The most anticipated Sunday of the year is here. It’s the World Cup final, and we can’t wait for the clock to strike two. And not just Team My Kolkata, but well-known names from sports, the performing arts and the food community, too, have only the match on the day’s agenda. From cricketer Ritwick Roy Chowdhury to actors Anirban Charkabarti, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Devlina Kumar and Rwitobroto Mukherjee, musician Anindya Chatterjee, fashion designer Abhisek Roy and food connoisseurs Indrajit Lahiri and Rukshana Kapadia and Suneha Saha — November 19 is all about cheering for Team India and hoping for a cracker of a cricket match. Here’s what these popular names had to say about their World Cup final plans. Read on…
Ritwik Roy Chowdhury
Ritwik Roy Chowdhury, who has been a mainstay for the Bengal men’s cricket team, will be cheering for Team India with his family at his home in Kolkata.
“We’re going to watch the match on a big projector screen. India are playing special cricket. I wish them all the best and hope that they carry on with what they’ve been doing in the final too,” said Ritwik, who was also watching with his family when India became T20 world champions in 2007.
Anirban Chakrabarti
While Eken Babu fans wait for the popular sleuth’s next adventure to hit OTT platforms this December, the actor will be watching the second half of the match at a friend’s place. “Phataphati khela hok, daroon match hok,” wished the actor, praying and sending best wishes to Team India.
Parambrata Chattopadhyay
Actor-director-producer Parambrata Chattopadhyay, whose recent directorial venture Parnashavarir Shaap has been receiving rave reviews, wasn’t yet sure where he would watch the game. But he was sure he would cheer the team on. He said, “When India won the first World Cup in 1983, I was only three years old. But I vividly remember the 2011 win. Now we get to watch so much of cricket all through the year that I feel that the charm of the game has slightly gone down.” But, to compensate for that loss of charm, the Indian team has given a superlative performance all throughout the tournament. “It is impossible to stand in front of them right now. I am hoping that India continues with the form and brings enormous joy to the country once again,” he added.
Anindya Chatterjee
A man of many talents, Chandrabindoo frontman Anindya Chatterjee has a gig in the evening, but he is planning to watch the first half with his son. “I feel it’s a role reversal for Team India. The game that was played between Australia and India in 2003 is not the same now. Cricket has changed a lot. The time has come to pay back Australia. This time it's definitely a role reversal with India on the winning side” opined Anindya. He further said, “If India wins the match it’s going to be an indisputable truth that this team has been and will be the best one in the coming four and five years.”
Abhisek Roy
Fashion designer and owner of the fashion label Bohurupi Santiniketan, Abhisek Roy will be at home, watching the match with his friends. “I can’t support any other team than India.” And his message for the team is: “Play your best, and bring the cup home!”
Indrajit Lahiri
Indrajit Lahiri, aka Foodka, is all set to host a pizza party and watch the match with his son and his friends, whom he affectionately calls the bachcha gang.
Indrajit, who is a big fan of Mohammed Shami and Virat Kohli, thinks the team is playing as one single unit and are all complementing each other. “Rohit Sharma is doing a fab job as captain”, he said. To the Men in Blue, his short and sweet note was: “Let’s rock, keep inspiring us”.
Rukshana Kapadia and Suneha Saha
Rukshana Kapadia and Suneha Saha, food connoisseurs and founders of Ammolite Ideators, have their matchday mood sorted. “We have stocked up on our favourite foods and some rum, and we will watch it at home with our kitties Coco and Cookie,” said Suneha.
Ruksana and Suneha are fans of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami respectively. “Bleed Blue, Team India, because we are all rooting for our dream 11”, they said.
Devlina Kumar
Actress Devlina Kumar will be watching the first half of the game with husband Gourab Chatterjee and the second half with her father Debasish Kumar.
“Team India has been playing very well in this World Cup. Let this form of the team continue in this match too. I’m waiting for a spectacular game and praying for Team India’s win” said Devlina.
Rwitobroto Mukherjee
Actor Rwitobroto Mukherjee will be at home with his parents. All eyes on India’s big victory, the young gun is hoping for a rerun of 2011. He is in solidarity with the millions of eyes glued to the field, brimming with hope. “It will be a great match. The team is in its best form, and the leadership is extremely strategic, tactical and good. Looking forward to watching some good cricket”, he said.
