Raj Shamani talks about Shah Rukh Khan, Controversies and IPL with Lalit Modi

Raj Shamani, entrepreneur and host of India’s leading podcast Figuring Out, has achieved what few could—getting Lalit Modi, the mastermind behind the IPL, to reveal the untold stories behind the league’s inception, the pivotal role of Bollywood, and most intriguingly, why Shah Rukh Khan became the league’s backbone.

In their riveting conversation, Raj Shamani draws out Lalit Modi’s vision of fusing cricket with Bollywood to create an entertainment powerhouse. “Bollywood and cricket sell in this country,” Modi explains, emphasizing how the synergy between these two cultural giants revolutionized sports entertainment in India. Raj Shamani, ever-curious, pushed further, asking the one question that has intrigued fans for years, “How Shahrukh Khan has been a strong pillar of IPL since the beginning?” The answer was a mix of nostalgia, strategy, and foresight, detailing Shahrukh’s involvement was crucial in catapulting the IPL to success, infusing it with universal appeal and a star power that elevated the league to an iconic status.

“I have always been a part of the glamor,” Lalit Modi began, as he narrated the story of Shahrukh Khan’s entry into the IPL. “Shahrukh Khan went to school with me; we are school friends. When I approached him for cricket, I didn’t know much about it myself, but I told him, ‘I just want you to be a part of it.’ He was the number one pillar for the IPL.”

Lalit Modi elaborated on Shahrukh Khan’s influence, “Shahrukh Khan bid for a team, even though he didn’t know anything about cricket. His first choice was Mumbai, but Mukesh Ambani took that. Kolkata was his eventual pick. But Shahrukh’s real contribution was in making cricket entertaining. He brought women and children into the stadiums, which was critical for IPL’s success. That’s why we had music, cheerleaders, and a festival-like atmosphere—he turned it into an event for everyone.”

He also credited Shahrukh for sparking a trend of celebrity involvement. “In year one, we had to beg or pay celebrities to come. By year two, they came on their own. After seeing Shahrukh, everyone wanted in—Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, you name it. Shahrukh’s presence turned the IPL into more than just cricket; it became a cultural movement.”

Tune in to “Figuring Out” this Saturday at 8:30 PM to find out.