Chennai: The second season of the glitzy Indian Super League got off to a dazzling start as a host of celebrities descended on Nehru Stadium here on Saturday. The humid condition was no dampener as a crowd of nearly 25,000 enjoyed the starry opening ceremony hosted by Bollywood hero Arjun Kapoor. With Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Rajinikanth, A.R. Rahman and Alia Bhatt on the stage, the crowd had every reason to go into a trance.
The event started with a traditional dance fusion of Bharatanatyam, Kathakali and Kuchipudi followed by a medley by ‘Two States’ actress Alia. She sent the crowd swaying to Saturday Saturday from Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania and ended with the ISL theme song ‘Lets Football’.
The former Miss World then stole the thunder with a dance of popular numbers Irumbile oru idhayam from Enthiran, Dhoom Machale from Dhoom and Dola Re from Devdas. Chants of ‘Sachin Sachin’ filled the air as the Little Master made his way on the dais. However, the loudest cheer was reserved for superstar Rajinikanth who went round the stadium in an open vehicle waving to the fans and exchanged pleasantries with Tendulkar and Nita Ambani, ISL founder, on the stage. The ‘Mozarat of Madras’ got into action with the national anthem assisted by Sivamani on the drums and the entire stadium joined in the chorus
