Bollywood stars to grace the National Games

The National Games Organising Committee has pulled off a casting coup that Bollywood can only dream of, reports Prabhash C Jha.

The National Games Organising Committee has pulled off a casting coup that Bollywood can only dream of.

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After naming Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif as ambassadors for the 34th National Games, the games panel has roped in Bollywood's leading lady Deepika Padukone and top item girl Mallika Sherawat for the opening ceremony in Ranchi on November 21.

Jharkhand will host the National Games, which will be sort of a selection trial for India's Commonwealth Games squads, from November 21 to December 5.

Even Shah Rukh Khan was approached, but he declined since he is too busy at the time, highly placed sources in the National Game Organising Committee said. Other actors like Viveik Oberoi and Neil Nitin Mukesh will also perform at the cultural show.

The star power doesn't come cheap though. “We would have to spend a few more crores,” a source said. The organising committee will pay Rs 8.25 crore to Cine Yug for ensuring a rocking opening to the Games.