IPL 8: Hrithik Roshan, Anushka Sharma Rehearse in Rainy Kolkata

Bollywood actors Hrithik Roshan and Anushka Sharma arrived in Kolkata on April 6, a day ahead of their much-awaited performance at the Indian Premier League (IPL) inaugural and dived straight into rehearsals despite thundershowers.

Hrithik, Anushka and Shahid Kapoor are set to enthrall spectators at the gala opening ceremony at the Salt Lake Stadium.

However, according to the Met Office forecast, rain and thunderstorms could play spoilsport at the event.

Notwithstanding the downpour, the actors were spotted practicing their moves with a troupe of background dancers for the two-hour-long programme on Tuesday.

Some of the dancers, which included foreigners, were attired in hooded jackets for protection from the rain.

The stadium was covered in a haze of blue light and was abuzz with activity as the two showed up.

A thunderstorm on April 5 affected Kolkata Knight Riders' practice at the Eden Gardens which turned soggy.

The Knight Riders' cricketers had to be content with a workout at the Pankaj Gupta indoor stadium located within the Eden Gardens premises.

KKR, the defending champions, and the rest of the league teams will participate in the grand opening show.

Apart from Hrithik, Anushka and Shahid, other tinsel town celebrities roped in for the inaugural include actor-director Farhan Akhtar who will belt out songs with his band.

Actor Saif Ali Khan, Indian cricketing legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's son, will host the show and introduce the cricketers and stars.

For Hrithik, it was a rather nostalgic trip as his first live act after his stellar debut in father Rakesh Roshan's Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, was at the same venue in Kolkata.

He tweeted: