The Indians and South Africans of Asian descent screamed in hysteria as he stood on the balcony of Block 2 at the Wanderers stadium, waving out to his junta in a manner of a king surveying his subjects. That he blew kisses to the camera and to the fans at large did show he was no ordinary king but an emperor of hearts.

Even as the path below him lay blocked, all wanting a glimpse of the man, the non-Asians among the crowds stood highly bemused at the proceedings. "Is Sachin Tendulkar here," asked one of them, "But he doesn't have a ponytail, does he?"

The man who had stopped everything on September 24 at the Wanderers cricket ground was none other than Shahrukh Khan, the mega star of Hindi film industry, crudely known as Bollywood everywhere.

Once he disappeared into his suite, my ordeal commenced. I wasn't allowed in that suite because I was wearing a pair of jeans, and the dress code demanded a jacket and formals. Three hand-written notes requesting a five minute audience and a 40-minute wait outside finally paid off.

One of the star's men came outside and asked "Who's Tapan?"

"It's me, it's me, it's me," I said.

"Okay," he turned to the security personnel, "Let him in."

The man protested, "But he's wearing jeans."

The argument did not even begin as the crony said "That's fine. Shahrukh wants him inside."

There sat before me nattily dressed King Khan, looking sleek in sunglasses and a ponytail. "Can't manage my hair if I don't do the ponytail," he told me with his dimpled smile.

So, did he come down especially for the match? "Well, yes, it's great to see an India versus Pakistan final in a World Cup. I am a sportsman… my last film Chak De! India which was all about hockey, and women's hockey in particular and overcoming regional and caste barriers, was well received and I bow down to the people with humility, all those who appreciated it. Here I am, supporting my Team India, and at the same time, hoping that we can get to see some very competitive cricket from these two great teams."

I asked him if his message to Team India would be the same that he gave to the bunch of unruly girls he coached into becoming world champions in the film – sometimes winning is not the only thing, it's everything – and again the famous smile emerged. "For me, this Indian cricket team is already a winner. Irrespective of what happens from here on, every one of them is a winner. See the josh they have displayed throughout. From here on, it's chak de phatte!"

As India pulled off yet another tight victory to win the inaugural ICC World Twenty20, Shahrukh was at the team dugout, hugging the players, posing with skipper MS Dhoni and Irfan Pathan, and screaming to the crowds – what else but – "Chak de India."

It was a moment that brought a lump to the throats of many an Indian fan, as the entire stadium sang, "Chak de India."

The Indians and South Africans of Asian descent screamed in hysteria as he stood on the balcony of Block 2 at the Wanderers stadium, waving out to his junta in a manner of a king surveying his subjects. That he blew kisses to the camera and to the fans at large did show he was no ordinary king but an emperor of hearts.

Even as the path below him lay blocked, all wanting a glimpse of the man, the non-Asians among the crowds stood highly bemused at the proceedings. "Is Sachin Tendulkar here," asked one of them, "But he doesn't have a ponytail, does he?"

The man who had stopped everything on September 24 at the Wanderers cricket ground was none other than Shahrukh Khan, the mega star of Hindi film industry, crudely known as Bollywood everywhere.

Once he disappeared into his suite, my ordeal commenced. I wasn't allowed in that suite because I was wearing a pair of jeans, and the dress code demanded a jacket and formals. Three hand-written notes requesting a five minute audience and a 40-minute wait outside finally paid off.

One of the star's men came outside and asked "Who's Tapan?"

"It's me, it's me, it's me," I said.

"Okay," he turned to the security personnel, "Let him in."

The man protested, "But he's wearing jeans."

The argument did not even begin as the crony said "That's fine. Shahrukh wants him inside."

There sat before me nattily dressed King Khan, looking sleek in sunglasses and a ponytail. "Can't manage my hair if I don't do the ponytail," he told me with his dimpled smile.

So, did he come down especially for the match? "Well, yes, it's great to see an India versus Pakistan final in a World Cup. I am a sportsman… my last film Chak De! India which was all about hockey, and women's hockey in particular and overcoming regional and caste barriers, was well received and I bow down to the people with humility, all those who appreciated it. Here I am, supporting my Team India, and at the same time, hoping that we can get to see some very competitive cricket from these two great teams."

I asked him if his message to Team India would be the same that he gave to the bunch of unruly girls he coached into becoming world champions in the film – sometimes winning is not the only thing, it's everything – and again the famous smile emerged. "For me, this Indian cricket team is already a winner. Irrespective of what happens from here on, every one of them is a winner. See the josh they have displayed throughout. From here on, it's chak de phatte!"

As India pulled off yet another tight victory to win the inaugural ICC World Twenty20, Shahrukh was at the team dugout, hugging the players, posing with skipper MS Dhoni and Irfan Pathan, and screaming to the crowds – what else but – "Chak de India."

It was a moment that brought a lump to the throats of many an Indian fan, as the entire stadium sang, "Chak de India."