The Pro Kabaddi League, into its fourth season now, has produced moments to cherish for a lifetime. Glitz, glamour and money have emerged as major elements of the league, which has revived India’s brainchild and given a dramatic face-lift to the game of Kabaddi. The Pro Kabaddi league follows suit from the Indian Premier League, where eight teams from eight different cities in India battle it out for the title.
The league showcases some of the world’s best kabaddi players involved in a battle to bring down their opponents or sometimes even their closest mates who don the jerseys of the opposition teams. Inside 40 minutes, vicious tackles and stunning raids bring home the never-dying excitement which propels the fame of the game around the world.
Although the fact remains that players from across the eight teams bring the spotlight onto the game, credit must also go to the anchors of the show who toil day and night to bring in precise pre-match analysis and the player’s perspectives into the game as they prepare to sweat it out on the mat.
Ahead of the games, these stunningly dressed anchors pitch in with their thoughts while also bringing in experts onto the show provide viewers an insight into the predictions and previous performances of the teams contesting on the day.
Here, we try to let you know all about these anchors.
Mantra
RJ Mantra, who was born as Puranjit Dasgupta on August 21, 1982, is an actor, voice-over artist and a model apart from being a highly successful radio jockey. Now settled in Mumbai, Mantra spent most of his childhood in Indore, where he was born. The famed artist got his name ‘Mantra’ when he started his first stint as an RJ with Radio Mirchi in 2000.
Shifting base to Delhi in 2003, he started working for Radio City and made his first entrances into the theatre industry. Emerging highly successful after several plays, Mantra moved to Mumbai in 2006 and earned a name for himself with his marvellous sense of humour and clever wit.
Mantra made his first TV appearance on 'Lagegi' as part of UTV in 2007. His other feathers on the cap include being a cricket commentator on Star Sports as well as the host of the ‘Cricket controversies’ show on NDTV 24x7. Popular as the stand-up comedian on Comedy Circus, he earned his first look into the movie industry with his debut role in the movie Tum Mile (2009). Mantra has several accolades to his name such as the RAPA award for the best radio jockey, two-time winner of the Promax Award for his Mumbai Local show on Red FM to name a few.
He has so far hosted all four seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League along with his co-hosts and is one the most loved characters on the screen with his quick wit.
Vrajesh Hirjee’
Vrajesh Hirjee is a famed television presenter and theater personality. A Gujarati actor by profession, he was born on June 16, 1971, in London. Featuring in over 40 Gujarati plays, Vrajesh has earned a huge name for himself in the Gujarati industry.
Apart from hosting the Pro Kabaddi League since it's inception, he has played roles in Hind movies such as Krrish 3, Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, Teri Meri Kahaani. His comical role in the movie series ‘Golmaal’ has seen him receiving several accolades for his rib-tickling performances.
Having hosted the popular show ‘The Man’s world’, Vrajesh has actively participated in reality shows such as Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout and Big Boss 6. He recently tied the knot with his girlfriend Rohini Banerjee.
Aahana Kumra
Born to a family with theater as a major source of income, Aahana’s bloom in the acting industry comes as no surprise. Born in Mumbai, she is a theatre artist who has also put in performances in the Television and movie industries and is making her debut season with Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League this year.
Completing her theater education from The Whistling Woods International School in Mumbai, where she learnt under the able wings of famed actor Naseeruddin Shah, she made her first big appearance alongside Amitabh Bachchan in the TV Series Yudh, where she played the veteran actor’s daughter.
Following her good performance in Yudh, she signed up for another TV series ‘Agent Raghav’, a crime thriller show where she played the lead female role. Her first movie stint came alongside her guru Naseeruddin Shah when she played the role of ‘Jaya’ in the movie Blueberry Hunt (2016).
Sachin Kumbhar
Sachin Kumbhar is a freelance anchor who is also a famous voice-over artist based out of Mumbai. Currently hosting The Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League, he has also lent his voice for many other global events such as the finale of the FBB Femina Miss India 2015, Star Sports Hero Hockey India League 2015 and had also actively been involved in the promotion of the reality show Big Boss on broadcasted on Colors.
With over eight years of international experience in radio broadcasting and television artistry, Sachin came into the PKL with loads of experience under his belt and has thrilled the viewers by no small measure. He has emceed for various programs and channels such as MTV, VH1, Zee international and several more. Coming into the PKL for his debut season, his strong voice added to his perfect sense of articulation has made him a heartthrob amongst kabaddi fans.
Sonika Chauhan and Kunal Saluja
Hosting Pro Kabaddi League for the second time in a row, Sonika has a lot of experience on her side, having anchored for Star Sports and NDTV 24x7 on earlier occasions. She is a sports freak, representing her school in various sports apart from which she has featured in the finals of the Miss India 2013 and is a VJ for Channel V.
Her series of talks with stars on the NDTV 24x7 platform have earned her a popular name. Apart from sports and anchoring, Sonika runs her own business along with one of her friends, a store which has been christened Prokerala.
Kunal Saluja is a radio jockey, associated with Red FM. Settled in Mumbai, the multi-faceted youngster has already experienced most of the aspects in connection to the media industry. An RJ by profession, Kunal has worked for a local channel as a VJ, and as an anchor with Big Magic for a game show they conducted.
