Amitabh Bachchan kicked off the second season of the Pro Kabaddi League event on Saturday with a stirring rendition of Jana Gana Mana, the Indian National anthem.
Held at Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium in Mumbai, the ceremony was attended by Bollywood’s A-listers, including Aamir Khan, husband-and-wife actor duo Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza, and Abhishek and his wife Aishwarya.
The first professional kabaddi league in India, Pro Kabaddi is based on the Indian Premier League T20 cricket tournament. The first edition of Pro Kabaddi was held in 2014, with eight franchises representing various Indian cities, including the Jaipur Pink Panthers, owned by Bachchan’s son Abhishek.
The 72-year-old actor took to Facebook to share his excitement.
“First day of ProKabaddi ... And I sing the National Anthem ... first time ever! Honoured and a privilege ...” Amitabh posted on took to social networking website Facebook. He also tweeted a video link of the performance.
“T 1925 -http://www.hotstar.com/#!/big-b-sings-national-anthem-to-open-pkl-season-2-2001433847-p … singing the National Anthem at ProKabaddi. Honour and pride for me!!”.”
Clad in a simple white kurta and pyjama, Bachchan also sported a black achkan (vest) to which were pinned his three Padmashri medals, which he referred to in one of the photographs he posted online: “The first time ever I wear my Padma medals. All 3. and then switch to cheering Jaipur.”
The veteran actor was awarded the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, some of India’s highest honours, for his contribution to the Hindi film industry.
Defending champions Jaipur Pink Panthers lost the first game of the season, held on Saturday night, to last year’s runners-up U Mumba.
