Face/Off/Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev tells Sujata Assomull that now that he is not playing cricket, life is fun -- he gets all the bouquets and none of the brickbat...

Kapil Dev tells Sujata Assomull that now that he is not playing cricket, life is fun 8212; he gets all the bouquets and none of the brickbats

Kapil Dev seems to be in an arrive-advertise-promote8217; mode these days thanks to the World Cup. In fact, he even seems to have become more popular than most male models 8212; going by the amount of television footage he8217;s getting. So, does he think he8217;s a hit with the ladies?

So what does he do now?

This 40-year-old star doesn8217;t like to talk much about his work. quot;I play a lot of golf, have a small office to run and spend time at home.quot;

A small office did you say? So he has a company?

Yes. He owns an import business and is also into sports writing. But he seems more comfortable talking about cricket than business. quot;I earn enough money and enjoy myself.quot;

So, how does he rate the Indian team? A lot of people are feeling down after they lost their opening game to South Africa, and then that humiliating defeat againstZimbabwe.

quot;I hope they play well. Losing the opener to South Africa doesn8217;t mean the end of the road.quot; He sure is optimistic! But now that we8217;ve finally won a match 8212; if only against Kenya 8212; so are we.

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How come he is not in London watching the carnival? Doesn8217;t he feel he8217;s missing out on the action?

No at all. quot;I am planning to go there. But for the moment, it8217;s all happening here for me.quot;

Does he think the younger bunch of cricketers deal with the media better than his generation did?

He admits that all the attention cricketers get can throw them off guard. quot;But they are a lot sharper and more confident.quot;

What does the future of Indian cricket look like?

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quot;To keep the game alive, we need to produce a Sachin Tendulkar every five years or so. We need to win to keep the game popular. Who would have thought 10 years ago that hockey would be as popular as it is today?quot; Kapil says he would like to see more people actively participating in sports. quot;Once people hit acertain age, they just stop playing.quot;

What about his family 8212; does his toddler like the sport?

quot;She plays with a bat and ball 8212; my Amiya is no different from any other child.quot;

And his wife?

quot;I don8217;t carry any messages for her. You will have to ask her. But I hope she does.quot;

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In a month or so, cricket fever should die down. Now that Kapil8217;s celeb status is revived, does he plan to continue his stint under the arclights 8212; like do a film or something?

That thought hasn8217;t crossed his mind, though he does like to watch Hindi films. quot;I am like every other person who loves watching films 8212; just because you8217;re famous, doesn8217;t mean you have to lead a different life.quot;

Okay, although he8217;ll go down in history as one of India8217;s best loved cricket heros, Kapil is just a normal guy. But does this normal guy have any regrets?

quot;None at all. I am really lucky God gave me a beautiful life.quot; La Dolce Vita.