Can a goal be out of Ranveer Singh’s reach? The actor believed so. “This is so far-fetched that it was not even on my bucket list,” exclaims Singh, unable to believe that he has got the opportunity to be a part of the star-studded NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. He has flown off to Cleveland to show his prowess at the game that will be held on February 18, and will see him play alongside comedian Tiffany Haddish, rappers Anuel AA, Machine Gun Kelly, Jack Harlow and Quavo. Renowned players, including Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, Las Vegas Aces’ Dearica Hamby and Cleveland Cavaliers’ Daniel ‘Boobie’ Gibson and Anderson Varejao will also be part of the game.

Singh believes this can be an opportunity to highlight Indian cinema on a global platform. “I will play against and with some of the finest talents in [music] and sports. I wish to do my bit to propel Indian cinema to a place of global recognition. The Koreans have done it effectively despite the language barrier, and it serves as an example of what Indian cinema can do in the future at the global stage,” he says.

The US National Basketball Association appointed him as the NBA brand ambassador for India last September. Singh’s love for basketball goes back a long way. “I first became a fan when I started following Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in the ’90s. Then, I went to America for four years to study at Indiana University. It had a great basketball culture. Our apartment had a court next door, so, we played every day.”

Since then, the sport continues to be part of his daily life. “The apartment complex I stay in with Deepika [Padukone, actor-wife] has a court in the premises. It’s a great way to stay fit; it is a part of my cardiovascular exercise. Even if I have nobody to play with, I do some shooting practice. I find it therapeutic.”

The actor hasn’t been able to practice much before the big game as he was filming for Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. However, he will be coached by NBA legend Bill Walton in Cleveland before he hits the court.