IPL 2017 begins, Bollywood is not threatened by the T20 tournament

India is famous for Bollywood, Food and Cricket. And if you’re from one of the several cricketing nations, you might in all probability share these passions as well. If you love Cricket, and Indian cuisine, then this is definitely a great time to be in India.

In India, IPL is celebrated like a festival that unites India once a year and brings families, friends and colleagues together to enjoy the spirit of cricketainment.

Indian Premier League (IPL) started almost a decade back, and in the few seasons when its popularity was at its peak, it did eat into the Bollywood business. Producers used to avoid releasing their movies during important matches.

However, with public interest waning (thanks to the several controversies), Bollywood no longer feels threatened by IPL.

Several filmmakers now feel that both cricket and films can coexist. There are aware that IPL could possibly affect the film business, but only during crucial matches. Besides, the IPL matches are only held in the evening, so it could potentially affect only a couple of film shows, but not more.

“I don’t think films releasing during IPL is a concern anymore. There may be a marginal effect during the peaking of the season, like from the quarterfinals stage onwards, but that’s okay. I feel that if a film is good, then it doesn’t matter if it’s releasing during IPL or not. People always look for entertainment, and the more the choices, the better it is,” says Sabbir Khan, director of Baaghi and Heropanti.

But then, a few skeptics do exist.

A trade analyst says that IPL may not be concern to the film business anymore, and the passion for IPL may have dimmed over the past few years. However, any form of free entertainment is a direct threat to films. And like most years, even this year no big-budget films are scheduled to release during the tournament.

While it could be a coincidence (no big films being released at this time), the fact is that filmmakers now breathe easy when IPL is around.

Steve Smith asks fans to support his Pune team. Checkout this video to see Smith say, “aaplya team la support kara”, in Marathi.

Despite Controversies, IPL is a Money-Spinner

The tournament is also a great money-spinner (despite controversies); the 2016 IPL season generated about Rs 2,500 crore (in overall revenue). The amount includes revenues from advertisements, team sponsorship, on-ground sponsorship, ticket sales and merchandising (TV advertisements formed the major chunk).

As per a report on Economic Times, Sony Pictures (Official broadcaster) made around Rs 1,100 crore, the eight IPL franchisees together earned Rs 200-230 crore from sponsors, The Board of Control for cricket in India (BCCI) made Rs 220-250 crore from on-ground sponsorships, whereas Hotstar, the digital rights holder, got around Rs 40 crore, according to media buyers.

Opportunity for foreign Players to explore Incredible India
For most foreign players, the IPL provides not only an opportunity to play some exciting cricket (and also to earn some good moolah), it also lets them (and their families) explore India.

“From Kolkatta to Mumbai and Delhi to Chennai, tasting street food, visiting temples, scouting for spices and saris, international cricketers and their families are increasingly using the IPL to discover the real India”.

And with matches played even in the smaller cities, they do get to see the far-off places as well in India, something that even most Indians haven’t seen yet.

Those who have been in India longer never tire of their everyday discoveries, the new entrants do start with apprehensions but do manage to feel at home before long.

Best fielder of all time, ‘Jonty Rhodes’ names daughter ‘India’
Former South Africa cricketer (the best fielder that the game of cricket has ever seen) and current Mumbai Indians fielding coach Jonty Rhodes loves India so much that Jonty and wife Melanie have named their new born baby girl ‘India’.

Jonty Rhodes has spent a lot of time in India and feels that this is his second home. He loves India because its very spiritual, with a rich mix of culture and heritage, and at the same time its also a very forward-thinking country. These are also the reasons because of which he chose to name his daughter ‘India’.

AB De Villiers proposes to girl-friend in front of the Taj Mahal
The most destructive batsman in the world today ‘AB De Villiers’ showed his romantic side in 2011 when, in front of the Taj Mahal, he got down on his knees to propose to his then girlfriend.

More on IPL

Indian Premier League 2015 will have the following teams – Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad. As usual, the matches will be distributed throughout the entire length and breadth of the country.

Some of the most prestigious venues, including the Eden Gardens, Green Park, Sardar DY Patil Stadium, Wankhede, PCA Stadium, etc. will witness some of the toughest encounters between the various teams.

“All you need to do is relax, enjoy and experience the Incredible India.”

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IPL 2015: Boring Opening Night
Though India did well at the ICC world cup by reach the semi-finals, fans of cricket still remember the controversies (match-fixing) that had plagued the earlier seasons of IPL. That is why, probably, the organizers didn’t get any big star for the opening ceremony of the upcoming IPL cricket tournament. Even the budget for the opening ceremony was a mere 8 crore rupees, far less than the average 20-22 crores that used to be spent every year till now. But this time, BCCI didn’t splurge on the opening night.

A few Bollywood celebs performed (Hrithik was there) but no top Khan or any foreign star performed on the opening night. Anushka Sharma, who’s used to watching the cricketers, including Virat Kohli, from the stands performed and this time the spectators were the cricketers.

What was even more surprising was that King Khan, who has been a regular performer at all the previous IPL opening nights, wasn’t available this time, despite the event happening at his second home – Kolkatta (he owns the Kolkatta Knight riders IPL team). And that’s because he was busy shooting for his upcoming film.