Kite runner MS Dhoni cuts Shah Rukh Khan's strings

Indian cricketers seem to have mastered the art of flying high, literally. This Makar Sankranti, new design kites with photographs of our cricketers are much more in demand than kites with pictures of Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

Right from Mahendra Singh Dhoni to Irfan Pathan, Rohit Sharma to Virender Sehwag, kites with their photos have been selling like hot cakes, about 75 per cent more than kites with pictures of Bollywood stars.

Mohammad Malik Ansari, who owns The Dongri Kite Store which is over 70 years old, confirms this. He says, “It seems Indian cricketers appeal more to youngsters today than our Bollywood stars. This, according to me, is a good thing.”

SM Khan, owner of Indian Fighter Kites in Dongri, says, “Kites with photographs of both Bollywood stars and cricketers are priced at Rs15.”

When asked which actor’s kites are selling the most, Mohammad Esa, owner of Esa Kite Centre, another store in Dongri, says, “It’s Salman Khan hands down. Kites with his picture are selling the most followed by Shah Rukh Khan. Then comes Aamir (Khan), Kareena (Kapoor), Katrina (Kaif) and so on.”