Koel Mallick, a popular Bengali actress Visited Sourav Ganguly's House at behala on the eve of Dada's 41st birthday. She has no prior experiences of being an interviewer. However when she faced Dada, questions came out of her mind automatically. The Interview Here:
Koel : We have completed eating the cake, Ready for the Interview ?
Dada: Ya, that's the toughest part
Koel(laughing): ya, i know.
Dada: Ok, lets start.
Koel: I dont know whether to keep this question as a part of the interview or not. This is your first b'day after the demise of your father. He was your hero. What are your feelings now?
Dada: What to say! It is a totally different birthday without my father. In the past, my father was the center of attraction despite of it being my bday. He used to crack a lot of jokes. lots of nice dishes were cooked. We all used to sit around him and have fun.I am feeling very sad today. we can't celebrate in this situation. so this time it will all be a quite affair. No celebrations
Koel: You are the Maharaj for many, 'Pride of Bengal' for most and an icon for lakhs of people. what should I call you throughout this whole interview.
Dada: Just Sourav (laughs)
Koel: Ok sourav, tell me, lots of people love you, as a result of that there is an added pressure. When you played, there were lots of people who switched off their TV sets, after your dismissal. My father (ranjit mallick, noted bengali actor) used to do the same. How you tackled the pressure of being loved by all.
Dada: i can remember, whenever i scored good runs, ranjit da used to send me a sms. You know koel, i'm very lucky. I am very fortunate for being loved by all. I dont say this as pressure. Actually i played a game, where a single delivery can decide your fortune. Media is always ready to criticize you. so compared to the pressure of media, its not a pressure for being loved by many. Moreover, i always believed, pressure is whatever you do with it. if you are not mentally strong, then pressure is going to pressurise you further, and if you are strong then you can deal with it. i knew how to deal with the pressure.
Koel: how did you deal with the pressure?
Dada: I created a zone for myself. Everything in life is about tackling it mentally. so, whenever, there was pressure, i went to that zone mentally. There in that zone, nothing mattered for me, whether its criticism or love. Nothing affected me at that zone. its almost like being immune. you cant succeed if you dont take your mind in that mental zone. you will fail definitely if you think that, i can be the captain tomorrow as i scored a century today, i scored a 200 so will take the man-of-the-series, i'm playing IPL to earn money. if you think only this, you will spoil your game.
Koel: hahhaaa... your zone is really very interesting.
Dada: ya, thats my small world but very important. Its important to create that world to handle the pressure.
Koel: Sourav, when you were the captain, India's fortune used to depend on your decisions. your small decisions could decide India's win/loss. how did you tackle such tensed moments ?
Dada: when I was made the captain in 2000, someone asked me to forget everything thats happening around the world, when i take the field. What media says, what ex-cricketers say, it should not matter you. I used to keep that mind set while taking the field. I just kept in my mind that neither the media nor the ex-cricketers can take decisions. As a captain, its me who will take the decisions. And for that, I will do my way. I used to take the field, just keeping in mind what decisions I have to take. Its a question of training your mind.
Koel: And which you did brilliantly.
Dada: I dont know about that. Everything is about dealing it mentally. you see sachin,,he has faced and dealt with more pressure than me in the last 20 years. So you a observe that after a certain stage the cricketers get aloof. you can hear people say, "oh, this cricketer doesn't mingle with others anymore!". How can he mingle! he is totally on a different world.
Koel: People belonging to entertainment world also create this world.
Dada: if you want to be successful, you have to create it.
Koel: yes exactly. actors also remainin different moods in different times. they remain depressed but once the camera in switched-on then they get switched-off.
Dada: Exactly koel. Dhoni does this brilliantly. he doesn't speak to anyone, remains in his own world.and more than that, one thing went on my mind just after few years of playing cricket.
Koel: What's that ?
Dada: if there are 10 people in this world, 5 will love you other 5 will not. You can't make everyone happy however you try.
Koel: Ya, and thats not possible all the time.
Dada: correct. and what's the point in making everyone happy. You have to deal alone with those 5 people who are against you
Koel: you are alone in this respect.
Dada: yes, totally alone
Koel: You are an inspiration for many, i want to know eagerly, whom you take inspiration from?
Dada : Different people have different methods. i was not at all a goal-oriented person. i remember when i was 15 yrs, Dada (snehashish) was 22. when we played together, that time i remember dada woke up at 5am. he was the first to be ready and he woke me up at as late as 7:30. i could only manage a cup of tea before going on to field. sometimes that mind set helps. just think of yourself and nothing else. just enjoy
Koel: you have told many a times, that the mind set you had playing your first test at lord's didn't come back again.
Dada: yes, i played 100 tests, but nothing matched the mind set i had when playing the first test. sometimes ignorance is a bliss. There was nothing to loose for me at lord's. my mind set changed since the second test. then i used to think, can i get runs in the next test!
Koel: means, the pressure of performance started ?
Dada: yes. actually. Pressure comes once you score a century on your arrival to international platform.
Koel: i can understand, huge pressure that.
Dada: But you know what? , i have learnt, a thing playing the game.
Koel: what's that?
Dada: if you try hard in training and practice, then the results are bound to come good. Your homework, your training will never go wasted. May be in a particular match, you will not find success, but certainly, in a more crucial game, your hard work will be acknowledged.
Koel: So Hard work brings you confidence?
Dada: i will not call it a confidence, its a belief. it gave me a belief but this belief doesnt come at 17-18 yrs, it comes when you are 28-30 years old and fate is another factor. nothing is possible without fate.
Koel: You used to keep a lot of chains with stones, during your matches.
Dada: Mom told me to wear all those. but yes, i personally believe a lot in God
Koel: You had any superstitions ?
Dada: yes, i always wore the left pad first.
Koel: Did anyone else have any superstition during your time? afterall cricketers are known to be superstitious.
Dada: yes yes they are. lets think, when we enter at a venue to play a test match. If the player had played at the same venue and has got runs. you can see that the cricketer had taken the same seat in the dressing room, where he sat the previous year. Dravid and sachin both used to sit in their favourite seats. i think its alright, but its only you who have to face brett lee in the test match.
Koel: what do you feel, when lara tells that you are the greatest indian captain and dravid calls you the God of off-side?
Dada: it feels good. Its a satisfaction when a fellow cricketer and an opponent praises you.
Koel: which cricketers do you admire the most?
Dada: Sunil Gavaskar. Used to admire kapil dev after winning the 1983 world cup. Since i'm a lefty, i admired david gower and border. Admired dravid for the manner in which he would go about things.
Koel: what did dravid do?
Dada: dravid is like the first boy of the class. used to sleep early before the match. Ate the correct diet. used to reach the breakfast table before anyone. His cricket kit is absolutely perfect. Absolutely spick and span. would press the collar button on wearing a shirt. Absolutely first boy.
Koel: hahahaaaaa....
Dada: yes true. on the other hand, if you see sachin. pads and gloves scattered all over the hotel room. doing something every time holding the bat.
Koel: How was your hotel room during a match?
Dada: i was all over the place. everything remained scattered.
Koel: what you used to do, when you were depressed? low on confidence. what did you use to do?
Dada: Then i used to think about the good times. it was my habit that whenever i scored a century, on returning the hotel, immediately i wrote about my mindset and whenever i felt low on confidence, i read those writings. read about my preparations on how to face which bowler. This instilled me a lot of confidence.
Koel: where are those writings today?
Dada: (laughs) dont know. let me tell you a story. A test match against Pakistan at Bengaluru. I didnt score much that season. lots of criticisms in the media. A practice session was held before the match. After the lunch that day, i returned to my room and slept. Was not feeling good after i woke up. Wverytime i thought i would again fail the next day. i was very depressed. then i planned to take a run. started walking alone through the field just beside the team hotel. bengaluru is mad about its cricket. many came towards me. some assured me not to worry much and told me that i will surely get runs. I was running hearing this, and understood i'm observing everything. i returned to the hotel just before the team meeting at 7:30pm. I was feeling better. I understood this is called life. some people will tell good things about you, some will tell bad. your job is to run. my mind became clear.
Koel: Thats a lovely story. what was your first thought when greg chappell saga started?
Dada: as i said earlier, there will be 5 people who will love you rest 5 will hate you. here also same. at times it acts as motivation. i knew i have to survive any how
Koel: when you made the comeback under chappell, didn't you feel for a moment about how you paid back to chappell's allegations?
Dada: no no not at all. just after getting the runs, i thought "yes, i belong to this team". and i knew that many players inside the team supported me. There was harbhajan, sachin, sehwag, dhoni (surprise surprise). yes, the environment in the team was that, no one could speak freely. but i knew that they were happy that i'm back. and the life of a sports person is small. so i wanted to make full use of it.
Koel: our entertainement world is like that only.
Dada: yes, but you can work for a few more days. your role can be changed, but you can continue to act. Bumba da (prasenjit chatterjee) is working gloriously today also. on the other hand, samprass left tennis just at the age of 29. see federer, he is in downfall just at an age of 30. thats why i said, life of a sports man is very short.
Koel: sourav, both of us have grown up in joint families. what do you think as a captain, you earned the support of your players, for that, this 'joint family' concept has helped you?
Dada: yes, it did. joint family has taught me how to lead a lot of people. and what joint family teaches us is the adjustment.
Koel: is this 41 yr old sourav, different from the sourav of 21-22 yrs ?
Dada: definitely. i have changed a lot. Those who tell that they have not changed with their age, are lying. i have changed a lot.
Koel: What about you salman khan act of 2002 ?
Dada: Salman Khan Act?
Koel: your bare chest show at lord's.
Dada: That was a 'heat-of-the-moment' reaction. will not do it again.
Koel: seeing that reaction, i felt that the child within sourav has come out.
Dada: That i dont know, but i will not repeat it in the future.
Koel: The problem in our profession is we cant hide our marksheet. you work in a office, there if you have promotion or demotion, that will remain withing a few persons. but thats not the case for us. didnt you feel tired seeing this marksheet continuously?
Dada: yes, i felt it. for that i used to go to england. i like that country. i have bought a flat there. would like to go to england till the last days of my life.
Dada: i love one thing about England very much.
Koel: What's that?
Dada: There I can walk freely without much disturbance. If i get tired, then i can sit at a nearby coffee shop and drink a cup of coffee. coffee tables are kept on the footpath.
Koel: Yes.
Dada: I sit and drink coffee there. see different types of people. England gives me a lot of peace.
Koel: Didn't you feel once that you could not do a particular thing in life because of your celebrity status? Whenever it rains, I feel to go in front of the victoria memorial to get wet. But cant do that, because of my celebrity status. Didn't you feel like this anytime? Didn't you feel that you can't walk on the footpath.
Dada: No, i didn't feel like walking on the footpath before. but during my tenure as Indian captain i did a lot things like this. Went to Alipore to eat at a roadside vendor. Went to restaurants. What would happen! people will come and talk to you, will click photos, take autograph. That will take a maximum 5-7 minutes. the rest of the time belongs to me. after leaving the game, I dont feel like doing it. don't have that excitement.
Koel: You don't feel the same excitement!
Dada: No Koel. No excitement. there is a heaven and hell difference between the time when I played cricket and now. when I announced my retirement, media asked me what is the thing i'm going to miss the most. I said, nothing can beat that thrill which i got facing brett lee and other bowlers and scoring centuries against them.
Koel: Dadagiri starting once again.
Dada: yes. starting again. but i didn't see a single episode of the show.
Koel: what are you saying!
Dada: yes. didn't see a single episode. I do commentary. But didn't feel like it. I did a programme for ndtv but didn't see a single episode of that. but when i see the clippings of my match in tv, i sit and see it fully.
Koel: Even if those clippings are shown on 2:30 at night.
Dada: it doesn't matter for me. i just watch.
Koel: you are going to get a lot of gifts on your birthday.
Dada: dhush!!! no one gives me gifts other than Sana. She gave me a card during Father's day.
Koel: are you a conventional father?
Dada: yes yes. i'm a very conventional father. I'm a 'go to father'. Sana comes to me if she wants anything from me. Yesterday, she had her maths tuition but didn't want to go there. i said ok. but when dona came, she scolded both of us. i take her to school. some times i pick her up from the school. i take her to any of her friend's birthday party, despite of that fact that i was not being invited.
Koel: what do you think of your past in this 41st birthday?
Dada: Its been a good journey. but life has changed after i stopped playing. as i said earlier, i don't feel the same excitement. Yes, cricket gives me a lot of pleasure today also. Feel glad when Dhoni's team wins and sad when they lose but i don't get overlly happy or overlly sad.
Koel: my father is your fan you know. my husband nishpal singh rane also respects you a lot. he has told me to ask you what is your take on IPL scandal?
Dada: see, for me test cricket is the purest form of cricket. but the players who are playing IPL for them, its also a game of cricket. the entertainment which IPL brings is outside the cricket field. There is SRK, Priety. But for cricketers its a competitive cricket match. 20 over cricket is here to stay. IPL will stay.
Koel: Today, when India plays, dont you feel, "alas! I should have stayed in the dressing room"!
Dada: no, I dont feel like it. i just think that kapil dev, gavaskar all had to announce retirement. don bradman also had to announce retirement. after the upcoming south africa series, sachin is also going to announce retirement. Its all about a circle of life.
Koel: our job is such, if we go out of the limelight for once, people forget you.
Dada: but I think, people dont forget. today also people remember Uttam Kumar (greatest romantic hero bengali industry has ever produced). they remember suchitra sen (opposite of uttam kumar). will people forget amitabh bachchan any day? have they forgotten dilip kumar? have they forgotten kapil dev, sunil gavasakar? srk's DDLJ is 20 yrs old now but still people remember it. you will see after 20 yrs people are still talking about you. those who really love you will remember you forever.
Koel: For the real fans, there will sentiment.
Dada: yes yes, for ever.
Koel: people understand there real friends during their bad times- you believe this?
Dada: no. i have stopped judging people. i cant recognize real friends. i have given it up. today I try to be nice to everyone. my life has changed totally. today, I dont wake up at 6:30am. dont have much training. just do a bit of training to keep my body fit cos my mother scolds me if she sees that i have put on weight.
Koel: hahaaa... thank you sourav. wish you a great 41st birthday.
Dada: thank you koel. you take care. have a great life.
Koel: finally sourav, the readers of ananda plus, are waiting for your birthday message.
Dada: My only message is that, you can be student, you can be an occupied person. you can be a businessman. you can be a home makes. do whatever you think, but try to achieve something in it. please be an achiever. otherwise life becomes boring and monotonous.
Courtesy: ABP Translated By : Shrayan Sen
Edited By: Arun Raghavan
Koel : We have completed eating the cake, Ready for the Interview ?
Dada: Ya, that's the toughest part
Koel(laughing): ya, i know.
Dada: Ok, lets start.
Koel: I dont know whether to keep this question as a part of the interview or not. This is your first b'day after the demise of your father. He was your hero. What are your feelings now?
Dada: What to say! It is a totally different birthday without my father. In the past, my father was the center of attraction despite of it being my bday. He used to crack a lot of jokes. lots of nice dishes were cooked. We all used to sit around him and have fun.I am feeling very sad today. we can't celebrate in this situation. so this time it will all be a quite affair. No celebrations
Koel: You are the Maharaj for many, 'Pride of Bengal' for most and an icon for lakhs of people. what should I call you throughout this whole interview.
Dada: Just Sourav (laughs)
Koel: Ok sourav, tell me, lots of people love you, as a result of that there is an added pressure. When you played, there were lots of people who switched off their TV sets, after your dismissal. My father (ranjit mallick, noted bengali actor) used to do the same. How you tackled the pressure of being loved by all.
Dada: i can remember, whenever i scored good runs, ranjit da used to send me a sms. You know koel, i'm very lucky. I am very fortunate for being loved by all. I dont say this as pressure. Actually i played a game, where a single delivery can decide your fortune. Media is always ready to criticize you. so compared to the pressure of media, its not a pressure for being loved by many. Moreover, i always believed, pressure is whatever you do with it. if you are not mentally strong, then pressure is going to pressurise you further, and if you are strong then you can deal with it. i knew how to deal with the pressure.
Koel: how did you deal with the pressure?
Dada: I created a zone for myself. Everything in life is about tackling it mentally. so, whenever, there was pressure, i went to that zone mentally. There in that zone, nothing mattered for me, whether its criticism or love. Nothing affected me at that zone. its almost like being immune. you cant succeed if you dont take your mind in that mental zone. you will fail definitely if you think that, i can be the captain tomorrow as i scored a century today, i scored a 200 so will take the man-of-the-series, i'm playing IPL to earn money. if you think only this, you will spoil your game.
Koel: hahhaaa... your zone is really very interesting.
Dada: ya, thats my small world but very important. Its important to create that world to handle the pressure.
Koel: Sourav, when you were the captain, India's fortune used to depend on your decisions. your small decisions could decide India's win/loss. how did you tackle such tensed moments ?
Dada: when I was made the captain in 2000, someone asked me to forget everything thats happening around the world, when i take the field. What media says, what ex-cricketers say, it should not matter you. I used to keep that mind set while taking the field. I just kept in my mind that neither the media nor the ex-cricketers can take decisions. As a captain, its me who will take the decisions. And for that, I will do my way. I used to take the field, just keeping in mind what decisions I have to take. Its a question of training your mind.
Koel: And which you did brilliantly.
Dada: I dont know about that. Everything is about dealing it mentally. you see sachin,,he has faced and dealt with more pressure than me in the last 20 years. So you a observe that after a certain stage the cricketers get aloof. you can hear people say, "oh, this cricketer doesn't mingle with others anymore!". How can he mingle! he is totally on a different world.
Koel: People belonging to entertainment world also create this world.
Dada: if you want to be successful, you have to create it.
Koel: yes exactly. actors also remainin different moods in different times. they remain depressed but once the camera in switched-on then they get switched-off.
Dada: Exactly koel. Dhoni does this brilliantly. he doesn't speak to anyone, remains in his own world.and more than that, one thing went on my mind just after few years of playing cricket.
Koel: What's that ?
Dada: if there are 10 people in this world, 5 will love you other 5 will not. You can't make everyone happy however you try.
Koel: Ya, and thats not possible all the time.
Dada: correct. and what's the point in making everyone happy. You have to deal alone with those 5 people who are against you
Koel: you are alone in this respect.
Dada: yes, totally alone
Koel: You are an inspiration for many, i want to know eagerly, whom you take inspiration from?
Dada : Different people have different methods. i was not at all a goal-oriented person. i remember when i was 15 yrs, Dada (snehashish) was 22. when we played together, that time i remember dada woke up at 5am. he was the first to be ready and he woke me up at as late as 7:30. i could only manage a cup of tea before going on to field. sometimes that mind set helps. just think of yourself and nothing else. just enjoy
Koel: you have told many a times, that the mind set you had playing your first test at lord's didn't come back again.
Dada: yes, i played 100 tests, but nothing matched the mind set i had when playing the first test. sometimes ignorance is a bliss. There was nothing to loose for me at lord's. my mind set changed since the second test. then i used to think, can i get runs in the next test!
Koel: means, the pressure of performance started ?
Dada: yes. actually. Pressure comes once you score a century on your arrival to international platform.
Koel: i can understand, huge pressure that.
Dada: But you know what? , i have learnt, a thing playing the game.
Koel: what's that?
Dada: if you try hard in training and practice, then the results are bound to come good. Your homework, your training will never go wasted. May be in a particular match, you will not find success, but certainly, in a more crucial game, your hard work will be acknowledged.
Koel: So Hard work brings you confidence?
Dada: i will not call it a confidence, its a belief. it gave me a belief but this belief doesnt come at 17-18 yrs, it comes when you are 28-30 years old and fate is another factor. nothing is possible without fate.
Koel: You used to keep a lot of chains with stones, during your matches.
Dada: Mom told me to wear all those. but yes, i personally believe a lot in God
Koel: You had any superstitions ?
Dada: yes, i always wore the left pad first.
Koel: Did anyone else have any superstition during your time? afterall cricketers are known to be superstitious.
Dada: yes yes they are. lets think, when we enter at a venue to play a test match. If the player had played at the same venue and has got runs. you can see that the cricketer had taken the same seat in the dressing room, where he sat the previous year. Dravid and sachin both used to sit in their favourite seats. i think its alright, but its only you who have to face brett lee in the test match.
Koel: what do you feel, when lara tells that you are the greatest indian captain and dravid calls you the God of off-side?
Dada: it feels good. Its a satisfaction when a fellow cricketer and an opponent praises you.
Koel: which cricketers do you admire the most?
Dada: Sunil Gavaskar. Used to admire kapil dev after winning the 1983 world cup. Since i'm a lefty, i admired david gower and border. Admired dravid for the manner in which he would go about things.
Koel: what did dravid do?
Dada: dravid is like the first boy of the class. used to sleep early before the match. Ate the correct diet. used to reach the breakfast table before anyone. His cricket kit is absolutely perfect. Absolutely spick and span. would press the collar button on wearing a shirt. Absolutely first boy.
Koel: hahahaaaaa....
Dada: yes true. on the other hand, if you see sachin. pads and gloves scattered all over the hotel room. doing something every time holding the bat.
Koel: How was your hotel room during a match?
Dada: i was all over the place. everything remained scattered.
Koel: what you used to do, when you were depressed? low on confidence. what did you use to do?
Dada: Then i used to think about the good times. it was my habit that whenever i scored a century, on returning the hotel, immediately i wrote about my mindset and whenever i felt low on confidence, i read those writings. read about my preparations on how to face which bowler. This instilled me a lot of confidence.
Koel: where are those writings today?
Dada: (laughs) dont know. let me tell you a story. A test match against Pakistan at Bengaluru. I didnt score much that season. lots of criticisms in the media. A practice session was held before the match. After the lunch that day, i returned to my room and slept. Was not feeling good after i woke up. Wverytime i thought i would again fail the next day. i was very depressed. then i planned to take a run. started walking alone through the field just beside the team hotel. bengaluru is mad about its cricket. many came towards me. some assured me not to worry much and told me that i will surely get runs. I was running hearing this, and understood i'm observing everything. i returned to the hotel just before the team meeting at 7:30pm. I was feeling better. I understood this is called life. some people will tell good things about you, some will tell bad. your job is to run. my mind became clear.
Koel: Thats a lovely story. what was your first thought when greg chappell saga started?
Dada: as i said earlier, there will be 5 people who will love you rest 5 will hate you. here also same. at times it acts as motivation. i knew i have to survive any how
Koel: when you made the comeback under chappell, didn't you feel for a moment about how you paid back to chappell's allegations?
Dada: no no not at all. just after getting the runs, i thought "yes, i belong to this team". and i knew that many players inside the team supported me. There was harbhajan, sachin, sehwag, dhoni (surprise surprise). yes, the environment in the team was that, no one could speak freely. but i knew that they were happy that i'm back. and the life of a sports person is small. so i wanted to make full use of it.
Koel: our entertainement world is like that only.
Dada: yes, but you can work for a few more days. your role can be changed, but you can continue to act. Bumba da (prasenjit chatterjee) is working gloriously today also. on the other hand, samprass left tennis just at the age of 29. see federer, he is in downfall just at an age of 30. thats why i said, life of a sports man is very short.
Koel: sourav, both of us have grown up in joint families. what do you think as a captain, you earned the support of your players, for that, this 'joint family' concept has helped you?
Dada: yes, it did. joint family has taught me how to lead a lot of people. and what joint family teaches us is the adjustment.
Koel: is this 41 yr old sourav, different from the sourav of 21-22 yrs ?
Dada: definitely. i have changed a lot. Those who tell that they have not changed with their age, are lying. i have changed a lot.
Koel: What about you salman khan act of 2002 ?
Dada: Salman Khan Act?
Koel: your bare chest show at lord's.
Dada: That was a 'heat-of-the-moment' reaction. will not do it again.
Koel: seeing that reaction, i felt that the child within sourav has come out.
Dada: That i dont know, but i will not repeat it in the future.
Koel: The problem in our profession is we cant hide our marksheet. you work in a office, there if you have promotion or demotion, that will remain withing a few persons. but thats not the case for us. didnt you feel tired seeing this marksheet continuously?
Dada: yes, i felt it. for that i used to go to england. i like that country. i have bought a flat there. would like to go to england till the last days of my life.
Dada: i love one thing about England very much.
Koel: What's that?
Dada: There I can walk freely without much disturbance. If i get tired, then i can sit at a nearby coffee shop and drink a cup of coffee. coffee tables are kept on the footpath.
Koel: Yes.
Dada: I sit and drink coffee there. see different types of people. England gives me a lot of peace.
Koel: Didn't you feel once that you could not do a particular thing in life because of your celebrity status? Whenever it rains, I feel to go in front of the victoria memorial to get wet. But cant do that, because of my celebrity status. Didn't you feel like this anytime? Didn't you feel that you can't walk on the footpath.
Dada: No, i didn't feel like walking on the footpath before. but during my tenure as Indian captain i did a lot things like this. Went to Alipore to eat at a roadside vendor. Went to restaurants. What would happen! people will come and talk to you, will click photos, take autograph. That will take a maximum 5-7 minutes. the rest of the time belongs to me. after leaving the game, I dont feel like doing it. don't have that excitement.
Koel: You don't feel the same excitement!
Dada: No Koel. No excitement. there is a heaven and hell difference between the time when I played cricket and now. when I announced my retirement, media asked me what is the thing i'm going to miss the most. I said, nothing can beat that thrill which i got facing brett lee and other bowlers and scoring centuries against them.
Koel: Dadagiri starting once again.
Dada: yes. starting again. but i didn't see a single episode of the show.
Koel: what are you saying!
Dada: yes. didn't see a single episode. I do commentary. But didn't feel like it. I did a programme for ndtv but didn't see a single episode of that. but when i see the clippings of my match in tv, i sit and see it fully.
Koel: Even if those clippings are shown on 2:30 at night.
Dada: it doesn't matter for me. i just watch.
Koel: you are going to get a lot of gifts on your birthday.
Dada: dhush!!! no one gives me gifts other than Sana. She gave me a card during Father's day.
Koel: are you a conventional father?
Dada: yes yes. i'm a very conventional father. I'm a 'go to father'. Sana comes to me if she wants anything from me. Yesterday, she had her maths tuition but didn't want to go there. i said ok. but when dona came, she scolded both of us. i take her to school. some times i pick her up from the school. i take her to any of her friend's birthday party, despite of that fact that i was not being invited.
Koel: what do you think of your past in this 41st birthday?
Dada: Its been a good journey. but life has changed after i stopped playing. as i said earlier, i don't feel the same excitement. Yes, cricket gives me a lot of pleasure today also. Feel glad when Dhoni's team wins and sad when they lose but i don't get overlly happy or overlly sad.
Koel: my father is your fan you know. my husband nishpal singh rane also respects you a lot. he has told me to ask you what is your take on IPL scandal?
Dada: see, for me test cricket is the purest form of cricket. but the players who are playing IPL for them, its also a game of cricket. the entertainment which IPL brings is outside the cricket field. There is SRK, Priety. But for cricketers its a competitive cricket match. 20 over cricket is here to stay. IPL will stay.
Koel: Today, when India plays, dont you feel, "alas! I should have stayed in the dressing room"!
Dada: no, I dont feel like it. i just think that kapil dev, gavaskar all had to announce retirement. don bradman also had to announce retirement. after the upcoming south africa series, sachin is also going to announce retirement. Its all about a circle of life.
Koel: our job is such, if we go out of the limelight for once, people forget you.
Dada: but I think, people dont forget. today also people remember Uttam Kumar (greatest romantic hero bengali industry has ever produced). they remember suchitra sen (opposite of uttam kumar). will people forget amitabh bachchan any day? have they forgotten dilip kumar? have they forgotten kapil dev, sunil gavasakar? srk's DDLJ is 20 yrs old now but still people remember it. you will see after 20 yrs people are still talking about you. those who really love you will remember you forever.
Koel: For the real fans, there will sentiment.
Dada: yes yes, for ever.
Koel: people understand there real friends during their bad times- you believe this?
Dada: no. i have stopped judging people. i cant recognize real friends. i have given it up. today I try to be nice to everyone. my life has changed totally. today, I dont wake up at 6:30am. dont have much training. just do a bit of training to keep my body fit cos my mother scolds me if she sees that i have put on weight.
Koel: hahaaa... thank you sourav. wish you a great 41st birthday.
Dada: thank you koel. you take care. have a great life.
Koel: finally sourav, the readers of ananda plus, are waiting for your birthday message.
Dada: My only message is that, you can be student, you can be an occupied person. you can be a businessman. you can be a home makes. do whatever you think, but try to achieve something in it. please be an achiever. otherwise life becomes boring and monotonous.
Courtesy: ABP Translated By : Shrayan Sen
Edited By: Arun Raghavan
