India is a country where, when it comes to sports, cricket basically rules. Cricketers are idolised by their fans and are considered celebrities. Defying the norm, Khali ? a wrestler from WWE ? has become cynosure of all eyes.

On his trip to India, Khali has had quite a busy schedule and the crazy fan following is throwing more limelight on him, thereby putting him into a busier schedule. Today he seems to be the most sought after celebrity in India to which Khali says, “I am quite overwhelmed with the response I am getting in India.” A few years back, he wouldn’t have thought of such adulation in the wildest of his dreams.


Since his arrival in India, Khali has been busy meeting people and media and it seems that he is running out of time. People are eager to meet him and even the President of India came out to felicitate him in New Delhi. Khali’s craze has been so phenomenal that bigwigs of cricket, politics and the film circuit are in the pursuit to have a rendezvous with him. The government of Himachal Pradesh, the home state of Khali, is in the process of honouring him in a ceremony. Even Punjab police showed its warm gesture by promoting Khali from a constable to sub-inspector in the Punjab Armed Police.

Khali received an overwhelming reception at the New Delhi airport and ever since has been in the thick of news and events. Little master Sachin Tendulkar was among the first of celebrities to meet Khali with his family. The group photo of the two families were splashed all over the news channels and print media for a good amount of time. Then came the turn of Vadheras, Priyanka and Robert, with their children who were obliged by some autographed photos by Khali.


It has been quite unprecedented that a person from a sport of wrestling has been subject to such great love and adulation in a country where cricket rules the roost. There has been a lot of debate that cricket and its stars have overshadowed every other sport, but Khali has sort of broken all traditions and rituals. He has become an icon in the wrestling scene not only in India but also throughout the world by his WWE stint.


The cricket frenzy Indian mass has greeted Khali with all fanfare and heartfelt gratitude. It is to Khali’s eternal credit that players and the franchisers of Indian Premier League (IPL) are eager to rope him in stadiums during the ongoing matches. It is heard that Bollywood star and owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, SRK, is planning to meet Khali with his children. He has also in pipeline the programme for inviting Khali to Eden Gardens in one of the IPL matches. GMR, owner of Delhi Daredevils team, is also in pursuit of getting Khali for at least one match in Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium.


Khali has also been viewed by Bollywood as a sure shot option for success of a flick. He has already been signed for a movie named ’Ramma – The Saviour’ for a whopping amount of around $300,000. Other producers are also in the queue, but it seems that Khali cannot be accessed easily by everyone.


New Delhi witnessed a public appearance of Khali where around 35,000 spectators went berserk and had a great time interacting with their star. The fan following, which Khali commands in India, has even left the WWE executives, who are accompanying him on this trip, spellbound. That is the power of Khali – the hottest celebrity in India at the moment!