View source for 2012 Indian Premier League opening ceremony

{{Afd-merge to|2012 Indian Premier League|2012 Indian Premier League opening ceremony|15 January 2026}}
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox news event
| title                    = 2012 Indian Premier League<br />opening ceremony
| image_name               = 2012 Indian Premier League opening ceremony.jpg
| image_size               = 250px
| date                     = {{start date|2012|04|03|19|30||+05:30|df=y}}
| place                    = [[YMCA College of Physical Education]], [[Chennai]]
| coordinates              = {{Coord|13|1|35.6|N|80|14|10.25|E|scale:3125_region:IN|display=inline, title}}
| filmed by                = [[SET Max]]
}}
The [[opening ceremony]] of the [[2012 Indian Premier League|fifth season]] of [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL) took place on the evening of 3 April 2012 in the [[YMCA College of Physical Education]], [[Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://crickethighlights1.com/ipl-2012/ipl-2012-opening-ceremony-live-streaming-video-3rd-april-2012-911.html|title=IPL 2012 Opening ceremony live streaming video 3rd April 2012|publisher=CricketingHighlights1.com|access-date=25 August 2012|archive-date=21 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621091934/http://crickethighlights1.com/ipl-2012/ipl-2012-opening-ceremony-live-streaming-video-3rd-april-2012-911.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ceremony was designed by [[Wizcraft Entertainment]], and began at 19:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]], lasting almost two and half hours.<ref name="toi1">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/news/IPL-2012-Opening-Ceremony-Lengthy-Bollywood-style-ceremony-launches-IPL-5/articleshow/12520718.cms|title=IPL 2012 Opening Ceremony: Lengthy Bollywood style ceremony launches IPL 5|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=3 April 2012|access-date=24 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="ipl">{{cite web|url=http://www.iplt20.com/news/2012/announcements/414/kareena-kapoor-spices-up-ipl-opening-nite|title=Kareena Kapoor spices up IPL Opening Nite|publisher=Indian Premier League|date=21 March 2012|access-date=25 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827031518/http://www.iplt20.com/news/2012/announcements/414/kareena-kapoor-spices-up-ipl-opening-nite|archive-date=27 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The tickets for the ceremony were priced at {{INRConvert|1500}} and were available online at the official website of the IPL from 16 March 2012.<ref name="ipl"/><ref name="amit"/> Similar to the previous versions, the [[Captain (cricket)|captains]] of the nine participating teams took the "[[Marylebone Cricket Club|MCC]] Spirit of Cricket" pledge.<ref name="ipl"/> Various [[Bollywood]] actors, dancers, and musicians performed in the ceremony.<ref name="toi1"/>

==Background==
The event was planned to be held at [[M. A. Chidambaram Stadium]], but was shifted to the YMCA College of Physical Education ground.<ref name="toi2"/> The capacity of the YMCA college was lesser than that of the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, and this caused disappointment.<ref name="toi2"/> [[Tamil Nadu Cricket Association]] said that the decision was made because the opening match was to be played at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, and thus they cannot have opening ceremony in it due to risk of the cricket ground getting damaged by the performances.<ref name="toi2">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/news/IPL-2012-Opening-Ceremony-Bollywood-stars-promise-glittering-launch-to-IPL-5/articleshow/12510100.cms|title=IPL 2012 Opening Ceremony: Bollywood stars promise glittering launch to IPL 5|agency=[[Times News Network]]|newspaper=The Times of India|date=3 April 2012|access-date=25 August 2012}}</ref> Sabbas Joseph, director of Wizcraft Entertainment, talking about the ceremony stated that, "There will be good things, lots of entertainment and cricket. It's the first time that such a large-scale, separate concert is being organised for the IPL, so big things have been planned."<ref name="cc">{{cite news|url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricket-articles/IPL-2012-Opening-ceremony-set-for-high-dose-of-entertainment/12939|title=IPL 2012: Opening ceremony set for high dose of entertainment|publisher=cricketcountry.com|date=31 March 2012|access-date=25 August 2012|archive-date=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402205939/http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricket-articles/IPL-2012-Opening-ceremony-set-for-high-dose-of-entertainment/12939|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Ceremony==
[[File:Katy Perry - Part Of Me Australian Premiere - June 2012 (4).jpg|thumb|right|[[Katy Perry]] made her maiden performance in India at the ceremony.|150px]]
The ceremony started at 19:30 IST, however the gates were opened at 17:00 IST.<ref name=amit/> A huge cut out poster of [[Salman Khan]] was kept at the YMCA ground prior to the ceremony.<ref name="toi2"/> The ceremony was hosted by [[Amitabh Bachchan]] who had undergone two abdominal surgeries in February 2012.<ref name=amit>{{cite news|title=Amitabh Bachchan to host IPL 5 opening ceremony|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/news/Amitabh-Bachchan-to-host-IPL-5-opening-ceremony/articleshow/12328132.cms|access-date=25 August 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=19 March 2012|location=New Delhi}}</ref> Earlier he had conveyed a message via Twitter saying, "April 3rd is the day for the opening. Preparing for it already. Getting back into the grind."<ref name=amit/> Media reports suggested that Bachchan will be dancing, however Joseph said that this is unlikely to happen.<ref name="cc"/> He began the ceremony by reciting a poem, "If I were to be born again" by [[Prasoon Joshi]].<ref name="toi1"/> Later, the [[Colonial Cousins]], along with South African band [[First Project]] and [[DJ Ravi Drums]], performed in the ceremony.<ref name="toi1"/> It was followed by [[Priyanka Chopra]] performing with cricketers like [[Harbhajan Singh]] on various songs from her films.<ref name="toi1"/> [[Prabhu Deva]] also performed on songs from his films such as ''[[Wanted (2009 film)|Wanted]]'' and ''[[Hum Se Hai Muqablah]]''.<ref name="toi1"/>

After that, few members of the [[Chennai Super Kings]]' squad arrived on the stage, and Chopra joined them.<ref name="toi1"/> Later [[Kareena Kapoor]] danced to songs from her films ''[[Ra.One]]'' and ''[[Agent Vinod (2012 film)|Agent Vinod]]''.<ref name="toi1"/> The performances of Chopra and Kapoor were choreographed by [[Shiamak Davar]] and his companions.<ref name="cc"/> After the dance performances, the captains of the nine teams took the "MCC Spirit of Cricket" pledge.<ref name="toi1"/> Captain of the defending champions, [[M.S. Dhoni]] placed the trophy on the podium and it was followed by the chairman of IPL, [[Rajiv Shukla]] crediting the players, franchise owners, supporting staff and the spectators for the success of IPL.<ref name="toi1"/> He then formally opened the 2012 IPL, saying, "It gives me a great pleasure to flag off the fifth edition of the DLF Indian Premier League, an arena where quality international and domestic cricketers take part in intense contest of strategy and skill. IPL is a platform where talent meets opportunity."<ref name="toi1"/>

Salman Khan performed on songs from his films ''[[Ready (2011 film)|Ready]]'', ''[[Bodyguard (Hindi film)|Bodyguard]]'', ''Wanted'', ''[[Partner (2007 film)|Partner]]'' and ''[[Jab Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kiya]]''.<ref name="toi1"/> American pop star [[Katy Perry]] closed the ceremony performing "[[Firework (song)|Firework]]" and "[[California Gurls]]".<ref name="toi1"/> The ceremony ended with fireworks.<ref name="toi1"/>
{{clear}}
{{multiple image
| footer = Performances at the ceremony

| footer_align = center
| width = 180
| align = center
| image1 = IPL 5 pohoto(8).jpg
| caption1 = Prabhu Deva
| image2 = IPL 5 pohoto(10).jpg
| caption2 = Priyanka Chopra
| image3 = IPL 5, opening ceremony (2012).jpg
| caption3 = Kareena Kapoor
| image4 = IPL 5 pohoto(13).jpg
| caption4 = Salman Khan
| image5 =
| caption5 = Colonial Cousins, First Project and DJ Ravi Drums
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.iplt20.com/ Official Website of Indian Premier League]

{{Portal bar|India|Cricket}}

{{Indian Premier League}}

[[Category:2012 Indian Premier League|Opening ceremony]]
[[Category:Opening ceremonies]]
[[Category:2012 in Indian cricket]]
[[Category:Ceremonies in India]]