I have paid my players to win, says SRK

“I have paid my players to win. Will I pay them now to lose? This is illogical,” an angry Shah Rukh told journalists on the sets of his television show Kya Aap Panchvi Paas Se Tez Hain at the Film City in suburban Mumbai.

The actor was clearly upset at being treated as if he was a bookie.

“IPL has its set of rules and regulations and I am a law-abiding person. But, why pick me? Other team owners are seen near their players. Is it because I am a celebrity and vulnerable?” he asked angrily.

IPL authorities subsequently decided that an owner can stay in the team dug-out, while four visitors would be allowed to 15 minutes each and they can be there one at a time.

Shah Rukh was far from happy with the IPL decision to give only 15 minutes to the visitors.

“Why should I be given only 15 minutes time with my players? This is unfair,” the actor said.

He said IPL is a domestic cricket tournament and should follow the rules and regulations of BCCI.

Scoffing at reports in a section of the media that he does not get along with his team captain Sourav Ganguly, Shah Rukh asked, “Reports said that I was kicking chairs. Don’t I have any work other than clarifying to the whole world that nothing of this sort has happened?”

He said Knight Riders has lost a couple of matches and the team was down at present, but it should not be looked as an opportunity to ‘hatch conspiracy theories’.

“I have learnt that the world loves only winners,” he said.

The actor said Ganguly messaged him thrice requesting to clarify on the media reports of the alleged rift between them.

“My team told me that they have yet to meet a better human being than me. This is a huge compliment for me,” said the actor.

SRK admitted that his team’s losses were hurtful and disturbing.

“But this is a game and if there is a winner then there has to be a loser also,” he said rubbishing rumours that he was planning to sell off his team.

“Don’t hit someone when he is down. I have seen too many losses and victories in my career including films flopping, running successfully and speculations of not getting along with fellow film fraternity members. This is just one small incident,” he said.