Sameera Reddy’s Tezz opens on April 27, right in the middle of season five of the Indian Premier League (IPL). And even though she was a bit apprehensive about the clash with ‘cricketainment’ initially, she isn’t as worried now: “Ratan Jain (producer, Venus) is a veteran. If he’s confident, so am I.”
Over the last few seasons of the tournament, the actor has regularly been spotted cheering on various IPL teams from the stands. Who’s she rooting for this year? “Since I’m already the brand ambassador for Chennai Rhinos of the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), I haven’t signed up with any other leagues. But given that Chennai won both CCL and IPL last season, it’s inevitable that I’d veer towards Dhoni’s Super Kings,” she smiles.
However, she’s quick to add that given her family connection with uncle and tycoon Vijay Mallya, all that’s needed is a call and she’ll be there cheering for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Since actor Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra are also dear friends, Rajathan Royals gets her support too.
Then, there’s Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Sameera is indebted to its co-franchise owner, Shah Rukh Khan, for believing in her at a time when even her parents didn’t. “I was in college, plump, bespectacled, unglamorous and helping out with a PR firm when I met him at an event,” she reminisces, adding that he remembered her from the music video of Pankaj Udhas’s ‘Aur aahista…’.
Then, there’s Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Sameera is indebted to its co-franchise owner, Shah Rukh Khan, for believing in her at a time when even her parents didn’t. “I was in college, plump, bespectacled, unglamorous and helping out with a PR firm when I met him at an event,” she reminisces, adding that he remembered her from the music video of Pankaj Udhas’s ‘Aur aahista…’.
When she confessed her starry dreams to him, he had told her to believe in herself. Even today, when they meet, they still talk about that tip he gave her.
“If SRK were to ask, I’d be there for KKR in a flash. But otherwise, it would depend on my schedule,” she says, adding, “Cricket is a great stress-buster, but if anyone sees me at a match, they should know that I’m there for my family, friends and colleagues, not just to be seen.”