On July 18, superstar Amitabh Bachchan will perform the National Anthem in front of a live audience to kickstart Season 2 of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League. Every day, before the match, eminent personalities and performers from a wide diaspora encompassing local musicians, school children and bands from different corners of the country will perform their own unique rendition of the National Anthem before the start of each game.

This initiative will encourage the country to rise as a nation, sing along and build up to a high energy moment before the start of a match.The eight franchise cities that are part of the league include Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Patna, Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru and Pune. The network has also made an impact with its commitment to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan across the franchise cities to involve in-stadia audiences, franchise clubs, Kabaddi players as well as viewers to participate in keeping their surroundings clean.

Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India, said, “We have a deep and abiding commitment to growing the sport of Kabaddi. The inaugural season introduced the sport in an aspirational and cool avatar. We are delighted to partner with Mr Amitabh Bachchan for the second season of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi, to help galvanise the sport across the nation.“

Amitabh Bachchan said, “The early years of one's life are the moments deeply ingrained in us. Kabaddi formed an integral part of our daily sport. When I was asked for my participation, I readily agreed for one simple reason - nothing would give me more pride than to perform the National Anthem at the beginning of this new and exciting league that is taking India's sport to a whole new level.“

The Star Sports Pro Kabaddi starts tonight at 7.50 pm on Star Sports, Star Gold and Hotstar.