IPL has changed the definition of cricket: Dia Mirza
June 4th, 2010 - 8:39 pm ICT by IANS
By Shilpa Raina
Colombo, June 4 (IANS) Actress Dia Mirza says Indian Premier League (IPL) has changed the whole definition of cricket by mixing glamour and fun.
“Before IPL, cricket wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but today everyone is talking about the IPL,” said Dia while speaking at the FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum here Friday.
Speaking on the topic “India, Sri Lanka and the Future of ‘Cricketainment’ “, the actress added: “Today, IPL is equal to ‘cricketainment’, which means that is is a mix of glamour and fun. IPL has changed the whole meaning of cricket by making it more fun.”
“IPL has been able to mix sports and entertainment in such a way that it is no more a male domain and every member of a family is taking keen interest in the game.”
Dia also added that sport, arts and entertainment are three such mediums that connect people from diverse backgrounds, strengthen relationships and build bonds.
“In Bollywood, you have examples of movies like ‘Chak De! India’ and ‘Lagaan’ that were sports oriented and they were huge success - theatres were jam-packed. It clearly shows that sports is an integral part of cinema.”
This year the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards ceremony is being hosted by Sri Lankan capital, but back home the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC) was not happy and said it would boycott all Bollywood stars who attend the event in Colombo.
The SIFCC wanted the venue to be shifted out of Sri Lanka following allegations of a genocide against Sri Lankan Tamils during the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and continuing discrimination against them.
But despite opposition, a bevy of Bollywood stars - among them Salman Khan, Lara Dutta, Bipasha Basu and Anupam Kher - have come to attend the function.
“IIFA is doing a great job by organising such initiatives that are helping two different nations to built the bridges,” said Dia.
- 'IIFA good for India-Sri Lanka relations' (Lead) - May 30, 2010
- 'IIFA good for India-Sri Lanka relations' - May 30, 2010
- Sans big stars, IIFA awards end with fanfare (Review) - Jun 06, 2010
- IIFA will boost Sri Lankan tourism: Mahinda Rajapaksa - Jun 04, 2010
- Asin, Salman Ready For 'Ready'! - Jun 16, 2010
- Bollywood Star Salman Khan Faces The Wrath Of SIFCC - Jun 21, 2010
- IIFA to be held in Colombo, no change in venue - May 29, 2010
- Bollywood stars stand by decision to be in Colombo - Jun 04, 2010
- Film stars, celebrities arrive for 11th IIFA Awards in Colombo - Jun 03, 2010
- Sri Lanka orders its IPL cricketers to return home - Apr 13, 2011
- Dia Mirza missing Big B at IIFA (IIFA Diary) - Jun 04, 2010
- With stars, dance, music - IIFA spreads Indian fever in Toronto (Review) - Jun 27, 2011
- Bachchan evacuated from London hotel following suspected explosion - Jan 18, 2011
- When Toronto was Bolly-wooed and bowled over - Jun 27, 2011
- Tamils protest outside Bachchan's residence over his proposed Sri Lanka visit - May 11, 2010
Tags: anupam kher, bevy, bipasha basu, bollywood stars, cup of tea, dia mirza, film academy, film chamber, global business forum, keen interest, lagaan, lara dutta, liberation tigers of tamil eelam, liberation tigers of tamil eelam ltte, male domain, raina, salman khan, south indian film, sri lankan capital, sri lankan tamils