Bollywood and cricket have often thrived together. And, SportsCenter’s Swaroop Kar unearths another alliance between the two.

In the past we have seen cupid striking between cricketers and film stars or an odd appearance of a cricketer on the silver screen. But this time this union comes with a difference.

Besides refereeing in a cricket match, Shakti Singh can sing as well. As he starts singing ‘hui shaam unka khayal a gaya’ from Dharmendra-starrer Mere Humdam Mere Dost (1968), while officiating in the Ranji Trophy semifinal between Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, it is clear where his heart lies.

The former Delhi and Himachal fast bowler, who has recorded in films like Life Partner and Mera Dil Le Ke Dekho, is happy playing this double role right now. 

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“Right now these two things are not clashing with each other and I am getting good chances as playback singing and getting the matches also. But my priority is music,” Singh said.

Singh has saved a 'tanpoora' tune in his mobile phone and laptop for ‘riyaaz’ in morning and evening. He shifted his base from Delhi to Mumbai to pursue his singing career. And his break in Bollywood was thanks to Jatin Lalit.

“When I first met Jatin and Lalit, I gave them a CD of my songs. Lalit asked me to come to his studio and that he would like to see how I perform. I went to their studio and Lalit got impressed,” Singh said.

And, with movies like Ajay Devgun-starrer Athithi Tum Kab Jaoge in the pipeline, he is looking forward to play a long innings in Bollywood besides cameos in cricket. 

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