The 50-year-old actor is rooting for the National Muay Thai Federation cup in 2016; urges athletes to fight hard, always be fair and have fun while in Mumbai
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 17, 2016)

Romance is the emotion that comes to mind when you think of Shah Rukh Khan. But Muay Thai World Champions and brothers Balkrishna and Danish Shetty point out that Bollywood's Badshah is equally suited to perform and promote a contact sport as he is encompassing the big screen through his signature move. The 50-year-old actor's 18-year-old son, Aryan, trains in Mixed Martial Art (MMA), and so do actors Varun Dhawan, Rajneesh Duggal, Sonal Sehgal and Nikitin Dheer.

"Shah Rukh sir and Varun have already come on board to promote the sport and have even filmed special videos to create awareness about it," says Balkrishna Shetty, eight-time undefeated National Champion, General Secretary of the Muay Thai Association of Maharashtra, and India's national coach in Muay Thai.

The actors, along with Vinod Tawde, Minister of State for primary, higher and technical education, as well as medical education and culture, will come together to announce the National Muay Thai Federation Cup 2016, a three-day sporting event beginning on February 18 at the Poisar Gymkhana.

Thanks to celebrity participation, it's suddenly being perceived as a 'glamorous sport'. Internationally already a rage, it's a good way to de-stress and release aggression.

Balkrishna reveals that SRK agrees with the motto the Shetty brothers live by - Learn fighting so that you never have to really fight.

The National Cup draws 250 athletes and over 50 officials from 25 states. "I am going to be there too and it's so nice to see everyone participate and cheer for the real stars of our country," asserts Varun, while SRK urges the athletes to fight hard, always be fair and have fun while in Mumbai. He also points out, "There are so many unrecognised heroes in the country who strive for excellence in the field of martial arts so it's great to see the emergence of a new championship right in front of your eyes."

Balkrishna however rues that parents still want their children to be singers and actors. "I am recognised internationally but it is sad that no one knows me in my own country," he sighs, but then adds with a smile that thanks to the support of the film fraternity, the sport is being included in the 2018 Asian Games with the Shetty brothers hoping to bring home the gold again!