The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 opening ceremony at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was nothing short of a star-studded extravaganza. Amidst the glitz and glamour, Superstar Shah Rukh Khan took centre stage, captivating the audience with his power-packed performance. But it wasn’t just his dance moves that left an indelible mark; his impassioned speech about “Naari-Shakti” resonated deeply.
His Speech
Before he dazzled us with his signature charm, SRK addressed the fans at the stadium. His words echoed across the arena, emphasizing the significance of women’s power in our country. He began,
“The Women’s Premiere League 2024, hamara desh, sadiyon se hi naari shakti pe depend karta hain. Chahe wo Bharat Maa ho, Pratima ho, Shakti Maa ho, Devi Maa ho, yaa hamare ghar mein baithi hui hamari pyaari-pyaari Maa ho.”
Translation: Our country has relied on the strength of women for centuries. Whether she is Mother India, an idol, a goddess of strength, or our beloved mother sitting at home, women have been running Fortune 500 companies as CEOs and nurturing children.
Breaking Walls And Glass Ceilings
SRK’s eloquence continued as he declared,
“So, they are going to break all the walls and glass ceilings and challenge all stereotypes. Aur agar har field mein itni unnati kar chuki hain toh sports mein kyu nahi (Women have progressed in every field, why not in sports?).”
The Rise Of Queens In Their Queendom
But SRK’s message transcended mere words. It was a call to action — a rallying cry for change. He proclaimed,
“The next 30 days will be about more than just women and their strength or cricket and the glory of sports; it will also be about women carving out a space for themselves. The emergence of queens in their monarchy.”
And then, with a twinkle in his eye, SRK playfully added,
“Aur ye sab ho ho gayi serious baatein, asli baat ye hain ki agle 25-30 din tak, yaha par itna saari mahilaye humko entertain karengi field par, television par, toh fir, Pathaan ka bhi toh kuch farz banta hain. Kyuki agar party Pathaan ke ghar pe rakhoge, toh mehmaan Nawaz ke liye Pathaan toh ayega hi” (Amidst all these severe talks, the real thing is that for the next 25-30 days, so many women will entertain us on the field on television. Therefore, Pathaan also has a duty. Because if you hold the party at Pathaan’s house, then Pathaan will surely come for hospitality.)
In those few minutes, SRK celebrated the spirit of womanhood, championing equality and urging us all to recognize the queens who reign in their queendom. His words echoed far beyond the stadium, leaving an indelible mark on hearts and minds — a testament to the power of women and the rise of queens.