Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is all set to support the Indian team in the Men's Hockey World Cup opening ceremony at the Kalinga Stadium in Odisha.
Responding to a video shared by Indian skipper Manpreet Singh, urging the actor to cheer the Indian team at the opening ceremony, Shah Rukh took to Twitter to confirm his attendance at the ceremony.
Neki aur pooch pooch? Mujhe bolne ki der hai mere bhai, main koodh kar pahunch jaoonga! I wish u and our team the best. Hockey is the pride of India. We will cheer Chak De India! Thank u for thinking of me. Mera Dil Hockey ke liye bahut tez dhadakta hai!!! #HeartBeatsForHockey https://t.co/2F8XA07Khq
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 9, 2018
"Why ask for a good thing. Tell me and I will spring to the event. Hockey is the pride of India, we will cheer Chak De India! Thank you for thinking of me. My heart beats for Hockey," he said.
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik thanked Shah Rukh, on his official Twitter handle, for his support towards the Hockey side and invited the actor to the inauguration.
Delighted to share that @iamsrk 's #HeartBeatsForHockey and he has come forward to support Indian hockey & #HockeyWorldCup2018 in #Bhubaneswar. Kalinga Stadium & #Odisha look forward to welcoming you, Mr. Khan at the #OdishaHWCOpeningCeremony on 27th November 2018 #AbBasHockey https://t.co/rWNZvT1KmQ
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 9, 2018
In response, Shah Rukh thanked the chief minister and said he was looking forward to attending the showpiece on November 27.
Thank u sir.The pleasure is all mine & look forward to being in Odisha & millions of heart beating for Indian Hockey https://t.co/O3vGAFmC5y
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 9, 2018
Patnaik then appreciated Shah Rukh's gesture and said that the actor's presence will boost the Hockey team and the fans.
Thank you Shah Rukh Khan ji. Appreciate your magnanimity and love for hockey. Your presence will surely enthuse Indian Hockey Team and millions of fans. #Odisha eagerly awaits you and look forward to seeing you cheer at #HockeyWorldCup2018 #OdishaWelcomesSRK https://t.co/rSSdWZ0rCO
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 9, 2018
Earlier, Indian Hockey players including captain Manpreet Singh had requested the Chak de India star, on Twitter, to extend his support for the Hockey tournament.
@iamsrk Sir aap to hockey khel chuke ho. Main aur poori Indian team to ye jaanti hi hai that your #HeartBeatsForHockey. Kya aap #HWC2018 ka hissa banoge? Kya aap hamein support karne maidan mein uttroge? Pls duniya ko bhi ye bata do ki aapka dil ab bhi hockey ke liye dhadakta hai pic.twitter.com/dj306ZbMnB
— Manpreet Singh (@manpreetpawar07) October 9, 2018
The 14th edition of the Men's Hockey World Cup is set to kick-off on November 27. India will meet South Africa in the opener on November 28.