Kolkata, March 27 (IANS) Actor Mithun Chakroborty Thursday promised to take his Indian Cricket League (ICL) team, Royal Bengal Tigers, to various districts of West Bengal for charity matches and convert the side into a “winning machine”. Speaking at a grand re-launch of Kolkata Tigers as Royal Bengal Tigers, which the Bollywood megastar of the 1980s has bought for a fortune, he said: “I have several plans with the side. But that would be seen in June.

“I am happy to be here with the team. My passion for sports led me into this venture. Though I also think of it as a fine business proposition,” said the actor who is the reigning superstar of the Bengali film industry now.

Asked to elaborate some of his plans, he said, “I will play a few charity matches with my side in the districts. Why should any cricket lover and my fans in any part of the state be denied the chance of watching their ‘Mithunda’s’ side?”

Asked how he planned to shape the team, he said: “I want to shape them up into a winning machine. I will want them to win all their matches. I will finalise everything soon.

“I have been a fighter all through my life and I will have to fight here also. I am aware of that. But I am not afraid of battles,” he added.

Asked which was a bigger battle, Bollywood or cricket, he snapped back, “Bollywood was known to me. This is a new venture. So this is the bigger battle.”

On which gives him more tension, the Royal Bengal Tigers’ success or his son Mimoh (Mahakshay)’s debut flick with Jimmy, he said: “Cricket is all settled. I have no more tension regarding that. And as far as Mimoh is concerned, he will have to fight his own battle.”

Speaking on the occasion, West Bengal Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty said, “I congratulate Mithun for the bold step. We have some 30 stadiums in the state from Siliguri to Contai. We will convert any one ICL wants into a cricket ground and make it their permanent practice venue. They are welcome in the state.”

• Subhas Chakraborty