New Delhi: On an evening when India, ranked a lowly 106th in world football, was represented at the nerve-jangling Argentina-France faceoff by Deepika Padukone, who unveiled the glittering gold trophy that the two contenders fought for down to the wires, for the avid stargazer, there was enough to write home from Qatar’s Lusail Stadium.
Even as Paris Saint-Germain teammates Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe were locked in a nerve-wracking battle of wills, with President Emmanuel Macron cheering France and not holding back his emotions from his VVIP box, Deepika’s husband, Ranveer Singh, after being briefly seen with her, was busy bromancing former Team India manager Ravi Shastri.
In a video tweeted by Shastri, Ranveer, sporting the shades worn by his “Cirkus” character, exclaims: “We are about to witness history, Ravs.” Shastri responds by pointing at Ranveer and declaring: “Whenever something big is happening, catch this guy missing out.” They end their bro moment singing, “I don’t know what to say, I don’t know what to say.” And then, Ranveer plants a bro kiss on Shastri’s right cheek.
Truly, what an unforgettable final it turned out to be, topped up by Mbappe’s hat-trick!
Deepika’s “Pathaan” co-star, Shah Rukh Khan, unfazed by the controversy triggered by their “Besharam Rang” number, was, meanwhile, dancing with English football legend Wayne Rooney in the studio of FIFA World Cup broadcaster, Sports 18.
Before the electrifying action started, the two superstars of cricket-crazy Kerala tweeted their presence at the stadium that the entire world watched in nervous anticipation. Mammootty declared: “Witnessing the biggest sporting spectacle! What an atmosphere … What a moment!!”
His son and pan-India star Dulquer Salman seems to have missed the action, so he carried a poster with Messi and Mbappe staring out of it, with the comment: “Tonight’s gonna be insane! Argentina against France. Messi against Mbappe. May the best team win.”
Mohanlal expressed the emotion that must have overpowered all those present at the stadium taken over by more than 50,000 Argentine fans.
The superstar just couldn’t couch his excitement: “At Lusail Stadium, joining the world to witness the clash of the titans and partake of the world’s favourite madness! Awaiting a phenomenal and entertaining game from the bests, just like you all!”
–IANS