Playing cricket lot like acting, says Shahrukh Khan

Jaipur, Oct 15 (UNI) Acting in films is a lot like playing cricket and fluctuating adulation and criticism of the fans require practitioners of both the professions to be resolute and patient, feels Bollywood's reigning 'Badshah' Shahrukh Khan.

''I think while performing on the field and on the sets, we are under similar pressure. We are under the scanner all the time and I must say we have to deal with too many critics,'' Shahrukh said in a media intercation aboard the 'Blue Billion Express' which brought hundreds of fans here for Team India's Champions Trophy opener against England today.

Proclaiming himself to be one of the insatiable cricket fans, Shahrukh said just like in cinema where actors are under pressure to deliver hits after hits, the cricketers are also expected to win every match they play.

''The pressure is so much. Every film of mine raises a lot of expectations and the same goes for our cricketers. But I think despite all this, our team is doing really well. I think both professions require resolution and patience,'' he said praising Rahul Dravid and Co.

The superstar, who will next be seen in Farhan Akhtar's remake of Amitabh Bachchan-starrer blockbuster 'Don', said he was passionate about cricket but refused to name his favourite in Team India.

''I don't have any particular favourite. I like all of them. I love the team as a whole and I am driven by fan mentality which means that I become very critical when they lose,'' he admitted.

Shahrukh, however, said he was a 'professional fan' and the support of the fans are the real strength behind the Team India and it was high time that their contribution was noticed and appreciated.

''Everybody should realise that fans make the game in India and their support makes a lot of difference to the team,'' he pointed out.

The former hockey player lamented the lack of support for other sports and called for their commercialisation to promote them.

''We should be supporting it (hockey). I believe every sport whether it's hockey or any other, should get the funds and media attention so that the situation changes a bit. I suggest commercialisation because that can help bring in the money,'' he explained.

''In addtion we need to promote sports as a career option so that kids take them seriously. Parents should encourage children to take up sports because sports teaches one to be kind and have team spirit,'' he added.

Shahrukh said he himself has always encouraged his children to take sports seriously and revealed that his son Aryan practiced Taekwando and took keen interest in hockey, besides cricket.

''Aryan loves cricket but he is good at Taekwando. And I have been teaching him hockey for a while now,'' he said.

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