Video : Sourav Ganguly Talks about his Memories of Sachin & Meeting him in the Dressing Room Post Farewell Test

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly talks about his memories of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket after the second Test against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

        

Read More

INTERVIEW : Dada Opens up on Dadagiri, EPL, SRK vs Aamir & Much More

His comeback on the sets of Zee Bangla’s Dadagiri Unlimited has brought a lot of Sourav Ganguly fans back to television. This time when t2 met him on the sidelines of a special episode featuring singers like Usha Uthup and Babul Supriyo, to be aired in October, Dada looked even more relaxed. A t2 chat… 

You have not done Dadagiri in the last couple of years (Mithun Chakraborty hosted the previous season in 2011) but you have got busier…

I do a whole lot of things, you know. I do this (Dadagiri), I do cricket, I do news (cricket expert on TV channels), I have my own work also. It’s good to be busy. I have come to CAB (coaching committee chairman). That is something I’ll do very religiously because that’s the best thing in my life, cricket. Hopefully, I can manage time. I’ll have to find ways to do it. I’ll have to stop doing certain things. I haven’t decided what. But cricket will be the first (priority) because that’s the most interesting thing in my life. We’ll see.

What would be your time-management tips for youngsters?

I think everybody has a profession. So, stick to it. Do what gives you happiness and is fun for you. That’s important.

The Lord’s balcony is new on the sets of Dadagiri. Was it your idea?

Yes, it’s new. No, no, it wasn’t my idea. I just do what I am told… questions, participants… nothing is my idea. I get to know about them when I arrive on the sets and just do the best I can.

Were you surprised to see this balcony though?

I wasn’t surprised. I liked it. It’s different and looks good.


And makes you nostalgic?

No, no, no… (smiles) not at all.

Like Kaun Banega Crorepati and Amitabh Bachchan, Dadagiri is a show that banks a lot on your popularity...

These shows are like that. It depends on the personality, but also depends on how you go about the show. It has to be made likeable to people. The best thing about this or KBC is that you can watch it with the whole family, right from the seniormost to the juniormost.

Is that a lot of pressure on you?

No, no pressure! If they don’t watch me here, they can watch me on the cricket field. I have got another option. (Laughs) Pressure days of my life are over.

Do you watch Amitabh Bachchan host KBC?

Of course I watch! He is fabulous.

What have you picked up from the way he anchors?

I think he is just normal. He doesn’t act too much, although he is an actor, although he does certain things, which he has done all throughout his life. And it’s his voice. I think it’s his voice which makes the show special. I am a big fan of his. He is a lovely person.

Who is your all-time favourite TV show host?

Mr Bachchan. Just the way he goes about his job. His presence on TV. His voice, his personality. He is made for that show.

What is it that you watch on TV?

Cricket. I watched the one-dayer yesterday (Saturday)… England beat Australia. I am looking forward to Australia coming to India. That would be nice.

Who are your favourite commentators?

Richie Benaud and Bill Lawry. They are just brilliant. Their voice is so brilliant. Before I played for India, 5.30 in the morning you wake up and you hear Richie and Bill, amazing!

What about EPL?

I’ll be in London on the 22nd (September 22) for the The Macquarie Legendary Test Captains Dinner ( Read Here : Honour for Dada )  . So, I am going to watch Manchester City vs Manchester United. I love it! You have to be in England at this time. We normally go in May-June when cricket’s on. You have to go at this time of the year because Premier League starts now. I have already booked two seats for the game.

Who is your EPL-watching partner?

I’ll see whoever wants to go because I’ll have to drive to the stadium. Dona doesn’t go. She is not interested. So, I’ll have to find someone!


Gareth Bale has just become the most expensive footballer (Real Madrid bought him from Tottenham Hotspur for £85.3m)…

That’s what English football is. Just throws up so much money. But then performance is never about money. I hope he does well as a player because that’s important.

Talking about football, you are going to Brazil for the World Cup next year...

I am going, but you know, I just got to know three days before — I have booked the tickets also, four tickets, they are so expensive — that India play the first Test in Nottingham on July 9. So, I don’t know. I’ll request STAR to let me go, at least for the finals on the 13th. I’ll be able to give it (the ticket) away because everybody would want to go, but I’d actually like to go. I had got tickets for the semi-final (Sao Paulo) and the final (Rio). Four of us are going… me, my brother, one of my cousin brothers and another guy who works with me. Last time I could not go because my sister was getting married.

The team you are looking forward to watch would be...

Brazil.

So, you’ll root for Brazil this time?

This time, after a long time. From what I saw in the Confederations Cup when they went past Spain in the final… if Neymar’s fit, they have a chance.

Players you are looking forward to watch…

Neymar. He is terrific. I have been spoilt by Diego Maradona. Obviously, (Lionel) Messi is there as well, but I have been spoilt by Maradona’s skills. So, everybody looks inferior.

Switching from football to tennis, what is your message for Leander Paes, who has just won the US Open doubles at 40?

My message for him would be he should keep playing till he wants to. I hope he enjoys his win because these don’t come everyday and once he enjoys it, he starts getting better.

Finally, did you see women of all ages swooning over you as you climbed up the stage!

(Laughs) I am past that! I just hope Sana (daughter) follows me. That’s important.

LAST FILM WATCHED: Chennai Express. I watch all Shah Rukh (Khan) films. All I’ll say is that Shah Rukh has done much better films. Chak De! India was good. Jab Tak Hai Jaan was good. I also watch all Aamir (Khan) films.

AAMIR KHAN VS SHAH RUKH KHAN: I don’t want to get into that and I don’t think it is the right way to go. Both are different. Shah Rukh’s a showman. On stage, nobody can beat Shah Rukh Khan.

Courtesy : T2

Read More

An INTERVIEW with Sourav Ganguly from the Sets of Dadagiri 4

Sourav Ganguly Exclusive INTERVIEW to E-Samay from the Sets of Dadagiri

The shooting of Dadagiri is currently going on in Kolkata. Shooting starts sharply at 10 am. Sourav Ganguly reaches there very early. The Lunch Break is at 1 pm. The Lunch break is just for 30 mins. Dada manages to sign the autographs in the course of 30 mins. While in his make-up room for lunch, he gives an Interview to Bhashwati Ghosh. Excerpts here.

Overnight rain in city. Sourav reached the studio dodging the waterlogged areas. Cup of tea in his hand. Tea leaves and Milk comes from his home.Maharaj returns to the floor after a break.

"When I first started shooting for this show way back in 2009, I was nervous, and tensed thinking how am i going to complete 64 episodes, but now I am used-to it. No question of comeback, as I was never asked to leave. I enjoyed the show" says Dada. 

How was it When you were asked to leave the cricket field? 

For me that was a reality check. After winning all the accolades in captaining the team for 5 yrs, if  you get dropped out, I call that also a reality check. If you are confident of your own game then there is no difficulty in making a comeback. When I was going through a bad-patch, i knew  i will overcome this and score Tons once again.

Contestants come to the show to show some Dadagiri, but on reaching the shooting floor, it is realised that only one person is doing it. This is a calm Dadagiri. Director Shubhankar Chatterjee says, "Yes this is a peaceful and a calm Dadagiri. Dadagiri set is like a cricket field (lord's) and its very much liked by Sourav too." Why? Is it beacuse of the bare chested show of Sourav at lord's that makes him nostalgic about this place? One contestant says, "Bengali's will remember this scene forever".

Are you watching the episodes, on returning home ?

 Yes, but not all the episodes.

And when you didnt host Dadagiri? 

Occassionally i used to watch. I like Mithunda. He is a legend. I took  leave for one year and now i am back.

How tough is the fight in Dadagiri? Is there any room for sympathy, when you are on the play?

Off course we should play to win. we are all playing on the field, just to win. why should one show sympathy?. Though i didn't feel the same in dadagiri. This show is for different people from the society, to express themselves.

Will a celebrity like Sourav Ganguly ignore media, in order to make his personal career?

Not at all, i dont ignore media. why should media be ignored. It just creates a space for your own performance.

Dada has reduced almost 8-10 kgs in the past few months. Sourav says, "Yes, i'm jogging otherwise i would have exceeded the frame of the camera. Throughout my cricketing career, i used to be thin and fit. so I Will not look good if I suddenly become fat.  Staying fit makes me feel good, irrespective of whatever i do".

Biriyani is his favourite, but not for a single day, has biriyani arrived at the sets for his lunch. Sourav says, "i'm maintaining a diet".

Songs of Lootera and Ashiqui 2 being played during the break. Director
shubhankar says, "Songs, are played  many a times so that we can keep up the energy level, everybody loves songs. 'sawar loo' from lootera is Dada's favourite"

Though Sourav feels tired sometimes, he says, "I enjoy while on sets, but its too tiring when on roads. (total of 4 hrs road journey from behala to shooting floor and back)

Does father Sourav take questions of googly round for his daughter ?

Yes,Sana asks for it.

Do you care about TRPs ?

People come here to enjoy.I feel satisfied if they return home happily

Will you ever call Shahrukh to your show ?

Definitely. if he wants, i will definitely call. Boman Irani will come soon.

Sourav is more awesome as an anchor this season, director says "Dada's sense of humour has reached New heights this season, may be the
commentary stints helped him."

Formula of Continuing 'Dadagiri' in real life ?

Give your best in whatever you do.

Courtesy: E-Samay
Translated By: Shrayan Sen
Edited By: Arun Raghavan

Read More

INTERVIEW : Sourav Ganguly on Dadagiri 4, Rituparno Ghosh, Chennai Express & Much More

Sourav Ganguly's INTERVIEW in Today's TOI

Ads, promos, show, he has been shooting relentlessly for the past seven days. But Sourav Ganguly is far from tired. After a season’s gap, he is back with Dadagiri, a show which was coined after his famous petname and celebrated the former India skipper as a TV host. In between work on Saturday, he settles for an adda at his Behala residence. Life has changed a great deal since he started out as a host in 2009, he tells us, setting the ball rolling for this conversation. Excerpts: 

After hosting Dadagiri for the first two seasons, you are again back for the show’s fourth edition. How does it feel? 

It’s good fun. The only problem is that the shooting spot is too far from my place. That apart, I quite like it. It’s very different from what I have done all my life. So, I do a bit of this, I do cricket... it’s nice. I’m happy with the way people respond to my show. With time, I have started enjoying television. 

A lot was written when after the first two seasons of Dadagiri, you went on to host Ke Hobey Banglar Kotipoti. But that didn’t deter you from signing up for the current edition of the show... 

My contract was like that. It’s was a twoyear deal with a oneyear break. During that break I worked for someone else. Once this season came along, I took it up again. I’ll be doing the next season and the season after that. I didn’t know that a show like Ke Hobey Banglar Kotipoti would come my way. When I signed up for Dadagiri, that channel had not even been formed. Siddhartha Basu said, ‘Let’s do this’ and my answer was yes. 

Did you watch Dadagiri when Mithun Chakraborty hosted it for a season? 
Yes, I watched it a bit. Even when I was doing Dadagiri, I didn’t watch all the episodes. I would only catch the ones which I found very exciting, like a group of singers who performed very well, Yuvraj (Singh) coming down for one show and Shah Rukh for another.... otherwise it gets a little boring as I host it. It’s not like cricket that after playing, I could again sit back and watch it. After scoring a Test century, I would go home and watch. I couldn't do it for any show. Even when I do commentary, I don’t watch it. 

Is your daughter, Sana, very excited about you hosting a game show? 
Sana has got used to all this. She will watch a little bit. After that, it’s her own life. Also, she is too young. She never watched me playing except in the IPL. She would only watch IPL. When she was six or seven, she went to South Africa with me for Tests, but she never went to the ground. Back then, she was too small. 

You are the hero of some of our greatest Test cricket wins. Do you think India nurtures this form of cricket anymore? 
India does nurture Test cricket and it has to be done. It’s the best form of cricket. To be recognized as a powerful cricket nation, you need to have a good Test team. This team is going through a transition. Over the past year, it has done well in ODIs but not in Tests. So, there’s a big opportunity in the coming 15-16 Test matches to do well. 

You were very angry when IPL got embroiled in a messy spot-fixing controversy and also called Sreesanth’s act ‘stupid’... 
For me, Sreesanth is an absolute waste of talent. When you are gifted with so much talent and you don’t use it, it’s pointless. What will you do for 40 lakh? It’s just one Test series for him. If you get 20 wickets in three Test matches, you get double the money. If he does well in one season of IPL, he gets 10 times the money. I don’t know whether he has done it or not. I don’t have any proof, but whatever I have heard on TV, if he has done it, it’s absolute stupidity. 

Is Indian cricket losing its sheen? 
I don’t think so. There’s a problem everywhere. There’s one bad fish in every pond, a couple of bad fish in every river. That doesn’t make the pond or the river bad. You have these issues, but India has produced cricketers like Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Dhoni, Sehwag, whom people can’t touch. I don’t think one can judge cricket based on a few people. 

Coming back to television, there were rumours that you are part of the remake of Telugu film Golkonda High School. Now it’s Nach Baliye... 
Nach Baliye was a big joke. Nobody even spoke to me. Even if they had, I would have politely said that I’m not good enough to do it. And I know a couple of  years back there were rumours of me doing Golkonda High School. I have to deal with it. I hear so many things about me that I often fall off the chair. 

But there’s a huge demand to see you  in films. 
 
They know by now that I’ll not do films.Television is what I enjoy. There’s cricket, reality shows, but I’m just not good enough to do films. The only person who once told me that I must act in his film was Rituparno Ghosh. I said, ‘No sir’. He called me up to say, ‘I want to do a film and you be my hero’. I was like, ‘Are you mad?’ I asked him to cook a good meal and call me for dinner, that would have been far more enjoyable. I knew him very well. I was in England when he passed away. It was very sad. He was a good man, who led his own life. 

During the show’s first edition, you were still the family’s little boy. Your father (Chandidas Ganguly) is not there now and you are the man of the house... 

Oh yes, there’s a big difference between then and now. I didn’t have to look after three-fourth of the stuff I do now. But then, it’s the same with everyone.
 
You even drop Sana to school... 

Yes, that’s to spend time with her. But then, she doesn’t want me to do that. She wants to be on her own. She doesn’t even want me to drop her to a friend’s birthday party. She is growing up. 


Is there a googly from Sana you couldn’t answer? 

Nothing. She doesn’t ask me too many questions. But she likes the googlies. After every episode, I carry home the script. When I’m back, I have to ask her the googly questions. Bringing the script back is important, otherwise I am sure to forget. But then, Sana has her own world. She refused to come with me to England. She said, I want to be home. She loves home. 


How difficult is an idle day to come by? 

It comes. I make sure it does. I can’t work without a break. For the past seven days, I have only been shooting. That’s the most I have shot in my life — ads, promos, Dadagiri. When I’m home, I wake up late, read newspapers, have breakfast and have a chat with Dona or mom. After that, I watch TV with Sana. But when you are with Sana, you don’t get to see anything apart from what she wants to watch. I find some of her cartoons to be noise pollution. So, I go through my ipad, breeze around, go for a walk, watch films. 


Bhaag Milkha Bhaag has been a huge success and Priyanka Chopra is set to play Mary Kom. Which cricketer will be best-suited for a biopic? 
Sachin Tendulkar, maybe. And I loved Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. I also watched Chennai Express. 


How did you like Chennai Express? 
It’s not Shah Rukh’s best film, but it was entertaining. 


SRK had come for the finale of Dadagiri Season One. Can we see you on the same platform again? 
Yes, if he wants to come. He keeps busy. He came just on my request, like Aamir did. It feels uncomfortable to ask Shah Rukh again. If he wants to come, he’s more than welcome. He is such a big name... 


Did you wish Wasim Akram on starting a new innings in life? 
When I meet him, I will. I have seen them together. I have known her (Shaniera Thompson) before and I knew this was coming. I hope they have a great life. Wasim has gone through a lot. I was trying to organize things for him when he was flying from Pakistan to Singapore for Huma’s treatment and had to land in Chennai. I was in touch with him four-five times a day. It was tough for him. Often, he is away. He has work, there are children at home... it’s not easy.

Courtesy: TOI

Read More

When Koel Mallick Surprised Dada on His 41st Birthday to Interview Him

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

Read More

DADA Unplugged : Special Interview on the Eve of 41st Birthday + Tribute from Bengali Icons

KOLKATA: While there will be no celebrations at home this time round on account of the demise of his father, SouravGanguly's birthday is cause for celebration not only in Kolkata but all over Bengal and also within the Bengali diaspora in the world. As Bengal's best known transcultural icon turns 41, he speaks his heart out in this candid conversation with BoriaMajumdar. Excerpts.

INTERVIEW

Text Form of Interview Here : DADA UNPLUGGED

Tributes from Bengali Icons :

Courtesy : TOI

Read More

INTERVIEW : Sourav Ganguly on India Facing England in the Finals of ICC Champions Trophy 2013 & Much More

Sourav Ganguly in an Exclusive Interview Talks to Gautham Bhattacharya about Dhoni, Srilanka, Fletcher, Spot Fixing Saga, Doing Well in the Finals, Facing England & His Wish for Team India for the Finals.

CAPTAIN DHONI: He has been excellent throughout this tournament. We can say flawless. There has always been lot of criticisms about his captaincy Overseas But this time its not the case. He was criticised more in the test matches, so he still needs to prove that wrong.

DHONI TAKING THE BALL vs SL: Correct decision. Could have used Kohli as well. A 4th pacer was needed . Moments before dhoni came on to bowl, Nasser told me that dhoni can leave out his keeping gloves and take the ball which obviously happened. He was criticised at lords in 2011 when he bowled But not this time around.

SRILANKA : Their body language surprised me. They were almost shivering in the cold. Dilshan's injury was the turning point. He set up the match for SL initially.And you cannot win matches when you drop so many catches. Dropping Shikhar Dhawan is a crime

RAINA'S SLIP FIELDING: Great decision. There are lots of good fielders in the team now.

ODI WILL BE DOMINATED BY YOUTH?: Too early to comment on that. Let us see more matches.

PLAYING ODI SO WELL IN THE FOREIGN SOIL: We won the Natwest Series without losing a match, Same happened in Colombo in 2002. Rain didnt let us win the champions trophy that time.

RAVINDRA JADEJA: I am getting engrossed in his skill. He is spinning the balll well. Like i said earlier he is a better bowler than Yuvi. Today also saying, Yuvi is better batsmen, jadeja a better bowler.

COACH FLETCHER: His 1st major success. Well done. Has to make the team  well prepared for tougher matches in the next 1.5 yrs

COMEBACK BY TEAM INDIAN AFTER THE SPOT FIXING SCANDAL: The main thing in any tournament is  FORM. India didnt play warm up matches when they toured ENG and AUS last time. This time won both the matches they played. They are able to keep the winning momentum with them


ENGLAND IN THE FINAL: They have to play exceptionally well. Ball will turning more in Birmingham. If the conditions remain same they cant beat India. England needs to prepare a greener wicket to win the finals and if Anderson becomes dangerous its advantage England.


NECESSARY TO DO IN THE FINALS: Play normal cricket. Dont take that extra pressure. There are lots of new guys in the team who have not played a final earlier. And Dhoni is a relaxed man. He is yet to bat in the whole tournament but he is India's No.1 ODI batsman.

LASTLY ON HIS WAY OUT DADA Says, There is a phrase "All Well that Ends Well" Wish Dhoni Finishes the Tournament With a Win.

Courtesy : ABP
Translated by: Shrayan Sen
Edited by: Arun Raghavan

Read More

INTERVIEW : Sourav Ganguly's Take on India's Performance in CT 2013, Ind-Pak Battle,Dhoni & Much More

Sourav Ganguly's Exclusive INTERVIEW to Gautham Bhattacharya from UK.

Some excited Pak born taxi drivers in birmingham were saying Misbah should be thrown at the canal in this city. Your thoughts?

Hahaha... why ?

They were accusing why should a captain play such a slow innings in a shortened game?

Whenever he came to the crease, wickets were falling on the other side. how can he hit out!

Did u think, saturday's Ind-Pak match would be so much 1-sided esspecially when there were no such pressure on the Pak team?

I knew. Told in a TV show the previous night that they don't have a strong team. Even misbah wouldn't have got chance in the pak team which played 5 yrs ago.What's more shocking is the downfall of the quality of their batsmens.how can a team win with only 170 odd! see shoaib mallik's status, no fifties in last 2 yrs. They have to score runs, but sadly no quality in their batting.

If a one-day team is being made comprising of the players from both the team, which pak players would get a chance in that team?

No batsmen. In bowling dept i will pick junaid and saeed ajmal.

Mohammad Irfan?

No no, there is Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.

Kumar was in your PWI team. how are you looking at his rise?

He bowled well earlier also. Best Bowler in the current tournament. His pace has also increased.

What should kumar do now?

He has to perform like this constantly. Nothing can be achieved in just a one good performance. Did any body think in the last year that sehwag would not get a chance in playing 11? Did any body know that yuvi would be sacked out of the team just 2 yrs after getting the MOS award at the WC 2011?

Can yuvi make a comeback when this team is playing so well?

Yes he can. lots of cricket there in  near future. Tough cricket.

Team is playing so well despite the spot fixing saga, do you think you can find a similarity with your team of 2000, who also played like this in that Champions Trophy despite the fixing scandal?

Yes i find similarity but we had more seniors in our team myself, sachin, dravid, kumble, venkatesh.

That team had too had new guys like Yuvi, Zaheer performed exceedingly well.

That's right. This time too players like Jadeja and Dhawan are very impressive. 

What's the reason behind Dhawan's  blistering form in English conditions?

These are not perfect english conditions.The weather is cloudy, but the wickets are flat and are turning as well.Dhawan has the ability. he has shown it and has a dare devil attitude.Rohit and DK are also batting well.

Whom do you think India would be happy to face in the semis?

Who Team India face in the semi's doesnt matter. The form in which the team is in, no other team is near to it.

ODI'S are being played under new rules. New ball every 25 overs and adding to that seaming conditions. both factors should have gone against India. Inspite of that Team is playing wonderfully well. how?

Form. Form is only making the difference. These players were unable to play well in 2011  but now things have changed. There should be a judging period for a team. This team would get accolades when they play well in 2/3 tournaments.

Anything about Dhoni's captaincy ?

Too good. Excellent.

Is this the Best you've seen Dhoni captain in foreign soil ?

Of course. Most significant part is that dhoni himself is not getting a chance to bat yet team manages to win inspite of he being India's No.1 ODI Batsmen.Good Signs for India.

Courtesy : ABP
Translated By: Shrayan Sen
Edited By: Arun Raghavan

Read More