Crickwood calling!

The thin line that might have existed between entertainment and serious cricket has been erased by IPL. As star cricketers from around the world join the teams and filmstars lend their support to the game, the websites of the teams look like those of movies and much effort is going into creating signature tunes and videos. The relationship between cricket and Bollywood is finally official. Here's a lowdown...

Bangalore Royal Challengers
Filmi connect:
While Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif star in the video, Sanjay Gupta is directing it.

Cricket stars:
Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan

Money Matters:
Vijay Mallya acquired the rights of the team for $111.6 million (Dhs 409.8 million).

Masala says:
9/10

Chennai Super Kings
Filmi connect:
South Indian actor Vijay and actress Nayantara are the brand ambassadors.

Cricket stars:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is also the highest paid cricketer, Muralitheran and Mathew Hayden

Money Matters:
India Cement acquired the rights to the team for $91million (Dhs334.1 million).

Masala says:
9/10

Kolkata Knight Riders
Filmi connect:
While Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla are the owners of the team, Rani Mukherji and Bipasha Basu are in the video, and the song is being composed by Vishal-Shekhar. The jerseys are being designed by Manish Malhotra.

Cricket stars:
Sourav Ganguly, Ricky Ponting and Shoaib Akhtar.

Money Matters:
SRK and Juhi have bought the rights of the team for $75.09 million (Dhs275.7million).

Rajasthan Royals
Filmi connect:
Ila Arun, who's just had a successful stint with Jodhaa Akbar, has been roped in to sing the the signature tune Halla Bol for the team. Nobody has been finalised for the video yet, but talks are on.

Cricket stars:
Shane Warne, Mohammed Kaif, Graeme Smith

Money Matters:
Son of Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan, has bought the rights of the team for $67 million (Dhs246 million).

Masala says:
7/10

Kings Xi Punjab
Filmi connect:
Preity Zinta and her beau Bombay Dyeing heir Ness Wadia, along with two other industrialists, are the owners of the team. Zinta, along with Sunny, Bobby and their dad Dharmendra, will star in the music video. Daler Mehendi is singing the song.

Cricket stars:
Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan and Brett Lee

Money Matters:
The team came for $76 million (Dhs279.1million).


Masala says:
10/10

Delhi Dare Devils
Filmi connect:
Akshay Kumar, who played cricket on the grounds near Red Fort as a young boy, is the ambassador of the team.

Cricket stars:
Virender Sewag, Gautam Gambhir and Shoaib Malik

Money Matters:
GMR group acquired the rights for $84 million (Dhs308.4 million).

Masala says:
9/10

Mumbai Indians
Filmi connect:
Surprisingly, this team has no Bolly star backing them up.

Cricket stars:
Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Robin Uthappa, Sanath Jayasuriya and Shaun Pollock.

Money Matters:
Reliance Industries got the team for $111.9 million (Dhs 410.9 million).

Masala! says:
8/10

Deccan Chargers
Filmi connect:
Although Sameera Reddy came to their launch function, cricketer VVS Laxman has said the cricketers will be entertainers.

Cricket stars:
VVS Laxman, Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds

Money Matters:
Deccan Chronicle acquired the team for $107.1 million (Dhs393.3 million).

Masala! thinks
It would be a good idea if Saif Ali Khan (with his Pataudi connection to cricket) becomes the ambassador of Mumbai Indians.