The sixth season of the Indian Premiere League (IPL) kicked off on Tuesday, 2 April, with a star-studded opening ceremony at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who won last season's IPL, was the host of the opening ceremony this time. Shah Rukh Khan's production company, Red Chillies Entertainment, organized a spree of power-packed performances from Bollywood stars.
The opening ceremony began with Shah Rukh Khan reciting legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore's unforgettable and immortal poem, "Where the mind is without fear". West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee then took to the stage to light the ceremonial lamp.
As Shah Rukh's voice faded away, a woman holding the IPL cup entered the stadium in a huge balloon. She handed over the cup to KKR captain Gautam Gambhir, who kept the trophy on the dais.
The first dance performance began with Deepika Padukone, who was looking stunning in a sheer off-shoulder top and tights. She performed to Punjabi song "Angrezi Beat De" and then to "Tum Hi Ho Bandhu" from the film "Cocktail".
After Deepika's performance, actress Katrina Kaif made a royal entry into the stadium dressed in a long golden robe. She performed to one of the biggest hits "Sheila Ki Jawaani". Shah Rukh then took centre stage dancing to a track from "Don". He thanked Mamata, BCCI president N Srinivasan and IPL chief Rajiv Shukla for gracing the event with their presence.
Popular singers Bappi Lahiri and Usha Uthup joined Shah Rukh on stage and entertained the spectators by crooning to some of their all-time hit songs from the 70s and 80s.
After a string a Bollywood performances, Cuban-American artiste Pitbull set the stage on fire with his hit singles "You Put It Down Like New York City" and "Give Me Everything Tonight". Before the starting of the event an excited Pitbull tweeted, "finally my performance in india at #PepsiIPL opening ceremony...daleeeeee!"
For schedule details of the IPL6, click HERE.
Check out the photos and videos of the opening ceremony of the 2013 Indian Premier League:
Rapper Pitbull performing at the opening ceremony
IPL Opening Ceremony
