Hrithik, Anushka in Kolkata for IPL opening, rehearse amid showers

Bollywood actors Hrithik Roshan and Anushka Sharma arrived here on Monday, a day ahead of their much-awaited performance at the Indian Premier League (IPL) inaugural and dived straight into rehearsals despite thundershowers.

Hrithik, Anushka and Shahid Kapoor are set to enthrall spectators at the gala opening ceremony at the Salt Lake Stadium.

However, according to the Met Office forecast, rain and thunderstorms could play spoilsport at the event.

Notwithstanding the downpour on Monday evening, the duo were spotted practising their moves with a troupe of background dancers for the two-hour-long programme on Tuesday.

Some of the dancers, which included foreigners, were attired in hooded jackets for protection from the rain.

The stadium was covered in a haze of blue light and was abuzz with activity as the two showed up.

A thunderstorm on Sunday affected Kolkata Knight Riders' practice at the Eden Gardens which turned soggy.

The Knight Riders' cricketers had to be content with a workout at the Pankaj Gupta indoor stadium located within the Eden Gardens premises.

KKR, the defending champions, and the rest of the league teams will participate in the grand opening show.

Apart from Hrithik, Anushka and Shahid, other tinsel town celebrities roped in for the inaugural include actor-director Farhan Akhtar who will belt out songs with his band.

Actor Saif Ali Khan, Indian cricketing legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's son, will host the show and introduce the cricketers and stars.

For Hrithik, it was a rather nostalgic trip.

The star son's first live act after his stellar debut in father Rakesh Roshan's "Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai", was at the same venue in Kolkata.

"Going 2 b nostalgic. Happy 2 return 2 where I started. Salt lake stadium. my 1st stage. the date 7th April. See you all at @IPL Opening Nite," the actor tweeted earlier.

Spotted in trendy casuals, Hrithik was soon surrounded by fans and shutterbugs upon his arrival at the airport here.

Anushka landed in the city with her beau, cricketer Virat Kohli.