ceremony of Men’s Hockey World Cup in Odisha capital on November 27.
News about the superstar attending the opening ceremony of the mega event at Kalinga Stadium here has been making the rounds since long.
Taking to Twitter, Naveen also expressed gratitude to the actor for pledging support to Indian hockey team.
CM @Naveen_Odisha thanked iconic film star @iamsrk for pledging support to Indian hockey team and welcomed Mr. Shah Rukh Khan to the opening ceremony of #HockeyWorldCup2018 at #Bhubaneswar #OdishaWelcomesSRK https://t.co/qCAkpbB8qH
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) October 9, 2018
Earlier, when the Indian hockey players asked SRK via video in Twitter if he would be a part of the hockey tournament and support them, the actor said he would jump at the opportunity.
“I wish you and our team the best. Hockey is the pride of India. We will cheer Chak De India! Thank you for thinking of me. #HeartBeatsForHockey.”
Neki aur pooch pooch? Mujhe bolne ki der hai mere bhai, main koodh kar pahunch jaoonga! I wish u and our team the best. Hockey is the pride of India. We will cheer Chak De India! Thank u for thinking of me. Mera Dil Hockey ke liye bahut tez dhadakta hai!!! #HeartBeatsForHockey https://t.co/2F8XA07Khq
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 9, 2018
According to sources, efforts are on to rope in another Bollywood star Akshay Kumar for either the opening or closing ceremony of the sporting event to be held from November 28 to December 16. Talks are also on with Madhuri Dixit, the sources added.
Grammy and Academy Award-winning musician A R Rahman has already confirmed his dates for the opening day of the event. He along with musical legend Gulzar are creating the official song of the quadrennial event.
The Chief Minister had earlier lauded Rahman and Gulzar for agreeing to compose the track, ‘Jai Hind Hind, Jai India’.
While the opening ceremony will be held on November 27, the song will be released at the Kalinga Stadium inauguration scheduled for early October, he had further said.
