News Snippets

1. Official Website: Finally, Chennai Super Kings's Official website has been launched. Though the website's design is nicely done, it is not yet fully functional. You can check it out at http://chennaisuperkings.com
2. Surprises: As I wrote in the last 'News Snippets', there are a few more surprises in the team composition. New players included in the squad are Vidyuth S, S Suresh Kumar, P Amarnath, Jaydev Shah and Arun Karthick. For the entire squad list, click here.
3. New Sponsor: In the official website, Aircel has been given the same importance as the other brands of India Cements Ltd. So we can safely assume that Aircel is going to be the main sponsor of Chennai Super Kings.

Rajiv Menon to direct Chennai Super Kings' Anthem

If this source is to be believed, Ace cinematographer-cum-film maker Rajiv Menon is going to direct the music video/anthem for Chennai Super Kings. Rajiv, responsible for the success for  several commercials, is taking every effort to make this video stand out from the rest. Both Vijay and Nayanthara are expected to shake their legs for the video.

 

According to insiders, the video is expected to be ready within the first week of April. A segment of the video, featuring  a bunch of youngsters and top players from the Chennai team, was recently shot at AVM studios. [To know about AVM's connection with Chennai Super Kings, read here]

Jacob Oram available for 4 matches

Five New Zealand players, signed with the Indian Premier League, have been given permission by New Zealand board to miss the opening two matches of the England tour. This is great news for Chennai Super Kings fans since Jacob Oram is in great form these days. And this decision by New Zealand Cricket board means he will be available for the first four matches played by Chennai Super Kings. Now, my only wish is that he makes a quick recovery from his hip problem and be fit enough to play all the four matches for Chennai Super Kings. Chennai Super Kings squad would be surely strengthened by the presence of a player of his caliber.

News Source: Cricinfo

India Cements Ltd's Kollywood Connections

When India Cements Ltd announced that Vijay and Nayanthara are going to be the star ambassadors for Chennai Super Kings, I was hugely surprised by the swiftness, with which India Cements Limited was able to sign two of Kollywood's hottest stars. While some fans talked about huge sums of money exchanging hands, it was a mystery to me. So I did a little big of digging(googling).

Srinivasan's Connection with Vijay and Nayantara:

It came as a surprise to me that N. Srinivasan's daughter Rupa Gurunath is married to Gurunath Meiyappan of AVM family, one of the oldest and leading film and TV serial production houses in the south[Source: ET]. Once I found this connection, everything started falling into place. Viay's next film (under AVM banner) is being produced by AVM Balasubramanian and Gurunath Meiyappan[Source: Hindu]. AVM Balasubramanian, younger brother of AVM Saravanan, is the father of Gurunath Meiyappan. I don't think I have to reveal the final piece of the puzzle - Heroine of Vijay's future film under AVM banner. None other than Nayanthara[Source: oneindia]. The final nail in my research is the confession by Nayanthara in her sify interview that Gurunath Meiyappan contacted her regarding Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings is the first endorsement done by Nayanthara and Vijay too is known for his rare endorsements. So it can be safely assumed that it was the association with cricket and India Cements Ltd's connection that resulted in the signing rather the huge sums of money. Thanks to Gurunath Meiyappan's connections, Chennai Super Kings is able to employ various Kollywood stars and artists for Chennai Super Kings.

Gurunath Meiyappan on the left

Nayantara Expresses Support for CSK

On March 18, India Cements Ltd formally introduced Vijay and Nayanthara as Star Brand Ambassadors for Chennai Super Kings. Though Vijay was present in the inaugural function, Nayanthara was conspicuous by her absence. But Nayanthara has made amendments to her absence through an exclusive interview to Sify.com, in which she expresses her support for Chennai Super Kings.

 

From Nayanthara's Interview"

• She has never watched cricket live in a stadium
• Her favourite player is Sachin Tendulkar, though she likes Dhoni's attitude and captaincy. She is all excited to meet Sreesanth, a fellow Keralite.
• She has promised to show up at all the matches featuring Chennai Super Kings.

P.S: With Nayantara promising to be present in all the cricket matches, don't be surprised to hear rumours connecting Nayantara with Chennai Super Kings' players.