KPL ambassadors get into cash fight

Junglee heroine Aindrita Ray throws a tantrum after hearing rumours that Pooja Gandhi might get Rs 10 lakh from Bijapur Bulls. She finally settles for Rs 2 lakh

KPL ambassadors get into cash fight

Junglee heroine Aindrita Ray throws a tantrum after hearing rumours that Pooja Gandhi might get Rs 10 lakh from Bijapur Bulls. She finally settles for Rs 2 lakh

Aindrita's fee was fixed for Rs 2 lakh and the deal was about to be sealed on Sunday, when she heard Pooja was demanding Rs 10 lakh for the same role.

Aindrita, heroine of the recent hit Junglee, got aggressive about her price and started bargaining, making life miserable for Nandeesh Reddy, owner of Bijapur Bulls.

"It was a Himalayan task to convince Aindrita that the news about Pooja's remuneration was not true," said a marketing executive. "Many of us spoke to her and pacified her."

The agreement has yet to be signed though. When MiD DAY called, Aindrita was in Mumbai, but hinted she would settle for what was being offered.

"The Belgaum team has also approached me, but my first option is Bijapur Bulls because Stuart is a close friend," she said.

Stuart Binny is leading the team in the KPL tournament kicking off on September 9. "He is a sweet guy, and I am accepting the offer for his sake," Aindrita said.

She said remuneration was no longer an issue. She sounded a bit worried when she said, "The team's management has yet to get back to me."

Nandeesh Reddy, also an MLA, said, "We are concentrating on team building now. We will look into brand issues later."

Will Rekha come?

He is also talking to veteran Bollywood star Rekha to come and cheer his team, but she has not responded.

It was not so tough for senior Congressman Shamanur Shivashankarappa when he chose Bhavana, heroine of Chandarmukhi Pranasakhi, to be brand ambassador for Davanagere Diamonds. Bhavana, who happens to be a Davanagere girl, readily agreed when the offer came knocking.

"I am honoured to be asked to cheer for my home town," said Bhavana, who was also in Mumbai. " I will play my role to support the team."

Kupendra Reddy, owner of Mysore Mahrajas, has a different plan in mind.

"Since we have named our team after the kings, heroines won't do as brand ambassadors. We are looking for a hero with a macho image," he said.

Male ambassador

His brand ambassador will be required to wear a crown like the Mysore Maharaja.

Our Mysore Maharaja? The KPL team from Mysore wants someone like Darshan to be their macho brand ambassador.

Movie stars Sudeep and Darshan are on Reddy's mind. A source said Darshan was likely to bag the offer. "We are also going to have the senior actor Ambarish on our side. He is the real boss," said Kupendra Reddy.

While former MLA Jayaprakash Hegde isu00a0 against the idea of having a brand ambassador for his Malnad Gladiators, Ravi Ramu, partner of Provident Bangalore, was not sure either way.

Reality show

Mohinuddin Bava of Mangalore United was planning a reality show to select his team, while his business team was working out modalities to finalise a brand ambassador.

Bangalore Brigadiers and Belgaum Panthers will meet on Wednesday to discuss on the brand ambassador issue.

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