By Subhash K Jha

Many people who attended the ILP Knight Riders' match in Kolkata last month were surprised to see the prolific Priyadarshan sitting quietly in the audience

"Even I was surprised to see myself there," jokes Priyan from the sets of his Shah Rukh Khan-Irrfan Khan starrer Billo Barbar.

"But I went for Shah Rukh's sake. Fortunately the Knight Riders won the match that day when I was there in Kolkata. Or people would've said I'm unlucky for Shah Rukh. Can't afford that image while I've cast him in the most unusual role of his career, and that too after four failed attempts to work with him."

Now that SRK won the Kolkata match Priyan is being called the lucky mascot. "Yes they're saying I'm lucky for Shah Rukh. Thank God."

Recalling his passion for cricket Priyan says, "I was a mad obsessive cricket player as a student. Then during one local match I nearly lost my eye."

Recalling the harrowing incident Priyan shudders, "I can never forget that day. The ball just slammed againt my eye. I had a hairline fracture. And I couldn't see. I thought I had lost my eye. Fortunately the eye is intact. But the nerves on the eyelid were enfeebled. So one eye is half –closed all the time."

So has that mishap put Priyan off cricket for keeps?

"No way! I love cricket. Thankfully I didn't make a career out of it. Otherwise today I'd have been working in a bank. The only reason why I don't play is because I'm making films round the clock.

There's no time for anything else. Yes, Shah Rukh has asked me to attend more of his matches. But I've been shooting Billo Barbar whereas he has completed his work and has made time for the IPL."

Shah Rukh and Priyan have hit it off big time. "After working with him I understand why he is who he is. No one can match his energy enthusiasm and passion for cinema. I'm already planning many more films with him."