Trust Shah Rukh Khan to be the first among equals even while flying cattle class.
Seat 1A on budget carrier JetLite's flight S2703 brought SRK to town on Monday, his star quotient highlighted as much by seat 1B being kept vacant as by the special "Welcome to Calcutta" from the captain on the flight deck.
Black jacket thrown over a black tee and a pair of denims, King Khan was the first to get off the Mumbai-Calcutta flight at 4.25pm along with his four-member entourage.
A wave and a flying kiss later, he got into a Mercedes and zoomed off.
Around 7.30, Shah Rukh stepped out of the ITC Sonar dressed for the Eden in a purple tee with the Kolkata Knight Riders' flaming helmet emblazoned on his chest.
Metro reconstructs SRK's first entry into the Eden this IPL season.
7.35pm: An S-class Merc rolls out of the ITC Sonar with Shah Rukh.
7.35pm: (outside the Eden): There's a buzz in front of gate No. 4 as a red-and-white pilot car rolls in, followed by a white BMW.
Policemen forming a three-tier cordon are on their toes and the chatter across walkie-talkies confirms a VIP entry. "Is it him?" the crowd hums.
The doors open. But there's no sign of Shah Rukh. It's Juhi Chawla. Sporting a KKR jersey, she walks into Block B accompanied by husband Jay Mehta.
7.45pm: The wireless set in an officer's hand comes alive. "Pilot 10 approaching Rabindra Sadan... Pilot 10 approaching Rabindra Sadan…," a voice crackles.
7.58pm: Pilot 10 — the police car escorting King Khan — comes into view, the gleaming silver Merc trailing it.
The pilot halts at the first cordon, making way for the car to sail through. The door opens and the hum becomes a crescendo. SRK it is.
A moment of hesitation and then he turns and starts blowing his trademark flying kisses.
Another dithering second and he decides against doing the disappearing act like Juhi.
The battery of photographers goes click-click.
8pm: "We are a new team this time. Let us forget the loss in the last three IPLs. Inshallah, we will do good this year," comes the assurance. "You people also pray for the team."
But a Calcutta team without Sourav Ganguly?
"We miss Dada. I have spoken with him over the phone. I will meet him. I wish even he was present here," says the KKR boss.
And still Korbo Lorbo Jitbo Re? "We did not have enough funds to develop a new theme song. Let us win some matches first… then there will be a new song. But Korbo Lorbo Jitbo Re will be there, always," he smiles.
8.02pm: Shah Rukh turns and vanishes through the gate in the next 10 seconds.
8.04pm: The crowd inside cheers. Guess who just entered the Eden
