ust a day before the first Indian Premier League (IPL) match kicked off in South Africa, broadcaster Star Plus surprisingly announced that it was co-sponsoring Kolkata Knight Riders — the IPL team owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan. Explaining the move, Star sources claimed the film star enjoys a very good relationship with the broadcasting company and that it was good publicity for the channel as well. But the real reason behind the move could lie elsewhere.
In a manner of speaking, Khan owed Star Plus some money — the channel had paid him for two seasons of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) but never shot the second lot since the first season failed to get enough viewers. With Star’s contract period with Khan (for KBC and Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain) drawing to a close, the co-sponsorship deal was the film star’s formula for settling the dues.
