Hrithik to skip Mumbai Indians match

Shooting schedules and the fact that he hates watching cricket contribute to no-show

The buzz in the Mumbai fields is that Hrithik Roshan will be supporting friends Nita and Mukesh Ambani at their IPL match on Sunday. But the actor, who performed in Ambani’s Mumbai Indians’ music video, isn’t the team’s brand ambassador and won’t be attending today’s match because of a tight shooting schedule and the fact that he hates watching cricket.

“Hrithik is very close to Nita and Mukesh and he wanted to be their ambassador,” says a source. “However, things didn’t work out. But Hrithik wanted to be a part of the Ambanis’ endeavour in some capacity. So he did their music video.” In the video, Hrithik exhorts, ‘Duniya hila denge hum!’
But for the match on Sunday, Hrithik’s shooting schedules have put paid to that. Hrithik intended attending it as a friend, but work comes first.
“On Saturday, he was shooting the whole day for Zoya Akhtar’s Luck By Chance. It was the first day’s shooting and in the night, he went to attend Mukesh Ambani’s birthday party. He wanted to be there for a while on Sunday, though Hrithik hates watching cricket,” said his friend.

Yes, the man can’t bear to sit and watch the game, though he likes to play it. The last time he did was for the opening shot of Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. That apart, no time for cricket in Hrithik’s busy schedule, though for a recent ad he attempted every outdoor sport conceivable.

Says Hrithik, “The opening game of the IPL has proved that the real winner is the game of cricket. I hope Mumbaikars will support the sport. Let the best team win. Unfortunately, I’ll be shooting. But my best wishes and support for our team.”

Subash K. Jha