Out walked the rising star of television and radio, the man with the infectious wit, Ayushmann Khurrana. Dressed in a sharp tuxedo with a quirky bowtie, he bounded to the center of the stage, radiating energy.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, wasn't that spectacular?" Ayushmann beamed, his voice booming. "That video wasn't just a montage; it was a reminder. A reminder that in 2010, Indian sport didn't just knock on the door of the world stage; we kicked it down!"
The audience applauded politely. Ayushmann, a master of working the room, wasted no time.
"But, an award show is only as credible as the people judging it. Tonight, we didn't just pick names out of a hat. We gathered the Mount Rushmore of Indian sports to decide who takes home the trophy. Please put your hands together for our esteemed Jury Panel!"
The music shifted to a regal orchestral piece.
Ayushmann announced the names, his voice echoing with reverence.
"The Flying Sikh, Milkha Singh!"
"The Queen of Track and Field, P.T. Usha!"
"The Badminton Guru, Pullela Gopichand!"
"And the little master of Indian Cricket, Sunil Gavaskar!"
As each legend walked out, the room stood up. It was a parade of greatness. They lined up on stage, waving humbly.
"Thank you, legends," Ayushmann bowed. "Your job is done. The envelopes are sealed. Please, take your seats and enjoy the show. No stress tonight, only celebration."
As the jury members made their way to the front row VIP seats, the atmosphere shifted from reverent to anticipatory.
---
"Now, let's get down to business," Ayushmann announced. "The first award of the night is for Wrestler of the Year (Male)."
The nominees flashed on the screen. The winner was announced as Sushil Kumar.
A second award for Boxer of the Year went to Vijender Singh, who looked dapper and waved to the crowd.
"Okay," Ayushmann said, loosening his tie slightly. "We have honored the fists that throw the punch. Now, it's time to honor... the feet."
He paused for dramatic effect.
"We have a performer tonight who is known for his aggression on the pitch. But off the pitch? He has moves that would make Michael Jackson moonwalk back to the drawing board. Ladies and Gentlemen, give it up for the Kerala Express... S. Sreesanth!"
The spotlight hit the center of the stage.
The Indian cricket table erupted. Zaheer Khan put two fingers in his mouth and whistled. Yuvraj Singh stood up and shouted, "Oye Sree! Phod de!" (Smash it, Sree!)
Music blasted from the speakers—the high-octane beats of "Dhan Te Nan" from Kaminey.
Sreesanth exploded onto the stage. He was wearing a glittery vest and baggy pants. And boy, could he dance.
He didn't just move; he popped, he locked, he spun. He treated the stage like a wicket he had just taken.
The cricketers were in hysterics. Virat Kohli was laughing so hard he was holding his stomach. Deva, sitting at the back, was clapping rhythmically, impressed by the sheer energy of the fast bowler.
Sreesanth transitioned into "Twist" from Love Aaj Kal, pulling off a perfect split that made the audience gasp.
As the music ended, Sreesanth struck a pose, pointing his fingers like guns at the Indian table.
The applause was deafening. Even the senior pros like Dravid and Laxman were grinning.
---
After Sreesanth panted his way off stage, Ayushmann returned.
"Wow. I think I need to sign up for dance classes. Or maybe just bowl fast. Is there a correlation?"
Two more awards were handed out.
Best Performance at CWG (Female) went to Saina Nehwal.
Best Performance at CWG (Male) went to Gagan Narang.
The Commonwealth Games heroes received thunderous applause, a validation of their incredible haul in Delhi.
"We had the fire," Ayushmann said smoothly. "Now, we need the beauty."
The lights turned crimson. A silhouette appeared behind a screen.
The sultry tune of "Aapka Kya Hoga Janabe Ali" began.
The screen lifted to reveal Jacqueline Fernandez.
Dressed in a shimmering golden outfit, she delivered a performance that was pure Bollywood spectacle. It was fluid, glamorous, and mesmerizing.
When she finished, blowing a kiss to the audience, the applause was polite but appreciative. The cricketers, naturally, clapped a little harder than necessary.
Two more awards followed to Yashvir Singh (Wrestling), who was named Coach of the Year. Then Viswanathan Anand's defense of his World Chess title earned him the Memorable Moment of the Year award.
The Interaction: The Photos and The Songs
Ayushmann Khurrana, microphone in hand, hopped off the stage.
"Okay, enough formalities," he grinned, walking into the aisle. "I see a lot of serious faces. Let's loosen up. We have singers, we have dancers... let's see who we have in the audience."
He walked straight to the front row, where the legends sat.
He stopped in front of Sunil Gavaskar.
"Sunny Sir!" Ayushmann chirped. "You have faced the fastest bowlers in the world without a helmet. But today, I have a tougher question for you."
Gavaskar laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "No, no. I am retired. Whatever it is, ask the man next to me." He pointed to Sachin Tendulkar.
Ayushmann pivoted to Sachin. "Sachin Sir?"
Sachin smiled, his voice soft. "Ayushmann, look at the back. The energy is in the back benches. Ask the youngsters. Or ask Captain Cool."
Ayushmann nodded. "Captain Cool. Good idea."
He navigated through the tables until he reached MS Dhoni.
Dhoni was sitting with his legs crossed, looking relaxed.
"Mahi Bhai!" Ayushmann exclaimed. "The man with the golden touch. Sir, we play a game today. A game of dedication."
A volunteer handed Ayushmann three large placards, held face down so the images were hidden.
"I have three photos here," Ayushmann explained. "I want you to pick one. And whoever is in the photo... you have to dedicate a song to them. A song that fits their... personality."
Dhoni smiled, a bit skeptically. "Okay."
He pointed to the middle card.
Ayushmann flipped it over.
The giant screen magnified the image.
It was Osama Bin Laden.
There was a split second of stunned silence, followed by a roar of laughter. It was 2010—Bin Laden was still the world's most wanted man, the ultimate villain.
"Oh boy," Ayushmann laughed. "Captain, you picked a dangerous one. A song for the most wanted man on Earth?"
Dhoni scratched his head, looking genuinely stumped. "Song for him?"
From the side table, Virender Sehwag shouted, "Mahi! 'Tere Mast Mast Do Nain' gaa de!"
The table erupted.
Dhoni looked at Sehwag, then at the photo of the bearded terrorist. A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.
He leaned into the mic.
In his deep, slightly off-key baritone, Dhoni sang:
"Tere mast mast do nain... Bush ka chura liya chain..." (Your beautiful eyes... stole Bush's peace of mind...)
The ballroom exploded.
People were gasping for air. SRK was clapping from the side of the stage. Even Gavaskar was wiping tears of laughter. It was witty, topical, and delivered with that classic Dhoni deadpan face.
"Brilliant!" Ayushmann laughed. "Bush ka chain! Only Captain Cool could come up with that."
Ayushmann looked around. "Okay, who's next? Captain, you pick the victim."
Dhoni pointed his thumb backwards. "Go to the back. The Devil is hiding in the shadows."
Ayushmann turned. "Ah! The man in black. Siddanth Deva!"
Ayushmann walked over to the Wolfpack table. Deva was leaning back, smiling at Dhoni's performance.
"Deva Sir," Ayushmann said, standing next to him. "You look like you're about to go on a secret mission. Very Men in Black. Are there aliens among us?"
"Only you, Ayushmann," Deva quipped smoothly. "Your energy is extraterrestrial."
Ayushmann chuckled. "Flattery will get you everywhere. But now, you have to sing. Two cards left. Pick one."
Deva looked at the two face-down cards held by the volunteer.
"Left one," Deva said confidently.
Ayushmann flipped it.
The screen showed the breathtaking face of Aishwarya Rai.
A collective "Ooooooh" went through the crowd. The most beautiful woman in the world.
"Jackpot!" Ayushmann said. "You got lucky, Deva. No terrorists for you. You have the Queen of Bollywood. Which song for Ash?"
The table started thumping the beat. "Sing! Sing! Sing!"
Deva loosened his tie slightly. He didn't look nervous. He looked at the photo, then at the camera.
He brought the mic close.
Softly, melodiously, he began to croon the hit from Om Shanti Om.
"Ankhon mein teri... ajab si, ajab si, adayein hain..."
He didn't just say the lyrics; he sang them. He hit the notes perfectly.
"Dil ko bana dein jo patang... saansein ye teri wo hawaiyen hain..."
He finished the verse and gave a small nod.
For a second, there was silence. Then, genuine applause broke out. Not the laughter that followed Dhoni, but appreciation.
"Wah!" Ayushmann exclaimed. "Multi-talented! He bowls 150, hits sixes, and sings like Shaan? Is there anything you can't do?"
"Dance like Sreesanth," Deva smiled, sitting back down.
"Fair point," Ayushmann laughed.
He walked back towards the front. "Okay, one card left. Mahi bhai said we must involve the God. I cannot disobey the Captain."
He walked back to Sachin Tendulkar.
"Sachin Sir," Ayushmann said apologetically. "You tried to dodge it, but the ball has come back to you. The final card."
Sachin laughed, shaking his head. "Okay, show me. Who is it? Bradman? McGrath?"
Ayushmann flipped the final card.
The screen showed Bobby Darling.
(Bobby Darling was a flamboyant, transgender actor known for comic roles in Bollywood at the time).
The visual contrast—the God of Cricket and the eccentric Bobby Darling—was instant comedy. The audience roared.
Sachin covered his face with his hands, laughing.
"Sir," Ayushmann suppressed a giggle. "A song for Bobby?"
Sachin looked helpless. He looked at Sehwag. He looked at Harbhajan. "I don't know any songs for... this situation. Help me out."
From the front row, Yuvraj Singh—the prankster-in-chief—leaned over.
"Paaji!" Yuvi shouted. "Maa Da Laadla Bigad Gaya!" (The mother's beloved son has gone spoiled!)
The room convulsed with laughter. The song from Dostana was the perfect, cheeky fit.
Ayushmann ran over to Yuvraj. "Yuvi paaji! That is perfect! Come on, you sing it! You suggested it!"
Yuvraj's eyes widened. He suddenly looked terrified. He pointed frantically to a lady sitting two tables behind him.
"Nahi nahi!" (No no!) Yuvraj whispered loudly. "My mom is sitting right there! Shabnam ji is watching! If I sing Maa Da Laadla Bigad Gaya, she will think I am confessing! Leave me alone!"
"No excuses!" Ayushmann insisted, putting the mic in Yuvraj's face. "The nation wants to know! Sing it Sir!"
"Arre yaar," Yuvraj groaned, looking at his mother, who was actually laughing.
He sighed.
"Maa da laadla bigad gaya..." Yuvraj sang one line, quickly and quietly, before burying his face in his hands.
"Thank you, Yuvi Paaji!" Ayushmann shouted. "And sorry, Shabnam Aunty! Your son is a gem!"
Ayushmann sprinted back to the stage, the energy in the room at an all-time high.
"What a sport! Give it up for Team India! Singers, comedians, and champions!"
He adjusted his bowtie, catching his breath.
"We have laughed, we have danced. But the night is not over. We still have the big one. The Sportsperson of the Year. But first..."