The 'Old Man' of Bollywood

I'm gonna shift base

2010-04-08T01:22:00.000+08:00

... coz I'm trying to make my SRK blog into something that has less of a 'crazy fangirl' element to it and I thought that if I want to do that, I may as well come up with an entirely new blog altogether.

I'll still keep the ombollywood blog open of course. Once I've finished decorating the new domain for our lovely guy, I'll give a shout and paste the link here.

Watch this space! <3

Speed dancing

2010-03-27T14:09:00.000+08:00

..they chose the remix, and Shah Rukh did a great job keeping up with the tempo. A joy to watch.

Watching Mumbai Indians totalled Kolkata Knight Riders

2010-03-24T08:51:00.001+08:00

..the blanket was off after 2 minutes. Too hot in Malaysia and my room doesn't have air-conditioning. The pillow is very essential for like 5 overs and then it was just me staring speechlessly at the monitor in frustration. My intermittent screams were still loud enough to wake poor hubby from his heavy sleep. But alas, we lost.

I watched this in BBC World News yesterday and the title of the film was said very clearly.. "ra.one"

2010-03-15T18:48:00.000+08:00

...needless to say, I went berserk for a coupla seconds :P

IPL 3 KKR (2010) - Match Reports

2010-03-15T01:24:00.001+08:00

MUMBAI March 12th, 2010 - Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Deccan Chargers by 11 runs in the opening Twenty20 match of the third edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the D.Y. Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai here Friday.

Chasing a target of 162, Deccan Chargers made 150 for seven in 20 overs after skipper Adam Gilchrist scored 54. Angelo Matthews scored an unbeaten 65 and Owais Shah made 58 not out as the Knight Riders made 161 for four in 20 overs.
_________________________________________________________________________________

KOLKATA March 14th, 2010 - Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Bangalore Royal Challengers by 7 wickets in the Indian Premier League match at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.

Chasing 136 runs for victory, Knight Riders were given a flying start by their openers Brad Hodge and Manoj Tiwary, both scoring 50 runs. Roelof van der Merwe took two wickets for 27 for Royal Challengers.

IPL 3 KKR (2010) - Match Schedule

2010-03-15T01:13:00.001+08:00

If you believe in something, go for it: Shah Rukh Khan

2010-03-15T01:09:00.000+08:00

- A TELEGRAPH EXCLUSIVE
- Superstar No.1 SRK speaks to Lokendra Pratap Sahi

The following are excerpts

Q Your thoughts and emotions leading up to the first home match this season, on Sunday?

A The same as they were two years ago, in the IPL’s first season... With all the controversies and the issues that we’ve had, the one thing consistent has been the support of Calcuttans... When people love you so much, then you want to give them reasons to smile... That’s an obligation... Hopefully, there will be reason to smile across all centres, not just in Calcutta, during this IPL.

Did you intentionally not attend the opener, in Navi Mumbai?

Except Calcutta, I usually don’t go for matches anywhere... I sense that everybody in Calcutta loves the team the most and, so, I also come for the team... The team is more important and that is how it should be... It’s not that a film is being released and the focus has to be on me.

But you remain the biggest draw... There’s you and the captain, Sourav Ganguly...

It’s a misconception that I’m the biggest draw... If that indeed is so, then it has to be changed... Perhaps, we haven’t given enough reasons for the people to believe that I’m not the biggest draw... However, I appreciate the love and affection showered on the Knight Riders. I’ve been touched.

Do you get asked about KKR during your interactions with the media, or the public in general, overseas?

Recently, I was in New York and in Berlin... People do ask questions... Somebody asked me about the LA Lakers and I said that nothing in the world matches the atmosphere at Eden Gardens... I’d say that even if my team didn’t have an association with the ground... For me, there’s no place in the world to match Eden Gardens.

Third season as the principal owner of an IPL franchise... How do you look back on this experience?

I never look back... It’s over and done with... What can you do by looking back? I can’t do anything about the past, so why get into it? Be it successes or failures, I don’t dwell on the past... Obviously, it took me a few weeks and months to get over the fact that we didn’t play well enough (in the first two editions)... It took time because I’m passionate about what I do... (After a pause) A lot of people live on their successes and victories, I don’t... That’s the way I’ve lived my life and will continue doing so... I’m through with my films on the Monday after they’ve been released... Of course, it took me a little longer than a Monday to get over the KKR disappointments... I got over it before this season got under way and I’m sure the team got over it, too.

Looking ahead, then, is the mantra?

You know, I often get the feeling that we, as a people, lack positivity... I reach out to the youngsters and tell them failure isn’t fatal and success isn’t final... While I’m not looking back, I’m definitely thankful to the sponsors who’ve kept faith in us... I’m thankful to my business associates, like Jeet (Banerjee), too...

Frankly, when you made the investment, did you expect the IPL to make such a huge impact?

If you believe in something, go for it... Look, I’ve experienced enough successes and failures in the business part of my life... I don’t know number crunching... I’ve done things because I’ve believed in them and I’ve enjoyed doing them... I’m thankful that we’ve made money, but I’m not into numbers and figures... I see myself as a sportsman and sportsmen try to win... Of course, you can lose in sport, but you don’t have to be a loser... The other day, an interviewer asked whether I’d like the franchise to win or for it to make money. Obviously, if I had to choose, I’d like KKR to first win... I mean, that’s why I and the other co-owners have got involved.

But some did question your primary motive...

From the outside, yes, I’ve heard a lot of crap... ‘Shah Rukh does it because of this’ and ‘Shah Rukh does it because of that’... I know the reason why I’m doing this and my God knows why I’m into this... That is all that matters... There was no need for people to put the team down... Yes, we didn’t play well in the first two editions, but have put in everything to do better... The happiness didn’t go out of the team and we still partied with our friends.

For the past couple of months, you’ve been in the news almost everyday. There have been controversies over the IPL auction... Over My Name Is Khan...

(Laughs) That’s because I’m a superstar!

Accepted... But is there something you’ve learnt in this period?

If you’re going to do a good job in your field, then there will be a lot of people trying to (run one down)... I get 97 per cent goodness in my life everyday... I have more people (well-wishers) outside my house than I deserve... I have more benefits in my life than I deserve to have... I have more appreciation by way of awards, money, fame and name than I probably deserve... So, 97 per cent of it is good... If I’m going to lead my life by the three per cent, then... You’ve got to choose what makes you happy... It’s not a question of whether this period has taught me anything or not... I need to follow principles and I need to believe in what I’m doing... I don’t need to wear it on my sleeve... Don’t need to show off to people what I’m doing... From the outside, you can’t understand what I go through... Only I know that... Believe me, one gets numbed by success and failures.

What drives you?

The fact that I’m not sure I’ll get it right all the time. When I make a film, I don’t know whether it will succeed or not... I want it to, but don’t know...

When you start a venture, is there a fear that things may not work out well?

Why must your question be on what may not be right? Just because you don’t do well, to begin with, doesn’t mean that its worth has to be questioned. Sport is also about losing, it’s not only about winning... That being so, what’s wrong with losing? People say things from the outside and make money too! Last year, there was this blogger, who made money out of my team... A lot of people sit on the shoulders of those who’re famous and work relentlessly to make their own name. There are people who see the glass half empty, I see it as half full.

You’ve promised a change in KKR’s attitude. Will you spell it out?

I’d like the Knights to be like me... I want the players to be happy... Dada (Sourav) is instilling that... Work hard and have a good time... I enjoy the process of working hard and I want the players, too, to enjoy the process... Internal reasons, not external, contributed to the team’s attitude not being what it should have been in the first two seasons... I heard something about the coach, something about a communication gap, something about the multiple captains bit... However, we tried... We failed trying new things, we haven't failed trying the traditional things...

The Knights, you feel, should be like you... How would you describe yourself?

I cut out the negative things and look only at the positives.

Unlike in 2008, when the biggest signings from overseas left after a few matches, the top guns will be there for the critical stage of this year’s IPL. That must be making you comfortable...

I’d be happy to have all of them for the entire six weeks... That would be the ideal situation, but that isn’t always possible... It would, after all, be great to have choices right through the tournament... The IPL brass is working towards a window and I’ve been told something could indeed be done from next year.

Being candid is one of your strengths... At times, does it work against you?

After saying something, I realise I shouldn’t have said it. But the next morning, I get up and say the same thing. (Adds laughing) I can’t hold back. I speak my mind and I speak the truth... My children (Aryan, Suhana) are grown up and I wouldn’t lie to them... When my son’s 21, I wouldn’t like him to tell me that I’d lied... There are certain basic truths in life that we stand by... For example, I’m a Muslim and my (entire) family should know that... I’m not going to force my religion on them, they should love and embrace it, if they so wish... The only time that I may lie is when I don’t want to belittle anybody... That’s the one time I hold back.

The traits you’ve inherited from your late parents...

A lot of things, but patience and a sense of humour is at the top... If you don’t have patience, then you aren’t going to lead a happy life... As for having a sense of humour, it helps you deal with a lot of problems.

Finally, do you have long-term plans or are you actually a spur-of-the-moment man?

I don’t plan and I’m very disorganised... I do whatever I feel like doing at any given moment...

Back!

2010-03-09T18:34:00.000+08:00

I doubt anyone has noticed my absence, but here I am.. ready to conquer the world! Or the tiny space I have staked my name on, at least.

Shah Rukh is as busy as ever. You know how he always says he's 2 days late? Well, I feel as if I'm always 7 days behind him. By the time I get to watch on youtube the programs he's participated in, he's already moved on to something else. And he's very good at putting the past firmly where it needs to be. THE PAST.

Anyway, I may be back... but I doubt I can be as bubbly and babbling as before. Real life intrudes and this time in a major way, which was the reason why I closed the blog down sometime ago. Not that anyone realised it *cough*

It's a surreal place with Shah Rukh tweeting directly into my twittbox almost everyday. If you haven't become his 'follower' (man, I hate that word. I feel like I'm in some kinda cult..or something) you'd better start now. And with that, I'm off for the week! See you guys in the wonderful world of twitter!

Quote by Sanjay Leela Bhansali

2010-02-26T11:04:00.002+08:00

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/SRK-is-very-dramatic-in-real-life-Bhansali/articleshow/5610479.cms

And yet you work with privileged actors, superstars ...
Why? Nana Patekar is a very edgy character, Seema Biswas is very edgy. Salman for me is a very edgy person, he is not just a simple chocolate love story hero. He has got far more than that. Shah Rukh is very very dramatic in real life, very witty, wicked, sharp. They are not simple people in that sense. They are very charming, strange, temperamental stars. They are not easy people to work with at all. Amitabh Bachchan is an extremely powerful, power packed, edgy person.

interview with Farkhan Akhtar

2010-02-26T11:01:00.003+08:00

I take advice from SRK: Farhan

Farhan Akhtar More Pics

That's because he switches off his phone at night. 36-year-old Farhan Akhtar also admits to being unsociable when working and not liking romantic films unless they come laced with drama. All this and more about the man who redefines cool

There are all these rumours linking you to your Karthik calling Karthik co-star Deepika Padukone which the two of you protest at every opportunity. Are you not overdoing it?
Honestly speaking, I can only speak for myself. Initially I didn’t protest, I thought it would blow over naturally. But then it began to get awkward and in very bad taste and that is when I started protesting. Then one thing led to another and now again I am tired of protesting. I also feel that now that we are pretty much coming to the end of the promotion of Karthik Calling Karthik and you will see us spending a lot of time with other people as opposed to each other, it will blow over.

Do such rumours affect you a lot?
It’s important for me because it affects my family. It’s weird for me to answer to my nine-year-old daughter who sees something on TV or reads a headline in a newspaper. Children tend to stress about these things a lot more than we understand. When I wasn’t addressing the issue she couldn’t understand why I was denying something to her but not telling the rest of the world. So to me it was important to come out and talk about it.

My daughter couldn’t understand why I was denying something to her but not telling the rest of the world

What’s with this schizophrenic behaviour you display? You are usually a party boy but when you work, either when acting or directing, you become all reclusive and incommunicado?
The thing is, and most of the people I know also say this, I am an extremist. When I am working I don’t want to know about anything else. When I want to party, I don’t want to work. So when I go on a holiday, more often than not, I won’t answer my phone. I really have to be pushed to deal with work when I am on a holiday. Similarly when I am working on the script of a film, I really don’t want to go out, I don’t want to do things which are going to takeaway my energy from what I really should be focusing on.

What influences you and your work?
Having kids has made me more aware of life beyond myself. I am aware that my choices will affect them even when I am not around. That also affects my work because my sensibilities and aesthetics have changed. I have grown up with women predominantly and that has led to me having a very healthy respect for them in terms of the treatment of them. I have an allergy to women being shown in a crude light, to be shown in almost a sexist way. I have had these allergies in any case; it has got a little more underlined now with kids. When they see my films, I don’t want them to think that dad is doing anything cheap.

Do you think your dad’s (Javed Akhtar with Salim Khan) films reflected the same concern?
Salim uncle and my father had a healthy respect for women. But because while they were writing, there was a lot more formula cinema, it was a requirement of the story that they had to write in a vamp, which you don’t necessarily need to do anymore. If there was a villain, he had to have a vamp. Similarly when I write Don, I go back to that kind of writing, Don had Isha in his life. How we treat the character can be different from how molls and vamps were treated at that time. But when you go back to that kind of writing, it’s a different world and it’s a different sensibility of filmmaking but within that you still want to treat them with a certain dignity. You can’t caricature them and make them one dimensional.

For Don you had a blueprint of sorts to follow. How does Don 2 take the character forward?
For me, Don’s character hinges on his cunning and smartness and the fact that he is playing all the characters in the film and at the same time, he also plays the audience. So, to me, the challenge is to do that again. Of course, you can do great action sequences, you can have great songs, a wonderful looking and talented cast who everybody wants to watch. But this time round, there is now no format to follow. To me that was exciting and what I am focusing again on is how to take Don to almost level two. This film is more of a caper to me than an emotional journey.

And how many ‘mulk ki police’ will be looking for him in Don 2?
Now I think it’s the whole world. Only Antarctica aur Arctic ki police uske peeche nahi padi hai.(laughs)

Could you ever do a mush film? A romcom?
Very honestly I must say that the romcom is one of my least favourite genres, even to watch. There are some of course, which I do thoroughly enjoy but they are very few and far between. Personally, I prefer drama, action and thrillers. If it’s a romance I would much prefer a classic romance like a Romeo and Juliet which has drama in it.

You work with actors as a director and compete with them as an actor. How do you differentiate between the two?
The people that I have worked with are the ones that I am good friends with and I do spend a lot of time with. One is obviously Hrithik and the other is Shah Rukh. Hrithik and I have known each other for really really long. We have been friends from way before I decided I wanted to be in films (he kind of always knew he wanted to be in films). So my friendship with him is beyond actor-director, whatever.

With Shah Rukh, I really started hanging out with him post Dil Chahta Hai. I feel a certain kinship with him. We have similar joys in terms of technology, we jam on many things. And many a times he has been someone I have turned to for advice. He is someone I have almost started feeling over time, again without sounding cheesy, like an elder brother. I know for a fact, not that he has told me so, that he is someone I can really count on, if the need arises. Even if we choose in the future to not work together, we will still hang out, we will still be friends.

For me, Don’s character hinges on his cunning and smartness and the fact that he is playing all the characters in the film and at the same time, he also plays the audience

Today’s actors pay a lot of attention to body and hair, the externals basically. Yesteryear actors looked almost the same in every film but it didn’t affect the strength of their performance. Comment.
I completely agree and I think it should go back to being how it was. Because I think, we are slowly but surely working towards this perfect world that everybody should exist in, which is not true. If there is someone on screen who is even relatively chubbier, immediately reviewers say he needs to lose a couple of pounds. Why? Doesn’t someone who is chubbier have a right to fall in love with someone? I find it disturbing that we are trying to make a Utopian world where great looking people and great bodies fall in love and nobody else has a right to.

Anyone who is skinny or bald or has a stammer or is fat is relegated to being a comedian, a character who needs help. I find this really disturbing. Did anyone stop to question why people fell in love with Sanjeev Kumar? It’s a dangerous obsession because it’s going to start limiting talent that’s coming in.

OFF THE CUFF

Rate Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and yourself on a scale of one to ten on the following parameters

Communication skills
SRK - 15
Aamir - 10
Hrithik - 8 or 9
Myself - 5

Life of a party
It is difficult to rate this in numbers. SRK and Hrithik are very funny. Both of them love dancing so once the party kicks off, they are always dancing. Aamir is a lot more reserved. In all honesty, I haven’t partied with Aamir since Dil Chahta Hai
SRK - 10
Aamir - 5
Hrithik - 10
Myself - 8 or 9

Easy to direct
Honestly, they were all very easy to direct.
ALL - 10

Willing to admit to mistakes
Again, I think, I would give all of them 10 and that’s what makes them good at what they do. I know for a fact that I can be stubborn about certain things.

Emotionally giving
I spend a lot more time with Hrithik and Shah Rukh than I do with Aamir. So it will be really difficult for me to say anything about Aamir on this front.

Extempore speakers
SRK- 10
Aamir - 5
Hrithik - 8
Myself - 5

Aware of the world
All of us are pretty aware of what’s happening in the world around us, so I would probably rate them just up there. Even if we want to detach ourselves from what’s happening around us you media people don’t let it happen. There is no escape. So 10 on 10 for everyone

Be a 3am friend
My friendship is more with Hrithik and Shah Rukh than it is with Aamir. My relationship with Aamir is a lot more professional than personal so to put him into this equation feels very weird as it’s unfair to him.

SRK-10
Hrithik-10
Myself - 0
I switch off my phone when I sleep, I love my sleep. I think I don’t qualify for this.

Politically correct
SRK-3 or 4, mostly he says what he feels
Hrithik- 10
Myself- 7 or 8, I have the knack of saying wrong things as well

Spontaneous
SRK- 10
Hrithik- 8, He has changed a lot from what he was to what he is now

Animal Charm
SRK-10
Hrithik -10
Both of them are very attractive people.
Myself - I don’t know about myself (laughs) how do I rate myself on animal charm?

interview with KJo

2010-02-26T10:59:00.000+08:00

HOUR QUESTION

http://www.screenindia.com/news/hour-question/584442/

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Chaya Unnikrishnan Posted: Feb 26, 2010 at 1759 hrs IST

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Karan Johar for the first time speaks out on the MNIK controversy, the challenge of realistic cinema and going global Filmmaker Karan Johar, fresh from the success of My Name Is Khan visited the Screen office for a candid chat and bowled everyone with his charm and inimitable style.
Dressed casually in a black and grey T-shirt paired with a blue jeans, a Louis Vuitton bag, sneakers and a Blackberry, the ace director looked ready to take on the world, literally, what with MNIK opening new markets worldwide. MNIK, said Johar, has been the most creatively satisfying film for him. “It has challenged me and made me think out-of-the-box.”
From the pre-release controversies surrounding MNIK, his vulnerability during the release of Wake Up Sid to Kurbaan’s failure at the box-office, he patiently put to rest all queries we had. What’s more, he delighted us with info on his forthcoming film I Hate Luv Stories, which has Imran Khan playing an assistant director, Sonam Kapoor as a production designer and Sammir Dattani playing Karan Johar. Then there’s his popular chat show Koffee With Karan coming back with a third season on STAR World. And the juiciest bit of all, he conceded that with some persuasion from the Twitterati, he is ‘thinking’ of casting Shahid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in a Dharma Production film, adding that the pair has a huge fan base on the social networking site, which calls it ‘Shahika’.
A lot of ground was covered and an hour and a half went by in a jiffy courtesy his ready wit and loads of self-depreciating humour. For a snapshot of the fun and informative session, read on.
New age cinema
Karan Johar opens up on his changing perception of movies
“Everyone thought I had lost it when I said I wanted to make My Name Is Khan,” says Karan Johar as he begins the conversation. “I am all for bubblegum and candy floss. I have moved on. I shall be 40 soon and for me to do bubblegum and mush is a bit too much. I just feel that I can’t be bored while making my own film.”
Johar, in fact, wishes his audience to cry a bucket with the remake of Stepmom, which he admits, “is a chick flick.” “I do not have an understanding of horror or sci-fi so I won’t make those films. I am open to doing films about people in the real world be it edgy, alternate or anything else,” he offers by way of explaining the kind of cinema Dharma Productions aspires to make.
MNIK which is a step in that direction. But he defends his definition of boredom by saying that a little bit of ‘Karan Johar feel’ will always be there in all his films. “I can’t change my core self even if I try because it’s me. My influence will come up in the film. An SRK-Kajol mush moment will come only from me because that is what I am. But the chemistry between them is unusual. He is a man with a disorder and she is a divorcee with a six-year old kid. A lot of their chemistry has been taken from a real life couple who dealt with autism. We also borrowed an instance about two real life women who were the best of friends all thier lives and the repercussions of 9/11 on their lives. This film was everything I didn’t know and I had to be accurate with my research. Of course within that realm I will show off as a film maker.”
Going back to MNIK, which Johar claims is his “most creatively satisfying film”, he says people didn’t believe him when he said he wanted to make a film dealing with an issue like this. “Assistants used to come to work with me thinking there would be huge chandeliers, beautiful sets and picturesque locations. When I narrated the script of MNIK to them, I could see the disappointment in their faces. I remember Manish Malhotra’s disappointed face. He is so used to shopping for beautiful clothes for a month before the film starts that he was heartbroken there were just 22 changes. When Sharmishta Roy, my production designer and I were doing a recce in a lane at Kandivali we both burst out laughing when she said, ‘Karan, I don’t believe I am standing here with you.’”
Johar also believes that Aditya Chopra and he have been the only people (directors) who have witnessed the transition of the industry. Back in 2001 when his film Kabhie Khushi, Kabhie Gham was up for release, he wasn’t prepared to compete with Farhan Akhtar’s Dil Chahta Hai and Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan, two films that altered the meaning of cinema in the coming years. “When I was making K3G, I felt bad for Gowariker and Farhan because I thought who would want to see Aamir Khan in a dhoti playing cricket and a film about three friends, which apparently had no story. It was only when I came out of the theatre after watching Lagaan did I realise I was doomed. I was royally assaulted by both commerce and art. After that Anil Sharma’s Gadar came which again went on to become a huge success. That year was great in terms of different kinds of cinema. It gave more freedom to film-makers to portray whatever they wanted to on screen and get away with it.”
Sneha Mahadevan
Our conviction gave us courage
Just as MNIK was to hit screens worldwide on February 12, it got embroiled in a controversy. Karan Johar shares his views on the incident …
For Johar, “it was the toughest 10 days of our life.” Having worked on the film for three years, he says, “When the film lives with you for three years it literally becomes a member of your family. It consumes and absorbs you completely. And at the brink of the release of the labour of your love; when you see a roadblock of this magnitude, it was obviously very disheartening and sad. For us, it was emotionally tough.” Since Johar has only directed MNIK, he says monetary losses may not be his priority but he always looks at a project from the producer or a filmmaker’s point of view. Always one to go for the best irrespective of the cost, for Johar, it is all about creating that best moment “that is what leaves a legacy behind and so yes it was really tough for Shah Rukh Khan and me.” He however believes that there has to be some pay back for what the universe gives you, for trying to do something noble and human. “Today I am just happy that is over,” said the young filmmaker. His jovial mood reiterated this.
Johar applauded Shah Rukh for sticking to his stand. “It was very brave of him, for a lead protagonist of such a mainstream endeavour to play this character. It was a big film on a big scale, shot on a big budget with the lead character that has a disorder. And then everything was working against us. Eventually it was our conviction that gave us courage.
At a time when nothing was going right for the film, Johar says the support that they got from unexpected quarters was phenomenal. He even got encouraging phone calls and smses. This incident has brought the film fraternity closer, he reiterates. “However, there is a section that comes together and some that remains silent so we have to take it in the spirit.”
The young filmmaker recalls how, during the moment of crisis, both he and Shah Rukh stood by each other. “I was standing there holding his hand throughout. That was support enough. Now enough has been spoken about the issue, if we get into it further, it will be misrepresented. I don’t think we expected anything to get to this monumental level and we are happy it is over.”
Reflecting on how business affected the film during the release week, Johar stated that there was a definite loss of business in Mumbai and Maharashta. Looking at the scenario in Mumbai, many did not go to the theatres fearing political ramifications. “We lost the weekend. We lost out on a tremendous amount. People even did not venture to catch the paid-previews.”
Talking about the Wake Up Sid controversy, Johar said that after leading a sheltered life, he was suddenly exposed to the atrocities of the outside world. “When it happened to me the first time, I took an immediate call about the situation without thinking about the circumstances. The maker is more vulnerable and weak on a Friday. He just listens and follows what people around him tell him.” The filmmaker is of the opinion that he may have reacted differently today if faced with the same situation. It was the first time his film was embroiled in a controversy and he did not think objectively as ‘in the moment of crisis, one reacts impulsively. He however didn’t want to comment on whether what he did then was right or wrong or may be that the repercussions of that was the second event (MNIK controversy) happened. He however stated that, “They are two different circumstances. Two bad experiences and within a short span seem to have taught him a lot. “I am a different person today. It can be said that I am an older and wiser person post My Name Is Khan. I understood so much about the machinery, the industry and the people. I felt like I grew up 10 years in those 10 days. Now I have become more aware. My father was a crisis man. In such circumstances, he would know what to do and how to speak to people. I lost him when I was 32 and at that time I didn’t even know who my chartered accountant was. If my father was alive, it would have been a great emotional support for both Shah Rukh and me. We would have turned to him for everything and would have been more protected.”
Namita Nivas
MNIK, opening news markets
Apart from box office history, director Karan Johar’s latest directorial venture has also broken all geographical boundaries
The release is phased, each territory having a different release date, allowing the publicity storm to gather pace before releasing in a new area. MNIK, which premiered at the Berlin film festival “is the first global film to open up new markets across the globe,” according to Johar.
MNIK is reportedly being distributed in over 70 countries, presenting new distribution, and commercial opportunities for further releases.
MNIK met with astounding audience response in Germany. Germany has the third highest population of international migrants worldwide. Johar believes that “NRI people are far more Indian, far more traditional and far more conservative than any of us living here. It does not mean they are evolved and take anything that is modern”.
For Johar, “The diaspora audience is different in USA, UK and UAE and they react differently. You never know how things will work where. It has been fantastic. I see a lot of non Asian people venturing into cinema hall and it has been great.”
MNIK had its world premiere in Abu Dhabi, a decision taken by Fox. “When you have a big studio with you, you go with the flow,” said Johar. In the East, Bahrain has six prints, Qatar four, Kuwait four, and Egypt eight, although reports abound that 30 more prints have been ordered for Egypt, marking significant breakthroughs for Hindi cinema.
If replicated globally, this could secure Bollywood cinema in ‘non traditional’ reception areas. The film opened in Oman, on February 18. Previously, Bollywood films were released midweek before a weekend opening in India. It is to release in nine theatres in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, from March. MNIK will be dubbed into German and Turkish, and released with subtitles on 50 screens in Poland, ten times the amount for a Bollywood release previously. Johar previously called his work ‘a handshake’ between east and west and with the backing of Fox Star Studio. “It is opening many doors and windows. This has been possible because of Fox who has offices all across the world” said Johar. He said that the real impact of the film’s success will only be known by the end of 2010 after it releases theatrically across countries like Poland, Oman, Germany and Russia.
MNIK is the first Bollywood film to be carried by a major Hollywood studio for global distribution.
MNIK is cited by Johar, as an example of new age Indian cinema. MNIK is potentially a shift away from what those in the west tend to perceive as being a format of singing and dancing ‘escapism’, and is accompanied by an industry shift in distribution. MNIK was bought by Fox Star Studios for a reported Rs. 90.2 crore. “We wanted to put Indian cinema on the map and which is why we teamed up with Fox. I wanted people of all cultures and communities to understand that the film resonated the new age Indian cinema”, says Johar, “we are not the frivolous singing and dancing nation of movie makers. We are somebody who can project cinema soulfully, emotionally and relevantly”.
Ed Vollans
Music with a difference
Song and dance sequences, especially the hero-heroine lip-syncing to songs, are a quintessential part of Hindi films. Karan Johar on the changing role of music in today’s cinema
However, the concept is gradually changing and instead of lip-syncing, songs are now increasingly being played in the background. Even My Name Is Khan, that comes from Dharma Productions has few numbers in the film and that too in the background. Song and dance sequences, especially the hero-heroine lip-syncing to songs, are a quintessential part of Hindi films. Says Johar, “A man with autism can’t sing a song. You and I do not sing to each other. When we are talking about a film that is highlighting such a rampant, relevant problem we can’t break into songs. The first sequence of a film sets the tone. My film has the hero walking into an airport followed by his interrogation. When you have set this tone, you can do everything you want within that. I cannot have 100 dancers during Sajda dancing to choreographed steps. I cannot show a grand wedding and perfectly dressed people. Yes, the films of Guru Dutt and Hrishikesh Mukherjee in the past were also about real people and there would be lip-synched songs, but in that era it was a given thing that the lead artistes would sing. But now cinema has travelled beyond.
In fact, Rang De Basantiwas the best film that used music so well without a single lip-synced song. I think that this is the new way music will be used in Hindi cinema and though it is unfortunate, I definitely think that it is better in the long run.
“Frankly I do not see myself shooting a party song like in Kabhi Alvida... or a song in the mountains between the lead pair. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the music directors of the movie, were definitely surprised and disappointed when I told them that neither Sajda nor Tere naina will be filmed with lip-sync. But even Kajol singing to Shah Rukh would have made people laugh.”
Rajiv Vijayakar

"Living with a Superstar: Shah Rukh Khan" interview with the documentary maker

2010-02-26T10:49:00.000+08:00

http://www.cnngo.com/mumbai/play/shah-rukh-khan-reality-tv-374524

This week Discovery Travel & Living are releasing "Living with a Superstar: Shah Rukh Khan" a 10-part prime time reality television series on the unseen life of one of India's most influential contemporary icons.
Bollywood fans book your rehab session now, this is one slickly produced piece of celebrity voyeurism. Millions are expected to tune in across the nation and abroad to ogle at the enviable lifestyle of one of the planet's biggest superstars.
To do this the producers shadowed Shah Rukh accross four continents to film episodes that cover vacationing with him in London, one of his favorite cities; a personal tour of Mannat, his Mumbai castle and meeting the people who form the backbone of his day-to-day life; access to his home in Dubai; private time spent with his family; first-hand disclosures on the controversies, decisions and game plan for his Indian Premier League cricket team the Kolkata Knight Riders; an exclusive acting master class, where Khan deconstructs the art and technique of performance, as he sees it, and a whole lot of extra 'Shahrukhisms' that cover the actor's views on "living, loving, creating and letting go."

Raj K Gopalakrishnan, CEO Blue Mango films group.

You can bet Indians ranging from social anthropologists, to filmmakers, contemporary culture scholars to Bollywood critics and lifestyle commentators will be tuning in along with the fans in the hope of basking in the incredible success and fathoming the insane popularity of this Indian celebrity. On the eve of the televison premier, Raj K Gopalakrishnan of Blue Mango films (the boutique film production house which co-produced the series with Red Chillies Idiot Box) shares his personal and professional experience filming one of the most important Bollywood documentaries that's ever been made.

CNNGo: Following Shah Rukh Khan for a year is a job for producers with marathon stamina. Truth or dare?

Raj K Gopalakrishnan: This is a reality series, and true to the spirit of reality, we did not pre script or stage scenarios so the important thing was not to miss a moment. This meant long hours of shooting. No breaks. No rest. With SRK, it becomes exponential as he packs what feels like 36 hours into one day. We had to always be ready, alert and at peak performance levels. No matter how much we planned, six out of 10 times the plan would change with 10 minutes to two minutes notice. Like one time when we were shooting in London SRK was walking around and suddenly decided to hop on to a rickshaw. We had to quickly find another one for the camera (and pay a ridiculous amount to the driver) as the rest of the crew ran through busy London traffic without any prior intimation…but it was such a wonderful moment. Nothing was staged and there was this super duper star just roaming about in a rickshaw without a care in the world.

CNNGo: 'Living with a Superstar' was an ambitious project to conceptualize. How have you structured the episodes to cover this many aspects of SRK’s life?

On the sets of "My Name is Khan" with producer/director Karan Johar.
Gopalakrishnan: He gave us unlimited access, like nobody has ever been given before. So we decided to follow him across four continents and literally let the story tell itself. We shot with him in South Africa, Europe, America, UAE and India. We were with him, recording the trials and tribulations of the IPL. We were with him during the shooting of "My Name is Khan". We were also with him when he was vacationing in London with his family. We were in Mumbai. In his home. At his office. On his Birthday. We were everywhere he was. Literally living with the superstar… and that’s why we named the series that.
As for structuring the episodes a lot of the crafting happened during the post shoot brainstorming, on the edit table. Footage was brought to the table as soon as it was shot and this way we could keep a tight control over the quality and content as well as start iterations. It’s here that we decided to make the series structure thematic, instead of chronological, so that even if you see just one episode it would be one complete chapter from SRK’s life. Some of the themes are 'private vacation' from his time in London or 'Shah Rukh 24X7' the total workaholic and through these themes viewers will, for the first time, get an insider’s look at every facet of SRK -- actor, father, husband, friend, businessman and more.

CNNGo: How did your perception of your subject change during the making of this show?

On the job in a private jet.
Gopalakrishnan: SRK is such a good human being --- he has admirable integrity, is honest, straightforward, witty, very, very intelligent, professional, a thorough gentleman and a real family man. He’s been a revelation. He is also a workaholic, has an unflinching commitment to his work and does not see failure as an option. His charm and eloquence add to his persona. Contrary to popular belief, he is not pompous. I have seen him on the sets of movies and shoots. He immediately puts everyone at ease, and is a complete team player. I have never seen him lose his cool, but he does call a spade a spade. He is very quick to adapt to his surroundings and changes in the world at large. That is one of the reasons for his longevity as an economically viable investment for any producer.
But then you suddenly realise that his attitude towards life and work define him as a super-achiever not just a superstar. So, instead of being an actor, if he was in finance or sports or software I believe he would be at the zenith and that is my biggest perception change.

CNNGo: Tell us what happened behind-the-scenes.

Shah Rukh and wife Gauri on a dune buggy in Dubai.
Gopalakrishnan: Some of the craziest moments involved fans. No matter which part of the world we were in, fans managed to track down all our crew’s so called "secret spots". Once a bunch of 10 odd teenagers had travelled from another city to meet SRK. They surrounded our crew and refused to let us go. We had to keep talking to security and devise almost 10 exits from where we could get him out. It was like a cat and mouse game. Finally, we split the team in half and made a dummy team with an empty camera seem like they were the right crew. While we managed to get the shot and SRK out safely, the other crew actually came back with a few scratches and buttons ripped from their clothing trying to escape the fans.
Another time, we had fans reaching places with fake IDs, claiming that they were perimeter security assigned by fictitious local authorities and stating that they would have to confiscate the cameras or be with the crew to ensure SRK's safety! There were such incidents almost on a daily basis throughout the shoot.

CNNGo: What is your understanding of what it's like to be Shah Rukh Khan?

With children, son Aryaan and daughter Suhana.
Gopalakrishnan: It’s got to be tough. High pressure. Very demanding. Everybody has something to say about you. Even people who don’t know you have an opinion about you. And those who want to know you, perhaps have an ulterior motive or are simply star struck. Life is forever under the scanner and in a territory so fertile for rumours and slandering, there is a reputation to protect. More importantly, there is a family to protect. And given all this, I think he manages beautifully.
I think his family keeps him really balanced (he carries their pictures with him everywhere and they are the first things to inhabit his hotel room). He also has very acute business acumen. He has razor sharp intellect. Great oratory skills. He has charisma. He is savvy. He has vision. I think other than being a great entertainer, SRK would make a great leader for our country. That’s one role I would love to see him in…in real not reel life!
"Living with a Superstar: Shah Rukh Khan" premiers February 26 on Discovery Travel & Living, airing every Friday at 9pm IST.

Shah Rukh Khan speaks to masala.com in Abu Dhabi

2010-02-14T01:30:00.000+08:00

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by Sonali Raha

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picture: Rajesh Raghav/ITP Images

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Shah Rukh Khan is calm, smiling and ready with the words on the afternoon of My Name Is Khan’s global premiere in Abu Dhabi. The interviews are running a couple of hours late, but that doesn’t faze the Khan. He’s being asked the same questions over and over again and that doesn’t bore him either. In a one-on-one with masala.com, Shah Rukh talks about his hopes and fears and explains exactly what he means by being Indian.

Excerpts from the interview:

What are your hopes for ‘My Name Is Khan’, when it releases in India on Friday?

When you’ve worked for so long and hard on a film, we just hope that the film opens well, that the maximum number of people gets to see it. This is a dramatic love story that talks about goodness and honesty. I hope people will sit through the two and a half hours of it and come away satisfied and entertained.

I hope ‘My Name Is Khan’ is released smoothly in my city and that many people get to see it in the first days.

And your fears?

It is unfortunate that I cannot release the movie the way I want to in my own city. I feel sad. I want everyone to be able to go and see it in peace.

I have said, again and again, that if you have an issue with me, we can talk about it. This is not just my film. The livelihood of 300-400 people is dependent on it. Let it release well, let it run smoothly. I hope everyone concerned has the graciousness to let the movie release easily.

Everyone should be able to go and see the movie without fear.

I thank the government, the cops and everyone who has supported me. You have the right to have a different ideology, but you do not have the right to be aggressive about it.

You’ve said, ‘an actor is never brave on a Thursday’. A day ahead of your release, do you feel any different?

It’s only a Wednesday, so I’m still brave (laughs). Maybe tomorrow I will feel different. But truly, there is nothing else that I can say or do. May be one day I will look back upon this unfortunate incident and think ‘What I did was wrong’. May be I will think, ‘What I did was NOT wrong’. Anyway, there is no Pakistani player in the IPL, so that agenda is all over.

You’ve seen how, in the UAE, Indians and Pakistanis live and work happily together…

I have always been pro-relationship. Why would people want to beat each other? We need to come together, different countries, different cultures and build relationships. Even the most warring nations need to come together to talk.

How would you define being Indian?

Having freedom. Freedom to earn, to live, to breathe, to laugh, to cry, to talk. Freedom in every sense of the word. I am fortunate enough to belong to the generation who has seen some great leaders who are still in our politics. Economically, India is shining. But nothing will really happen if we’re not free. I want my kids to grow up in a country that’s free.

* Read the full SRK interview in Masala! magazine, on the stands on February 18.

No thermal underwear for Shah Rukh Khan

2010-02-14T01:19:00.001+08:00

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“Death before long johns. I am too macho for this.”

My kids are my best friends: Shah Rukh Khan

2010-02-13T23:11:00.000+08:00

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In an exclusive chat with Tarana on Zee Cinema’s 'Buzz of the Week', Shah Rukh Khan talks about his best friends and more…

The Badshah of Bollywood,Shah Rukh Khan bats some interesting questions on ZEE Cinema's 'Buzz of the Week'.

Tarana: How does it feel now that your movie is set to release?SRK:The release of the movie is like a daughter’s wedding day. While youhave taken real good care of her for a very long time and love herutmost, you have to let go of her one day. And all you could do is wishand pray that everything will go very well for her. Tarana: Doyou wonder what happened to all those actors like SuchitraKrishnamurthy, Gayatri Joshi etc who started their big screen journeyswith your movie? Are you in touch with them?SRK:Honestly I don’t feel responsible for launching any actor. I work formyself and I don’t want to take credit for any of their work. Deepikastarted her career with OSO and is doing very well now. If tomorrow shegoes ahead and wins Oscar awards, I wouldn’t want to take credit forthat. Having said that, I am very much in touch with Suchitra. Our kidsgo to the same school. Tarana: Who is your best friend?SRK: I could say that my kids are my best friends. I have a good time with them.Tarana: You have been recently writing on social networking sites…SRK:Yeah, honestly I never wanted to write or blog because I didn’t knowwhat to write. I have read celebrities who write on these sites and Ifind it extremely redundant and boring. Then Karan told me that it’simportant to blog because people want to know about the actor behindthe screen.Tarana: You recently got a migraine problem…SRK:My character in my movie needs to keep my eyes in a particular angleand with a blank look for which I had to stretch my eyebrows and keepthem stuck upwards physically. I stretched that look for hours duringthe shoot and got so used to it that I started doing it even when Iwasn’t shooting. Tarana: There was a snake on the sets…SRK: Therewere rumours on the set that there are snakes around. I was very scaredof them but didn’t want others to panic so I kept quiet. But who knewit was going to come in the water tank I was shooting in.

Fan frenzy at film’s first official screening

2010-02-13T22:41:00.000+08:00

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by Sonali Raha

Shah Rukh Khan on the red carpet in Abu Dhabi on Feb 10

picture: Rajesh Raghav/ITP Image

The 1,000-odd people crammed into the foyer of the Emirates Palace auditorium greeted the star cast of “My Name Is Khan” with screams and claps, as the movie had its world premiere in Abu Dhabi last night (Feb 10).

Walking the narrow strip of the red carpet first were sponsors, studio bosses and the crew. The crowd grew restless, chanting ‘Shah Rukh, Shah Rukh’, as the wait lengthened. The chants subsided only when Karan Johar and Kajol walked in.

“We’re thrilled to be here, to be showing our movie in Abu Dhabi for the first time. Hope you like it as much as we enjoyed making it,” Karan Johar told the media lining the rope.

K-Jo was wearing his own collection, while Kajol glowed in a red and black Manish Malhotra sari. “Thank you so much for having us here,” she said, again and again.

The director and the heroine of “My Name Is Khan” shook hands and signed autographs with their fans, before moving into the auditorium.

A few minutes of silence and then a roar from the crowd. We knew Shah Rukh was on the red carpet. Very smart in a Karan Johar creation, he stopped at every media cluster to talk and shake hands. “I feel sorry that my movie may not get the opening it deserves in my own city. But I hope and pray it all works out,” he said.

Shah Rukh bent down to hug a little girl right in front of me and then the frenzy began. The fans flooded into the area reserved for the media and begged him for autographs and pictures. He obliged, for as long as he could, before he was ushered into the imposing auditorium.

Inside the theatre

Once inside, the same fans greeted K-Jo, SRK and Kajol with roars of approval as they went up on stage to say a few words ahead of the screening of “My Name Is Khan”.

“I may sound shaky and scattered because I am really nervous. This is the first official screening of my film,” Karan Johar said. “It is a part of my heart. A part of the heart of every team member… I’m proud to have the film flagged off in Abu Dhabi.”

“This is the finest piece of role, character, that anyone has written for us,” said Shah Rukh Khan, thanking K-Jo for letting him and Kajol be a part of “My Name Is Khan”.

“I hope you like the film. And even if you don’t we’re not returning the money,” he said, triggering laughter and claps among his fans.

The movie

As the reviews have said repeatedly, “My Name Is Khan” is a deeply moving and powerful film. Director Karan Johar has gone on record to say he has stepped out of his comfort zone in this movie. And that is evident.

There are no songs and dances; there is no colour-co-ordinated world and there are no overly-emotive scenes. A taut story of alienation, isolation, deep grief and ultimate triumph, “My Name Is Khan” uses the background of 9/11 brilliantly to tell the very personal story of Rizwan Khan, a Muslim man with autism in America.

SRK, as expected, is brilliant, under emoting instead of over emoting, as he usually does. Kajol actually outshines him in certain scenes. The support cast, particularly Zarina Wahab and Pravin Dabbas, were excellent as well. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music, subtly used, helped convey emotions the way words couldn’t have.

The movie could have been half an hour shorter though, and it is definitely not a watch for children.

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Quotes

2010-02-13T22:35:00.003+08:00

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On shooting a love story in America with a backdrop of terrorism

SHAH RUKH: I have shot several films in America. This film needed to be made in America. The only feeling I had was that it was cold in LA> I used to say to Karan (during the shoot) “Why are we here?” - its very important for the look of the film. Because he has travelled right across America but we shot in an around LA and even in Mumbai where we had a beautiful set. I will be very honest, we didnt have an agenda/issue to make a film but we had a very strong feeling to make an entertaining film. There is glamour in the film ; but it is in a different way...no set pieces. Will we be able to tell you the story we want to tell you in an entertaining way? I did a lot of research on Aspergers and religion so that we dont say the wrong thing. Whenever an incident of such proportion happens which is not good for mankind its going to affect a person in Indonesia, India...its the buterfly effect The film is about the effect on two people - how real lives are affected by people who are not involved in any which way. we never went in with an agenda...
There is a beautiful line in this film (without giving away the story!) “Mankind has measured time in BC and AD ..” a third way has been added now ...pre/post 9/11. Its a sad comment but it exists and we need to address an issue if we believe in it and thats how I felt.

On being stopped at Newark Airport in August - a publicity stunt?

SHAH RUKH: (laughs) Kajol and I tried when coming out from New York. We saw them and said “arrest us, Arrest us!”
KARAN: Oh yes and Obama is on my speed dial!

'Jai Maharashtra', says SRK's wife after My Name Is Khan release

2010-02-13T22:06:00.001+08:00

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Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri, who is also the co-producer of My Name Is Khan, today said that the film has released all over Maharashtra.

Gauri, who visited the Inox multiplex in South Mumbai with her daughter Suhana told reporters that she was overwhelmed by the response from the audiences.

"What is the better way than saying 'Jai Maharashtra'. We love Mumbai and Shah Rukh is really excited and will be coming to the cinemas tomorrow to meet his fans" she told reporters here.
Gauri also said that Shah Rukh who is in Berlin for the premiere of the film, was excited that My Name Is Khan released smoothly.

She also visited another theatre Metro cinema in South Mumbai and interacted with the audience.
Gauri was quick to put down speculation that the good response received by the film was due to the controversy generated on the eve of its release.

"People have liked the movie not because of the controversy. Karan (Johar) and his team worked hard. The film was in the making for three years. Their efforts have paid off," she added.
Mumbai Joint CP (law and order) Himanshu Roy said that till last night, 40 theatres in the city had begun screening the film.

The release of the film was opposed by Shiv Sena following Shah Rukh's comments favouring the inclusion of Pakistani players in IPL 3.

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Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri defied the Shiv Sena threat and stepped out to see Bollywood superstar's film My Name Is Khan at a local theatre on the opening day of its release.

Braving the threats: Gauri Khan outside Fun Republic on Friday

Gauri, 39, who broke her silence in the tense Shah Rukh-Shiv Senastand-off, said her husband is "very happy" with theinitial response tothe film after remaining "sad" yesterday following the controversy overthe release of the eagerly awaited picture.A co-producer of the film herself, Gauri urged cinegoers to catch up with the movie saying it is a "beautiful" picture."He(Shah Rukh) was very very sad yesterday but today he is very happy thateverybody in Mumbai and all over India has come to watch his film.Karan (Johar) is with him by his side, supporting him. We are veryhappy," Gauri said. Karan Johar is the director of the film."It is a beautiful film and everybody should watch it. At times like these, peace is the most important thing," she added.

Shah Rukh Khan: Love will keep us alive...

2010-02-13T21:50:00.000+08:00

Feb 12, 2010 - 05:15 PM

(Excerpts from the interview)

What drives him even today?
I think this frenzy of work is not a necessity; it is a way of life. It is like breathing. You never see someone specially sitting down and breathing, you just breathe. Stop it and you will die. I really believe acting is spiritual. I’m happiest when I’m working. Everything that is good in me comes to the fore when I’m acting.

So why did you get onto Twitter?
Karan and I were chatting one night when he asked me why I wasn’t on Twitter. He insisted I sign up and I did. Karan tweeted about this and we instantly had some 900 followers. Frankly, I was a little overwhelmed. The problem with a courteous person like me is that when people say ‘hi, how are you, so glad to have you here’ the least I’d like to do is to thank them. The next day Karan said I had 2000 followers. I didn’t know what to say. The idea was not to talk about the film, though to be honest, they did ask. But film promotion will be film promotion. It will be done. But I’m not on Twitter to put up thought-provoking statements and have people comment on them. It’s a platform to say hello. Yes once or twice I may comment on an issue like I did on hockey but basically it’s to interact with people. I feel odd talking about my movie on Twitter. I could keep at it the whole day because there are 1200 people coming in per minute. But I don’t want that. I want to take it to a level where I can create a more entertaining platform on the Internet.

How do you cope with the frenzy?
Everyone is frenzied. I’m not doing anything special. Earlier, I used to do an interview with you, you used to write it. There was a gestation period and then the magazine would be on the stands. Now I say ‘Hi’ on a channel and it’s beamed right away and people call you to say they saw you on the channel today. And I’m like I haven’t even finished my interview yet. Like it happened on my birthday, I finished an interview with one channel. Before I could do an interview with another channel, I started getting calls saying ‘We saw your interview’. Like I’m talking to you now. It will be tweeted ‘Hey I met Shah Rukh’. The information is out. The pictures are already out. So one piece has gone out even before its release. Already people know that Shah Rukh and Kajol are doing an interview for Filmfare, the shoot was great fun. Some where down the line you will have to add incentives to give information to people. Most information all around is the same, so the incentive here will be Shah Rukh and Kajol come together on Filmfare after nine years. You have to create an event. And what’s going to happen with this is that the enigmatic quality of stars will slowly fade. And I’m very happy about that.

Kajol says that even though you have a larger-than-life aura about you, when someone meets you, you are completely humble.
See, things came to me so plentifully that it’s made me shy almost to the extent of being embarrassed about acknowledging it. Like when you meet a really, really good looking person, sometimes that person shies of his good looks. He’s embarrassed about the excess he has. I tell two things to people depending on my mood and my rapport with that person. To someone like Kajol I will say that I am great enough to be humble. But if I say the same thing to someone else they’ll ask me how can you say you are the best? So I tell them I am not great enough to be humble. Thankfully, I have a good sense of humour so I cover up the things that have happened to me with a wicked sense of humour or humility that neutralises the star aura. They say your aura precedes you. And your aura should be able to make people feel intimate with you. It should not intimidate. Your aura should be such that when you meet a person, you should come back feeling elated and should want to meet him again. I remember cricketer Imran Khan got angry with me once and that left a hole in my heart. I was a kid and my mom took me to a match. I stood there for his autograph but he had an off day so he was generally screaming at everyone in sight. So it happened that while asking for his autograph I stood in the line of fire and he yelled at me. I held that against him for the longest time. Then as a grown up and as a celebrity myself, I met him, I chatted with him and I told him about the incident. He said that the team was losing, the pressures of captaincy were all reasons for the incident. Imran Khan was my God but I was shattered that day. I would never have done that myself. I’ve never been angry with a fan. You see I make fans wait, sometimes for hours and sometimes for years. But I believe if you are not worth the wait, you are not worth the stardom. I can never make a fan wait and then let him leave disappointed.

So what does stardom mean to you?
Stardom for me is not the screaming crowds, but the time when I walk out and the fans make way for me. Many years ago, when ABCL was gaining attention, I went to meet Amitji at the ABCL office in Juhu. I was a big star too. I’d had Baazigar, Darr and Dilwale… I walked into the office and people were lined up outside in thousands waiting for Amitabh Bachchan to meet Shah Rukh Khan. I went in, finished the meeting and out of courtesy Amitji came to drop me to the door and I got to know, he was leaving as well. So out of courtesy, I asked him to go first. The thousands lined outside were shouting and howling. Amitji, got into his car and as soon as the car moved a few inches, the crowd quietly parted and made way for him. Then my car came out and people were falling all over on the car, thumping on the windows and pulling at the handles. It is then I realised what true stardom is. Great stardom is when you are able to calm screaming people as you walk in.

Okay, what do you expect from My Name Is Khan?
It is a good story to tell. I have issues with the way it is told. But I have come not to trust my instincts on these things. In the past, my perceptions about what will work and what will not have been thwarted so many times that I have started questioning my own judgment on these things. There are portions in MNIK I think are not right. Like I felt there should have been more fun, but Karan wanted it to be more dramatic. Yes there were these minor differences but I also think it is one of the finest roles ever given to me. And from the bottom of my heart I thank Kajol for doing this movie with me. The strange thing is every film that Kajol has done with me, Dilwale..., Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, I have felt that the film was written for Kajol and not me. Karan has also told me that I wrote the film for Kajol and you managed to do well. But this film I can genuinely say was written only for me. And I believe this film wouldn’t work if Kajol were not so brilliant in it. I can take my performance and hang it anywhere, even on top of the Eiffel Tower but people will still first notice Kajol’s performance. Sometimes in the film, the mirror character to the protagonist needs to be strong to make the protagonist look stronger. In MNIK, what Kajol has done is brilliant. Even Karan Johar is brilliant. It doesn’t look like a Karan Johar film. I’d keep telling him, kuch alag banate hain but now he’s made it so different that even I am scared. I am glad Karan took things so seriously and put the money where his mouth is and made a big film which is different. Making a film like MNIK in Rs 6 crore is an okay feat, but to make it in Rs 80 – 90 crore is a bold decision and it takes a lot of guts. When I see the film I feel Kajol and Karan have joined hands to promote me. It’s like a whole set of people have gotten together to make Shah Rukh act in a role he’s never done before. Everyone is thrilled at what I have done. It really is a showcase for what I could possibly do as an actor. I think once and for all, people will stop saying that yeh banda acting nahin karta hai. And if they still say it, then I’ll accept that mujhe acting aati bhi nahin hai.

Did you feel the chemistry while working with Kajol after nine years?
People talk about the chemistry between us. I’ll tell you what the chemistry is. Whenever I’m giving a shot, Kajol looks at me and she’s only watching whether I’m doing it nicely according to her. And I’m only watching if she’s doing it nicely. Invariably, whenever Kajol and I have asked for a retake, it’s because Kajol has turned around and said no I think Shah Rukh can do much better, or I’ve said Kajol can do much better. She’s one of the few actors I’ve worked with who’s observing my acting more than hers. And I’m observing her more than myself. There’s a strange concern for each other. After she saw MNIK she was relieved that I’d done well. Just as I was relieved that she’d done well. We’re responsible for each other’s performance in a film. That’s the chemistry between us. One day she was very cold and wasn’t doing the scene well. So we said let’s pack up. I’ve never met an actor who’s come and said sorry for mucking up the shoot. I found that very sweet. Kajol doesn’t have to say ‘Sorry ya’. I’ve worked with actors who should be just sorry that they’re acting. But Kajol comes and says sorry. I’ve never said sorry to a director. I know she’s bothered that I hope this is a big film for Shah Rukh. And I’m like if she isn’t planning to do another film for two years then I hope this is the nicest film she’s done. I always wish nice for my film. But I don’t know how many times I’ve wished nice for someone else in the film. It’s this niceness that comes across as chemistry.

(For the full explosive interview by Anuradha Choudhary, get your hands on the Filmfare issue dated February 17, 2010)

Quote of the Day

2010-02-13T20:52:00.002+08:00

"The most amazing thing about the fans in Germany is that they are very gentle. Often fans can be aggressive, but here their love has a softness, gentleness, it is huggable. A girl asked me for my autograph, and when I told her I was late for a press conference, she immediately withdrew her hand. I don't call them fans because that would be one-sided and I love them as much, they are family," Shah Rukh said.

(Berlinale 2010)

Shah Rukh Khan talks about MY NAME IS KHAN

2010-02-13T20:19:00.000+08:00

CalcuttaTube

Washington, Feb 7 (Calcutta Tube) It has some religion, a bit of politics and it’s set in the backdrop of a world shaking event, but for Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan his latest venture is not so much about Islam post-9/11 as it is entertainment.

The film is mainly entertainment,’ Shah Rukh said in a lengthy interview with IANS over the phone from New York on a trip last week to promote his new film, ‘My Name Is Khan’ (MNIK), releasing in the US Feb 12.
‘If some issue is taken back home, I always tell people if they can take back a little more than an empty pack of popcorn, that’s interesting…that’s an added advantage to an entertaining film.’
‘Shah Rukh, who plays a Muslim Indian with Asperger’s syndrome living in the US, finding his marriage to a Hindu single mother (played by Kajol) crumbling post-9/11, wouldn’t agree that it’s the Islam angle that is grabbing the most attention in the US.

‘A film normally deals with lots of issues, comedy, or it’s a tragedy or a serious film or a dramatic love story like ‘…Khan’ is meant to be,’ he said. ‘If one starts talking or deciding on issues before a whole film is seen, it’s kinda not right to do, specially as a filmmaker.

‘Normally, a film is more than the sum of its parts. It’s not like it’s a love story, it’s got a Karan Johar touch to social cinema, it has an angle of religion, it also has a part of politics, it has a world-shaking incident as a backdrop, it also has a lot of sweet songs. It combines all that.

‘To me as a filmmaker, or part of a film, any aspect of the film can only be decided once one has seen the
whole film. But there’s no denying that there is an aspect of religion in the film.’
Nor would Shah Rukh look at this and other recent Bollywood films about the fate of Indian Muslims in the US post-9/11 as an effort to redress any negative images people may have formed about Islam over the last nine years.

My Name Is Khan

‘Films normally are for entertainment. One doesn’t really make a conscious decision to make a statement with it. Within entertainment, if a statement gets made, it’s really nice for a filmmaker. ‘You know, maybe ‘3 Idiots’ talks about education, but it’s an entertaining film. Similarly ‘Chak De! India’ talks about patriotism, but it’s a sports film.

‘You can have issues related in a film, but when filmmakers of commercial proportions like Karan, myself and Kajol and all get together, it’s not to highlight an issue because it’s too expensive as a commercial venture to make a film about an issue and not entertain.’

To Shah Rukh, ‘the most interesting part of the fact as an actor is that I’m playing a character who’s got Asperger’s. It’s also not in any which way to show it in a light which is not nice…but for an actor that’s a great thing to do, you know, to play a (person with a) disorder like this which very few people know about.’
‘Hopefully, I’ll be able to convince people about it when they see (the film). I don’t think at least commercial filmmakers from India really make a big-time film which is localised or even localised by an international issue,’ he said.

‘Commercial we will only know once the film releases,’ said Shah Rukh when asked if MNIK isn’t one of Karan Johar’s least commercial offerings so far.

‘…Yes, the only thing it has amiss is big set dance pieces, but we just felt with the disorder we were dealing with, it would look very unrealistic for the character Rizwan Khan to indulge in dancing of the order of we normally see in a Hindi film of Karan’s, or you might have seen earlier.

‘Except for that, I think the venture is extremely commercial,’ he said.

‘In the last five years, there’s a whole paradigm shift as to what people accept as a commercial film,’ Shah Rukh said describing it as ‘Karan’s evolution from making and keeping up with the trends of new commercial cinema in India and elsewhere’.

On professional challenges he faced during its filming, Shah Rukh said it was a ‘very difficult’ character to play. ‘If I was to just put it simply, it’s very seldom that I’ve really gone ahead and played a character which exists in real life.

‘And whenever you’re dealing with a disorder or a near…atypical situation, the first thought is that the sort of parameters you have to set that in no which way you are derogatory or deriding the disorder.

‘You have to make the protagonist very proud of what it is. The second part is you have to come as close to reality in depicting that characterisation and so one had to study a lot and one does get worried…’
But a couple of people affected with the same disorder who were shown the film had told them ‘…it’s a great portrayal, it’s very close to someone with this kind of disorder’.

‘Of course, having said that, I have taken a few cinematic liberties with it, because I’ve used three or four traits which may not exist simultaneously in one person and tried to create one character who has Asperger’s, called Rizwan Khan.’

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)

Shah Rukh Khan interview

2010-02-13T19:56:00.002+08:00

Source

Time Out caught up with Shahrukh Khan at the Emirate’s Palace hotel. Here’s what he had to say

Two things catch your attention when you come face to face with Shahrukh Khan. The first is his build. He’s not a big man. In fact, he’s positively wee.

It’d be nice to write that he makes up for this with huge charisma, but that’s not immediately obvious either.

When he steps out of the lift and brushes past at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace hotel, he’s only instantly recognisable by his hair.

His hair, of course, is the other attention grabber. It’s immaculate – each strand seemingly grafted into place, as though he borrowed it all from his Madame Tussaud waxwork replica.

It’s also the reason, we suppose, that he’s two hours late for our meeting. Having eaten all his sandwiches while we waited, he’s just in time to catch us at our sleepy best.

We have our backs covered, though. As he reaches out to shake hands, apologising for his tardiness profusely and exuding his legendary graciousness and charm, we explain that we are merely vessels for today’s interview.

The questions have been posed by the good readers of Time Out Abu Dhabi. He smiles and sits back, adjusting the Time Out dictaphone to ensure we catch every pearl he cares to offer. Thankfully, there are a few.

At home are you like a normal father? Do you shout at your kids if they get low marks? Disha Dadlani
I am a very normal father, but I’m a normal father who is a little guilty that he doesn’t spend enough time with the kids, so when I do, I pamper them. But I’m very strict with studies because I truly believe that there is nothing better than education, so I teach them. Earlier they were very excited because I guess mum kept saying, ‘study, study, study,’ and I started teaching them in a fun way. But now I’m very strict when I’m teaching, and now they know that. So when they want to study hard, now they come to me if they have something that they know needs strictness. So they are very well trained now.

I never shout at anyone. I never get angry with anyone, actually. Once in a year I get angry, so I try not to do it with the kids. What sets me off? The silliest of things. I think it all just collects, and one fine day just the colour of somebody’s coat [strokes Time Out’s assistant’s red coat, which she offers to remove]...[laughs].You know, some small thing can trigger it off, but it’s all pent up there. About six or seven years ago I stopped getting angry because I think it’s not worth it, and you feel bad, and you want to say sorry, and you spend too much time socialising... I like to be alone and reclusive, and I feel worse. So I don’t get angry. With the kids I never, never, never get angry, and they both know that. Yeah, I spoil them a lot, but I’m like a regular father. Very regular.

How do you cope with the challenges that you face as a superstar or a film actor in general? Rekha Dayalal

You see, I’ve never thought of myself as a superstar. I keep it very simple and basic. I wake up in the morning and the only odd thing that I do is that I’m 44, I’m a man, and I wear makeup to work. That’s the only odd thing that I do. Otherwise, it’s so simple and basic. I get very excited if I get that one shot right. The days that I get it wrong, then I’m looking forward to the next one, so that I can make sure I get it right. The days I get it right, I’m looking forward to seeing if I can repeat it again. It’s very simple and strangely straightforward. I’ve never thought of the frills of stardom, though I enjoy it. I love being a star. I understand the demands on my time by people when I meet them. I’m happy to do that. I enjoy a lot of alone time, which I get when I need to. But I have no issues as a star.

Too many people? I love it. I like people being around when I’m outside or when I’m working in a public place, which is most of the time. I don’t have issues at restaurants because I don’t go to restaurants. Whenever someone says, ‘Don’t you like the simple things in life, like walking on the beach?’ I say, ‘No. If I want a beach I’ll buy one [laughs].’ It’s as simple as that. As an actor there is no challenge. I don’t of it as work, so I don’t think of it as a challenge. I think of it as play and enjoyment. Many times I’ve told my wife that I must be the most overpaid for just playing what I like to play. So it is really strange.

What is your take on Thackery? Do you plan to meet him and apologize as demanded by him? Raphy John

I have no issues meeting Mr Thackery or his son. I’ve met them. I know them personally. They are very gracious and very kind whenever they meet me. But on this issue I have nothing to explain or say sorry for. It’s an ideological difference. It’s not a stand, as people think. It’s not even a matter of principle. It’s just plain, basic truth. I can’t be explaining my nationality, my credibility as an Indian, because I’m very proud of it and I’m very confident of it. And if it has been misconstrued or misinterpreted by them, I think I’ve clarified it enough times whenever I’ve spoken about it.

So the reason I won’t apologise is not because I don’t want to apologise, it’s because I don’t see any reason to apologise. If I were to ask them, ‘what do you want me to say?’ I’m sure, because they are good thinking people, they’ll say, ‘I dunno.’ This becomes an issue as far as politics is concerned, and I’m not a politician. I’ve never taken stands and I don’t intend to now. But somewhere in the whole noise this has got lost and become an issue. If you just go back to where it started from, there’s nothing to it at all. And I think of it like that. But I guess in politics a lot happens from very little. And I’m not participating in that. I really have no point of view. It’s a matter of really not knowing what to apologise for, and I don’t think there is a reason for it. But I’d meet them whenever they say. I’ve met them often before, but we never had an ideological discussion. We’d sit down and chat about photographs, caricatures, books, which I’ll do whenever I’m called upon to.

I would love to be an extra in one of SRK's movies - how can I do that? Diane Hagan
Anyone who acts with me is always an extra! The film is always about me! [Laughs] I’m joking. I don’t know. I think we have a union there like they do in every film industry. You need to register with it, then you just hope and pray that you get picked up according to the kind of role he or she will fit. But there is no way I can assure it. I stay away generally from the casting of my films, from the principle actors to anyone, because I’ll have a bias for a lot of actors and actresses that I’m very fond of, so I’ll leave it to the director completely.

You have attempted to converge the sensibilities of varied regions like Delhi, Mumbai, London and New York into a film that will be of international appeal? Was this the aim? Deepa Rajan
You see, I’m not really responsible for this because it’s Karan’s story, and Shibani Bathija’s. They worked really hard on it. I think the story deals with issues that are actually universal rather than London, New York – though we don’t touch upon London, really, or New York – the film is set in LA and San Francisco! But it’s across America and parts of India, where it starts, because the character starts from there.
But one didn’t set out to make a film about X, Y, Z regions or countries or nations. The subject is such that it’s very universal, so it touches Japan also, China also, Mongolia also, Timbuktu also. Because it’s about humanity, which I guess kind of covers the whole...thing [laughs]. It was never something intended for any one person. Obviously, whatever film we make in India we are always hoping, whatever level it is, that our films are liked internationally. That aspect is there for every film we do. But I don’t think this subject has been chosen with that in mind. The subject was chosen for its inherent quality of what we want to say in this film.

Now that you’ve achieved your status as King Khan, where do you see yourself going next? Aparna Chadha
Well that’s very kind, but you know, I’ve worked for 20 years now, I think, and everybody asks me, ‘Have you achieved all that you wanted to?’ Of course, if you ask that differently, it’s, ‘What else do you want to do to achieve what you want?’ I always say, and it sounds a little philosophical, that I’ve never kept an end line to success. Success is very subjective. If I was to count my success, I was successful on the day I landed in Mumbai and could afford to rent a house. I was homeless, parentless, jobless. I got married and looked after my sister. I rented a house after marriage and I could pay for it. It means I was successful. I’d started life. So, it’s always already achieved. I have a good family now and if I look back [I’ve been successful] many times over. I don’t have an end for success.

I don’t think that if I get 17 awards and X amount of money, or that amount of houses, or that amount of films that I do – these kind of fine rules – I’ve never thought of it like that. All the titles attached to me – they are very kind. You know, they call me ‘Bacha’ or ‘King’, and it sounds really nice, but it’s something I don’t really believe in. If I was to believe in all that people say, then I have to take the good and bad, and I feel both of them are exaggerated. So I’m not as great as a king, and I’m not as bad as some people say. I’m somewhere in the middle. I have a huge amount of respect for people who like me.

Can I, though my work, show my gratefulness for all that you’ve given me? This is said with a lot of humility and genuine recognition of the fact that I am nobody – king, or whatever. I’m just Shahrukh. I’m very humbled, and I feel very responsible – though not in the sense of doing the right thing; responsible in terms of giving the right entertainment. Making people happy. There’s a thing that I have in my heart, which I believe: the most beautiful sight in the world is to see people smile. And the only thing that is better than that is if you are the reason behind that smile. So I really work hard to watch that. When I had just started, when I was very young, I had just started a TV series. The first two episodes had come on television. I didn’t know the power of the media.

This mother and her daughter were passing me and they just started smiling. They didn’t even know my name. Actually, the series was so new they didn’t even know my character’s name. They just started smiling. And I felt so happy, I went and told my mum. She said, ‘What did they say? Did they ask for an autograph?’ I said, ‘No, nothing.’ I really believe that, more than the autograph or anything people say to me, it’s the smile. If I can do that – which I’m noticing even now – I can meet people in a smile. I ought to just stand there on the screen and smile? That’s a good idea. I’ll tell the next director that the fans want me to stand there and just smile!

My Name is Khan is on general release in the UAE from Thursday, 11 February 2010
By Jon Wilks
Time Out Dubai, 11 February 2010

Shah Rukh on “My Name is Khan’ Role: ‘There’s Nothing Heroic About It’

2010-02-13T08:02:00.001+08:00

Source

Early in his film career, Shah Rukh Khan made a risky choice to play negative roles in the 1995 films “Darr” and “Baazigar.” It turned out to be an artistic breakthrough for Khan, who soon found himself center-stage in the world of Hindi cinema.

Today, he stands poised at another artistic breakthrough — making his debut on the global stage with his first film to be distributed by a major Hollywood studio, when Fox Searchlight Pictures releases Karan Johar’s “My Name Is Khan” Feb. 12 in American theaters. And true to form, Khan has done it with a markedly unconventional role.

Khan plays Rizvan Khan, a Muslim Indian man with Asperger’s Syndrome. Like many people with the disorder, Rizvan can’t grasp irony and takes people’s comments absolutely literally. He falls in love with Mandira (Kajol), a Hindu woman with a young son, and when tragedy strikes their family in the fallout after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, Mandira shrieks an ultimatum to him in a grief-fueled rage. Rizvan takes her demand literally, and decides to travel across the United States on a mission.

On the way, Rizvan comes across a hurricane-ravaged small town in the American south, where he finds he can make a difference and help others.

“Actually, the idea was to take a character who is considered by many to be less than ordinary — normally, we make films about ordinary people who do extraordinary things — and then let him do just ordinary things which would look huge for a person with this kind of disability,” Khan told India-West from New York Feb. 2.

“He does very small things along the way, meeting small obstacles, and he crosses them with a simplicity that’s very endearing. One of the aspects is that he’s made friends in a small town that was hit by a hurricane and he helps people out in the most simple way. There’s nothing heroic about it.

“We just wanted you to feel that just doing that much is enough: to be a good human being. That’s the message that comes across.

“You don’t need to be a superhero with super powers. The only super power you need is humanity. Just goodness. He’s helping people as his journey progresses in different places: he helps a prostitute fixing the heel of her shoe, from that to rebuilding somebody’s tractor, to just helping a little kid who’s gotten hurt on his knee. Small bits, but they seem very important the way we’ve done it in the film.”

Khan feels that Karan Johar’s filmmaking style will be welcomed by American audiences.

“What we have tried to do is to not just try and tell a story from Indian angle or from the way we narrate stories, but to try and speak the language the Western world is used to,” he said.

“The subject matter is rather topical and it’s a love story — which always has a universal appeal — and being shot in America, and having portions of the film spoken in English, helps remove barriers, too. It’s not such a different-looking film — it’s a little longer and has a few songs, though they’re in the background. Maybe there is a huge section of the Western audience that likes to experiment or see films from India. They might find this more acceptable than the regular song and dance drama that we do!”

Khan says he goes through periods where he wants to play it safe, and other periods when he is ready to take artistic chances. The “Khan” script came along when he was in the mood to take a risk.

“Given the state of mind I’m in, I can do a couple of films a year or three at most, and sometimes a story is told to me and I’m ready for it and I go, ‘Okay. This is good, I feel like I’m in this frame of mind.’

“ ‘Khan’ happened at that time, and of course the fact that Karan and Kajol and I have always dished out kind of good, entertaining cinema, it’s hard to say no to a friend who makes wonderful films with me and who is responsible for my career.”

Shah Rukh is ready to take on another creative challenge next month, when he begins shooting for Anubhav Sinha’s superhero thriller “Ra.One” in Mumbai. Contrary to past reports, the film will no longer be shot in Miami, since the city’s budget to help subsidize foreign film shoots has dried up.

“My kids have grown up watching my films and over the last four years, they’ve said, ‘Papa, why don’t you do a cool role?’” he told India-West..

“They feel a superhero is cool, a fighting kind of guy who flies and jumps. I think it’s only fair. I’m 44, before I break more bones, and injure myself further, I should quickly give it a shot and play a superhero. I’ll try and make a different film and make a statement with it in terms of the technology that India has to offer.

“Unfortunately, we may not shoot it in Miami; it’s too expensive to shoot in America. I may shift the film to London, which has subsidies for us, around June or July, but I plan to start off in India in March.”

For now, Khan will just sit back and watch as America, and the rest of the world, gets their first look at “Khan.”

“Karan has given me a great opportunity to do something as an actor which perhaps I could only dream of — hopefully, taking away the trappings of stardom from the characters that I normally otherwise play,” Khan told India-West.

“It’s not true in the case of ‘Khan.’ Maybe the other audiences will see Rizvan just as a character, and say, ‘Oh, this guy has done a good job.’

“They might get shocked when they see some of my older films,” he said, laughing. “‘Oh, he can do that too?’”

MNIK - Shah Rukh Khan Greetings to Germany

2010-02-13T07:24:00.000+08:00

The Making of My Name is Khan

2010-02-12T22:57:00.002+08:00

I think Shah Rukh is in dire need of a PR officer (I volunteer for that job! Please take me! I can even work for free!)

2010-02-12T22:35:00.001+08:00

Breaking News!

Shah Rukh apologizes on Twitter

yep.. I (and quite a few others) could see this happening the moment he started gushing on twitter. Shah Rukh, Shah Rukh, Shah Rukh. You never learn.. do you? I love you for your recklessness, so I have to take the frill with the thrill.. I guess.

Can I act as his unofficial PR officer and clarify several things?

Search through the voluminous tweets he's given since the start of the SS-provoked controversy and I guarantee you that the phrase "I'm sorry to the Shiv Sena/Balsaheeb" never pops up. Not even once.
He clarified in the interview with @BDUTT that when he said he doesn't mind meeting Bal Thackeray, it's not to discuss the foreign players issue coz to him it's a non-issue. It's just to generate goodwill (you know, like Amitabh Bachchan did with his Thackeray-filled Rann premiere.. ahead of his Aman ki Asha program). Maybe most of you hotheads are still in your teenage years, but I'm ancient and I'm telling you that with elders.. this is how one generally behaves, regardless of how much one wants to smash their faces in over some crazy matter or other that they've cooked up. Shah Rukh did have a good relationship with them in the past.. so even though the Thackerays have been known to target their 'popular friends' before, Shah Rukh is the eternal optimist.. as every fan must have known by now
He regretted that his principles and his stand on the foreign players issue may have caused hurt to the innocent fans & their families who have braved the SS goons to go to the cinema. There is no way he would retract his statement, and if he does it now.. I'll personally book a ticket to Mumbai to call him out of Mannat and whack him with a pillow. Okay, I exaggerated. I don't have that much budget or time or energy or courage to do it.. :P
Even though it's true that what he expressed in the "India Questions" interview is purely his personal view, freedom of speech, and all that jazz.. there's a section of people in Maharashtra specifically, and India generally, who may not be Shiv Sena's supporters but are genuinely upset that he praised Pakistan as a good neighbour. Maybe they've had traumatic personal experiences in the 26/11 and they were unable to forgive him for saying that. It is to these people whom he addressed this message to: "If I have said anything wittingly or unwittingly, have disturbed any sentiments, I express whole-hearted regret."

To all the fans and supporters, don't get so hyper and jumpy.. for goodness sake. Regardless of how you perceive Shah Rukh to be.. man, superman, God, whateva.. you're in that place because YOU want to be there. It was entirely YOUR decision. Think about that for a minute before you start fluctuating every time some 'news updates' come up.. kthxbai.

AVS Interview with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol

2010-02-12T21:12:00.005+08:00

I just left the cinema a few hours ago and already I'm itching to watch it again. I wish I don't have to go through the harrowing experience of watching it in a cinema for the 2nd viewing though (pls don't mind me, I probably have xenophobia-agoraphobia or something). I want to watch Rizwan again. I want to hear his monologues. I want to watch him being teased by Mandira. I want to watch his interactions with Sam. I want to watch that walk. O God! I love how he walks! I need to own this movie!!

Were there scenes missing? I thought they were cut out of the movie I watched this afternoon (by our censorship board??..but why??) when I watched the MNIK making of/promo/etc. clips: Kajol sitting alone at the table with a mug in front of her, Rizwan solving Rubik cube, Rizwan with "Need a Ride" placard, Rizwan chasing Mandira while Mandira runs away, both scenes where Rizwan is fascinated by that ornament thing, Mandira fighting with security over something, the soccer game where Rizwan is overjoyed (Sam's team won..I guess), there's a scene with Sam that just got from here to there abruptly..am not saying which coz don't want to give spoiler, if I'm not mistaken..the funeral scene at the bench never got to the close-up part, and the threesome scene on the bed.

God knows what else I'm missing, or maybe I just imagined they're missing coz I want to watch the movie again so much. I swear I didn't even blink..except for this 2 seconds when I had to switch off my handphone. (I swore that I felt murderous intent all around me ^^;). I need to buy the DVD, and this time I'm buying it from Amazon. I want everything..the making of, the deleted scenes, the complete movie. I don't want scissor-happy people at the censorship to get to it first. However, looking at Dharma-Red Chillies-Fox marketing plan, the DVD is probably gonna take awhile to come out..which is the main reason why I braved the cinema adventure in the first place. I know everyone is kinda gung ho over supporting Shah Rukh & co. and all, but I promise you..that never crossed my mind one moment when I decided to buy the ticket. I never do nerve-wrecking things for anyone but God and myself (in that order). Not even for hubby dearest and my parents, least of all a movie star I've never met..though I love him dearly. I'm selfish that way.. :P

I especially don't watch movies to make a political point. No, I don't. I leave that kind of grandiose gestures to the politicians.

So why did I watch the movie then? I watched it entirely because of my love for Shah Rukh and my preference for KJo's cinema. I'm okay with Kajol, as long as she acts alongside Shah Rukh..or else I generally don't watch her movies (sorry, I'm a single-track minded individual). Do you know? (Rizwan would have answered, "I don't" immediately.. LOL) After watching KKHH for 20+ times, K3G for 6+ times, KANK for 4+ times and now MNIK.. I think I've acquired a feel for KJo's cinema. I could also sense the style in which Shah Rukh directed all the action sequences: KKHH (1st basketball), KANK (soccer match), and now MNIK (UCLA). I love their works so much!

Book your ticket now if you haven't already. And remember, movies are to be felt and enjoyed..not analysed and dissected. Leave that to professional critics. They get paid to do that job. Leave the speculations of profits and losses to the trade pundits. They get paid to do that job. We're the audience, some are fans..some are not. We should only watch it and like..or dislike. Don't need to bother about nothin' else. Have fun at the movie!

My name is Ami, and I'm not a terrorist..

2010-02-12T15:49:00.005+08:00

What felt like a long time ago, I wrote here how I've always believed that there's so much more to Shah Rukh Khan than any of his current crop of directors have envisioned for him. And maybe coz I'm psychic, I included a reference to the Rainman in another old post during one of my fits of angst againts critics of Shah Rukh's acting style. Those two posts flashed through my mind, along with a jumble of other thoughts while I was watching MNIK. That Shah Rukh was awesome in it is an understatement. And it made it all the more disappointing not to be able to watch it for the first time alone in my living room where I can run to the TV monitor and glompz it every time I'm touched by his performance, which is usually like every 2 minutes. Then to rewind the scene a 2nd and third time with the screen 2 inches from my face while sobbing hysterically. (ok, the secret's out now)

I'm never ever going to go watch Shah Rukh's movies in the cinema again. When I get the DVD, I'll wipe off all my memory connected to this movie and watch it again as if it were the first time.

The list of things of what I don't like about going to a cinema is quite long. I brought a pillow (which I never got to use coz I was too embarrased) and a box of tissues (which is an essential for a KJo film, thanks for the heads up Farah!) for preparation. I bought breakfast but was too much in a hurry to eat it (I get nervous when I go to a new place so I always want to be there as early as possible). The tank was nearing zero coz I forgot to fill up the gas the day before, and I forgot to go to a petrol station on the way coz I was too much in a daze trying to remember the way to the shopping mall housing the cinema hall. When I got there, I had to go round and round with my empty stomach tying up in knots trying to find parking, and at last I parked at a smelly back alley. My (very favourite) jeans are too long and I had to walk on my toes to avoid all the yucky rubbish strewn all over the small path before I could reach civilization. I walked all over the mall trying to find the cinema coz I didn't want to look stupid asking for direction from anyone in the shops. The A&W where I bought my expensive breakfast from is more of a slow food joint than a fast one, and the girl at the counter was so unfriendly despite the smile she stuck on her face the entire time she was taking my order. It was 2 minutes before the cinema started so I couldn't even eat it. I told the counter ticket guy that I've never been to this particular cinema before so could he please explain to me what the numbers on my ticket are (wonder what he thought of me ^^;). And I had to watch some advertisements and promo of Rajneeti for some 15 minutes, all the while fuming to self about how there was actually enough time to eat the burger I bought (oh, btw.. Katrina reminds me of Sonia Gandhi..mesmerizing). After the movie was over, I went out and had to walk a long way to the parking coz I got lost in the mall. I hate walking amidst strangers, I feel so unsafe. Kept glancing about worrying that someone would snatch my knapsack. And I got lost driving back home too. For your info, I've driven through the same road more than a dozen times before. But that's just me, I guess.

Were you expecting a review of the film? Tough! You just have to go to a cinema near you to watch it. I went through some hardships to go there and coming home was not a piece of cake either, so why should you be spared? All good things come to those who make an effort and all that blah.

What are you waiting for?? Go and watch MNIK today!

I'm going to the movie!!

2010-02-12T10:06:00.000+08:00

So excited!! It's my first time going to a cinema, btw.

Ok, that's all *grins* ..bye now!! Will blog of the experience.. yes, yes.. the post'll most probably be longass and boring LOL.

*waves and runs*

Omi's Korner: Chapter 4 - I wanted to close this issue yesterday..

2010-02-12T03:36:00.003+08:00

..but it seems things are getting worse over in Maharashtra. Read that multiplexes and single screen cinemas are canceling the opening of My Name is Khan due to severe violence of the Shiv Sainiks (see, I'm a Malaysian and even I know what a Sainik is now).

For those who still think Shah Rukh should apologize to the Shiv Sena, two things I want you guys to clarify: 1. What is the portion in his statement over at "India Questions" in NDTV should he apologize for? (or have you even watched it at all? If you haven't, then SHUT UP!), 2. Tell him the exact words as a way of retracting any portion of his statement that you think he has to say.

What is happening to MNIK in Mumbai has gone way beyond Shah Rukh himself now. I doubt anything he says from hereon will change anything. Now the Shiv Sena is trying to ruin his reputation by saying that he actually wanted to meet Bal Thakeray to apologize but was stopped by the Congress from doing so. Tell me, what idiots will believe this piece of shizzy reporting?

I have read many things on Shiv Sena. It's like a 3-day crash course on Indian politics for me. Wish I paid this much attention to Malaysian politics, but ours is more subtle and covert (too many read-between-the-lines stuff, too taxing for my smallish brain) while Indian politics is so in-your-face, so the latter is easier to digest and formulate an opinion on. Well, that's my opinion after the crash course anyway.

I completely understand what Shah Rukh meant by the "non-issue" now. Actually, the light dawned on me after reading this speech by a Sainik (source):

“Why should Amitabh be spared? If Saheb [Bal Thackeray] orders us, we will protest against him, too.”

That question, uttered so matter-of-factly, eerily invokes in my mind images of Frankenstein.. that big dumb physically powerful monster who would do anything to please its master. Does it matter that Shah Rukh said anything at all? It sounds like, whenever this monstrous entity is ordered to destroy anyone or anything, it will not inquire on the why and the what. Far be it for me to look down on how other state or other country should be governed, I mean.. we do have the scenario of goons in the payroll of politicians here too, I'm not that naive to believe everything is hunky dory in my country.. but what's happening in Mumbai, actually..the entire Maharashtra, I have no word for it. That everybody seems so powerless is completely beyond my understanding.

We chose your leaders. We are partly at fault for what's unfolding in our respective state, our respective nation. To sit in front of our TV monitors and go "Tsk, tsk..what is the world coming to," at the sight of goons vandalizing public property on the instigation of leaders we ourselves have elected in the previous election is irresponsibility of the highest degree. Putting the blame entirely on the shoulder of one person is the height of indolence. Today the goons have stopped you from going to watch a movie you've excitedly waited many months for. What will they stop you from doing (or even saying) tomorrow?

The power of the people is in the decisions each of us makes regarding our rights as a countryman. Exercise it prudently.

My Name is Khan premiered in Abu Dhabi

2010-02-12T02:46:00.000+08:00

I'm currently waiting with anticipation for the Berlin clips to start pouring in.

My Name is Khan (MNIK) screening in Malaysia

2010-02-12T02:11:00.001+08:00

I'm going to the TGV one. If you are too, you can go directly to the TGV site and book or reserve your seat(s) online. Just login (or register for free if you haven't already) and go through the e-ticketing steps.

For the GSC, you can book it directly through cinema.com

See you at the movie!!

His Name Is Khan (And It's One You Might Know)

2010-02-12T01:56:00.001+08:00

The audio on the page contains the complete interview. You can download it.

Source

He's the biggest movie star in the world. Because even if you never heard of Shah Rukh Khan, a billion people in India — and more across the Middle East, Africa and beyond — certainly have. He's the biggest draw in the outrageously oversized films that come from the Hindi-film industry often called Bollywood.

How big a draw is that? More people around the world watch Shah Rukh Khan than Meryl Streep or Brad Pitt. Maybe Meryl Streep and Brad Pitt. His film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, made in 1995, is still playing in one Mumbai cinema.

"In India, the films are not looked upon just as entertainment," Khan says. "They're a way of life."

And Shah Rukh Khan has made them his life. At age 44, he owns a production company and is host of India's version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. And he keeps starring in Bollywood productions — films that get shown everywhere from remote Indian villages to multiplexes in New York.

In some ways, that broad distribution requires a certain style of filmmaking.

"The idea is that you have to some way make a film that appeals to my 90-year-old grandmother and to the 9-year-old kid," Khan says. "So it's like a cabaret. Like, I have a couple of films written by American guys, and I bring them back to Mumbai, make them sit down. And then I say: 'OK, here's the song, and here's the mother.' 'But there's no mother in the film.' And I say, 'There has to be a mother in the film.' "

In movies that commonly last three hours, Khan might howl his lines, with his hair flying everywhere. He may dance on the roof of a moving train. It comes with the territory.

"People talk about Bollywood being very kitsch," he acknowledges, "and just songs and dances, and over the top and colorful."

But in his latest production, being released in the U.S. Feb. 12, he's not doing anything quite that over the top. He plays a Muslim man with Asperger's syndrome who is driven after the events of Sept. 11 to constantly repeat a single explosive phrase:

"My name is Khan, and I'm not a terrorist."

From A Real-Life Horror, 'The Butterfly Effect' For Two Innocents

A Muslim star in a mostly Hindu country, Khan says he has always been interested in the challenge of starting from a real-life incident and weaving a fictional story around it.

"And there is an aspect of Islam that needs to be addressed now, otherwise this demarcation, this divide we keep on increasing," he says. "So I just thought we should have a message about a film with humanity. Just goodness."

In one way, Khan says, his character is speaking for millions of Muslims with that startling sentence.

Shah Rukh Khan and director Karan Johar on location

"Yes and no — because the line is actually very emotional," he says. "People who are autistic or have Asperger's have a compulsive behavior. He just gets this line in his head, and compulsively keeps saying, 'My name is Khan, and I'm not a terrorist.' And it's a more emotional thing."

The movie, he says, isn't really about Sept. 11, or about terrorism. It's a love story. It's about "the butterfly effect of an incident like this."

"That, you know, two people who are actually unrelated to an incident somewhere in the world and how their lives and their love changes, and gets completely thwarted."

Soon after he finished filming My Name is Khan, India's biggest film star almost found himself thwarted. On a visit to the United States, he was detained and questioned for two hours at U.S. immigration. The incident made front-page headlines across India.

"I didn't react to it as vehemently as I think everyone back home did," Khan says, "because I'm used to it. You know, my name is Khan, really. And I'm sent to the other side, which is OK. I don't make a big issue out of it."

Others were more offended, though Khan makes a joke of it now.

"The foreign minister in India said that, you know, we also are going to do the same to the Western world people when they come," Khan says. "So I said, 'Give me the chance to frisk Angelina Jolie if she comes to India, please. I should be the first one to try this.' "

'Our Fantasies Are Very Real'

My Name Is Khan isn't like most of Shah Rukh Khan's other films. Most of them, for one thing, are primarily secular in character — while most audiences might presume he's playing a Hindu character, that character's religion isn't central to the plot.

But Khan says it wasn't a particular risk for him to make a movie about an explicitly Muslim character.

"As far as the public is concerned, India is amazingly secular. I am a Muslim, but I am a leading star for the last 20 years, so if you just go by that, there is no issue ever.

"There are vested interests who will always bring that up to provoke people, which I guess keeps happening everywhere."

What the movie has in common with many Bollywood fantasies is this: Khan's character comes to America.

"I say this to everyone: Our fantasies are about earning a good living," he says. "Having maybe a car — not two. Getting an education for your kids. Our fantasies are not about getting to be president of the country, to sit in a rocket and go and break a meteor. Our fantasies are very real.

"As a matter of fact," he continues, "I find the Western cinema very fantastic. You've got aliens. And you've got things we don't know about. Blue creatures. You have Batman, you have Superman. I remember the first time I was here — someone was interviewing me in a hotel, and they said, 'Your films are such fantasies.'

"And I'm like, 'We are fantasies?' Our guys just want to sing and dance on the roads. Our guys just want to drive a big car. Our guys just want to come to America. You know, we don't want to go to Pandora. America is our Pandora."

Ok, I cracked. But how could I resist it when there's a fresh new 'mini' controversy right out of the oven!

2010-02-11T04:15:00.006+08:00

One of the many articles I stumbled upon on the subject (not to mention several forum arguments against the machine.. but of course governments, in whichever country we're living in, are smarter than the people who've elected them and won't listen to any contradicting opinion)

As I have commented in a previous post.. Shah Rukh, the lovely star whom I love so much and who's so down-to-earth and humbleness itself.. has this great ability to generate controversy with the slightest remark. It's a curse! Or a blessing! Either way, the BAA is tripping all over itself to prove that Shah Rukh LIED in Wossy's show on the body scanner thing.

Yep, I can so totally see how the body scan CAN'T be "stored digitally nor distributed to anyone in any form". Right. Next, they'll call up Shah Rukh and ask him to clarify that there is no such incident and that it was all a BIG FAT LIE. Guys.. it's called a JOKE?! If Shah Rukh has truly autographed that thing, won't it be circulating the net by now? Come on.. us gals (and many of the guys, I bet) would trip over ourselves trying to download it. Those airport staff would have made millions of dollars from the sale.

(The fact that the BAA people're so nervous about it smells like something's burning in the kitchen. They'd better take better care of the buns next time)

Note: I think I need to install a new label/tag in my blog called "controversy". That label is becoming more and more a necessity as Shah Rukh's popularity gets bigger. I mean, it's not every movie star who can have the assurance of an entire state police to guard the security of the cinemas screening his film. What with it happening in the backdrop of several parties trying to gain visibility for the coming election, he is almost always at the right place & at the right time (or is it the opposite?) that it's eery when I think about it.

Extract of the MNIK Press Conference in Abu Dhabi

2010-02-11T03:59:00.001+08:00

This was my question on facebook! O well.. I guess either it's not as exclusive as I thought or someone pinched it. But I'm happy it was asked and answered :D

2010-02-11T01:47:00.004+08:00

Source

On being asked why Abu Dhabi was chosen as the venue for the world premiere of MNIK, Vijay Singh said, "Middle East's revenue contribution is 25% of the international revenues. This is a very important market for us. The reason why we are doing our world Premiere here is because of the theme of the film, the importance of Abu Dhabi and this region we believe has a lot of potential."

Shah Rukh has finally learnt the fine art of saying, "No comment." :P

2010-02-11T01:26:00.002+08:00

Source

“Other than that, I do not wish to comment on any other aspect because we’re currently out of the country and the scenario is probably changing per minute. And anything else I say on the matter might be misconstrued,” stated Khan, firmly closing any other conversation on the matter.

SRK: I never look at the script

2010-02-11T00:37:00.002+08:00

Source

February 2 was one of the busiest days for Shah Rukh Khan -- when he hasn't been shooting for a film, that is. From the time Kajol and he rang the bell at NASDAQ opening the New York-based stock exchange for business, he gave over a dozen television interviews for South Asian channels, attended an hour-long press conference, and loosened his tie and sat down for an interview with rediff.com

For over 20 minutes he talked about his passion, why he disliked revealing the secrets of his trade, and what it meant to work with Karan Johar.

"He [Johar] is not just a director or producer to me," SRK said. "He is a friend, he is family, and then, he is a world class director who knows how to put together a world class team."

In My Name Is Khan, directed by Johar, SRK plays Rizwan Khan, a man with a form of autism that makes him a much misunderstood person. The 9/11 events indirectly affect millions of people across the globe, and Rizwan is one of them.

The movie, SRK asserts, is not about terrorism but how it affects people.

Is doing a film like MNIK a risk for you?

I've done about 70 films to date -- including films featuring guest appearances. I realise that whenever I have taken chances, I have not necessarily succeeded. But whenever I have failed, I have not felt very bad. Whenever I've succeeded, I've felt much better than in a film when I have not taken chances.

On the whole, it is better to try something new, rather than do the same thing. There is no guarantee which film will work. I've always been like that. If you don't change often enough, you will not be able to evolve or do something new. Stagnancy, same place, comfort zone -- I've never believed in that. I come from Delhi and I play films off the cuff. But that does not mean I am flippant.

I often pay movie tickets and see films. Those [the audiences] are the only people I work for. I don't work for the director or the producer. I work for those, who pay Rs 12 or $12. And when I say that I am also aware that I want to work for them in a way, that god willing, I'm able to make them evolve also. It's not just, 'Oh you want this, so I'll give it.' No! I'll give this and a little more. So, in the next one expect a little more, I have been telling my friends and the audiences from my early years.

So, I'll do a Baazigar [in 1993] where I'm a negative guy. Everyone told me, 'Oh this won't work!' But it became a huge hit. And then everyone told me that doing a love story [Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge] for me after Baazigar won't work; but Dilwale is still running after 25 years. Everyone told me that Darr won't work. But my audience told me otherwise.

If I count the last eight films of mine, you will find yes, they are Hindi films; that's the only common thing in them. Otherwise, inherently, there is a new kind of hero; but I don't make a big thing about it.

You have not got enough credit for your work...

I am often a low profile person. That's because, even for My Name Is Khan, people ask me, 'How do you prepare for it?' I'm not very thrilled answering that question.

It's important not to ask the chef how he makes the dish. Just tell him if it's tasty or not tasty. And that's what I believe an actor should be. Any actor who starts telling you how he prepared for the role, is actually boring you and making an excuse for a bad performance, I think.

In this case, I needed to tell because it is related to an [autistic] disorder. So, you have to give it the respectability. Yes, I've researched it; I've not just gone and played it. But whenever there is no research -- in most of my roles I don't -- or even if there is research, it is not going to disturb the character. Some may say, 'Oh, he did not research to be a teacher.' But, in fact, I do. But I don't like talking about it because I believe that's not what I'm paid to do. I'm paid to make you have a tasty dinner; not tell you how that was made.

Yes, I take my chances. My Name Is Khan is also as risky as Baazigar on a different level. Of course, I have the stardom to back it, it will open well, I have Kajol, Karan (Johar, the producer and director), all those safety nets are there but in spite of it all, I think very few heroes will play the role I have played. Inshallah [god willing], when you see the film you [will] realise.

My challenge is here is a character who does not feel love, who does not know how to cry or laugh, sing or dance, and yet in this film, I am going to be the most romantic hero. I want every woman to turn around and say, 'I want to have a person who loves me like this.' And yet my character does not know what love means. It is a true disorder, and it is not made up. You will at the end of the film feel, 'Oh my god, I wish he could be in love with me', knowing fully well my character does not feel love, he does not cry. I don't think I can succeed in convincing you that he is a lovable guy. And yet you feel for this man, you love him. That is the challenge I have in this film.

Locations are very important for this film, isn't it?

The film is very expensive. It has been shot mostly between Los Angeles and San Francisco. I have shot many films in America starting with [Subhash Ghai's] Pardes shot mostly in and around Las Vegas [in 1997], and several films including Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna in the New York area.

[My Name Is] Khan is about journey, one man's journey to win his love back. We wanted the whole countryside and location of the country to play an important part. We wish we could have got the permission to shoot in the White House. We didn't, so we cheated, shot opposite [California Governor] Arnold Schwarzenegger's office in [the state capitol] Sacramento. This film would not have been anywhere else but set in America.

Do you ever go through a doubt or anxiety when working with a team that has produced a major hit?

I have no self doubt ever when I have said yes to something. I tell myself, 'This is it, this is the best that god made for me.' I am very spiritual about my work -- very, very spiritual. It sounds strange. I think of my work as the only thing I was made for. I think of my work as the happiest moment of life. When I am acting I am one with god, very strangely. I don't say it because a lot of people will find it weird. I have said in a documentary on me [made by the British filmmaker Munni Kabir]. With the huge connect I have with Allah, god, I am sitting here and saying, 'Wow, he has given me a chance to express in one lifetime, so many expressions of so many different people and people like me for it. And they pay me for it. Who gets a chance like this?'

I am so many people in a day and it is so wonderful. In the last 20 years, very few children [of my generation] have got a chance to live out the fantasy that I have. And thankfulness shows in my performances. I am only doing it to please everyone. It is never self centered. People think I am arrogant because of my sense of humour. I am very humble and down to earth. And people who know me know that.

Does it hurt you much to read negative criticism about you?

If you don't know me, you will say or write negative things about me. My Name Is Khan is about such things: If you don't me, if you don't know the religion, you may think you have the right to dislike me or anyone belonging to a particular religion. It is my duty to tell people about these things. Once you know it, you may say, 'Oh, this is cool.' It is lack of knowing me, people say certain things about me, which is okay.

You have worked in some of the most successful films of your career made by Karan Johar. And some of your biggest hits have had Kajol. Do you feel a little nervous when you join them on a new film?

Whenever I do a film with friends like Kajol and Karan, I feel that the success I have had with them is not a monkey on my back. There is actually even more confidence that this new project will be bigger than Dilwale. I feel that Khan should be a bigger hit than Karan's KANK.

I only think positive and I have never had a negative strain in my life. I only say when I sign a film with them, 'Oh wow, here is the team that is going to make the biggest film ever.' If it happens, it is very good. If it doesn't happen, it does not lessen the love I have for them.

Sometimes people say I have been on the top for two decades. In reality, for 20 years I have had my ups and I have had my downs. People have said, 'He has lost his golden touch' but that is not true. I am going to come back following any downs. I would like to think I am the comeback kid. I cherish being a movie star, with so much of spirituality and love in my work and around me that you cannot take them away from me And if you can't take these things away from me, I will always have confidence in me.

I wish success for Kajol [in MINK] because she makes so few films, and for Karan Johar because he has made a big movie. He is a very conscientious guy and he deserves all the success. And I hope I can participate in more of his films.

As an artist what are your strengths and weaknesses?

I never look at the script. I never work with the scripts. I work with people, who make the scripts work. My biggest undoing is my faith in people. My biggest plus point is also my faith in people. In Karan Johar I have the fullest faith. He told me in a few words what My Name Is Khan about. Even if he hadn't, I would have signed for the film.

He came to my wife [Gauri Khan] telling her to ask me to read the script. He said everyone connected with the film had seen it. Even in the case of Kal Ho Naa Ho [which Johar produced and Nikhil Advani directed], I did not read the script. I said, you tell me the preceding scene and what comes after this, and I am fine with it.

And as a producer?

I have my ups and downs. Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani did not do well. And yet I made Asoka which did not do well, too. And yet I made Paheli. Some people have told me that I should not make the films that people won't like. But I feel every time I am making a film that people have given me so much of love and support that I should give them something strong. I have lost money on films. My cricket team has lost money. And people, even my family, ask me, 'Aren't you sad, aren't you disturbed?' I always say, 'God has given me so much, I cannot be sad. I cannot be disheartened. And I will come back.'

Kajol - On SRK in MNIK

2010-02-11T00:05:00.001+08:00

Extract from source

Shah Rukh Khan has said that having Kajol as a co-star has no parallels. She inspires him by the interest she takes in his work. Even when Johar has okayed a shot, she whispers into his ear that Shah Rukh could do better.

"She wishes greater success for Karan and me," Shah Rukh had said. "She is more concerned for us than for her own self. You don't find many human beings like Kajol."

She, in turn, says that working with fine artists, stars and character artists, enhances her own performance. She is always awed by the pains Shah Rukh takes to make his role realistic. He hasn't received the fullest credit he deserves for doing so, she adds.

"After I have read the script, I am wired to the film," she continues. "I imagine how someone like me would behave in a particular situation. I depend a lot on the director to put me in the right place. But Shah Rukh does thorough research about his role."

Having worked with SRK in several films, she feels he is one of the few actors in the Hindi film industry who understands well what his role is -- and what the roles of his co-artists are.

"Working with him means I am not thinking of something else, and inadvertently confuse myself. We never felt while working together that we are working on two different films. We are always on the same page in any film, especially with this one."

Kajol also says she discovered a new SRK in My Name Is Khan. "On the first day of the shoot itself, it was obvious we were seeing a totally different actor," she says. Though he is a versatile actor, some of his mannerisms stand out, she pointed out. "But in this film he had become Rizwan Khan from the very first day. I had never expected how real Shah Rukh would be in this role. I was stunned seeing the transformation. Rizwan Khan is his biggest triumph as an actor."

Shahrukh Khan On Vodafone MTV IMix

2010-02-10T22:04:00.002+08:00

Lux Cozi Ad

2010-02-10T21:58:00.000+08:00

I understand about everyone else keeping it on.. but Shah Rukh doesn't have to.. right?

The purple is looking rad! Love it better than the black. Thank God they changed the colour.

O God.. I'm bloody boring..

2010-02-09T20:14:00.002+08:00

I've written too many longass posts. I think I've bored the skulls off all my accidental visitors, including my own. I want to have a long rest.

From now on, it'll be just pictures and videos and around 140-letter comments! Links will be on twitter minus comments from boring old me. This rule will be in place until whenever I feel like ending it, which will probably take a while.. *mumbles and goes away*

Shah Rukh for politics!! (I would have voted for this had I been a citizen of India)

2010-02-09T02:48:00.006+08:00

I thought I have finished with whatever it is I want to say regarding the recent hullabaloo surrounding Shah Rukh, my blog's resident controversy generator, with this post. But watching BDUTT's interview with him on NDTV tonight sparked off a rant in me.

I have never heard a more honest speech on politics than what Shah Rukh has given here. I can now absolutely understand why so many reporters and even random people in the audience have asked him when he is going to join politics. And I can also absolutely understand why he won't touch the world of politics (as a politician) with a 1000-foot pole. I fell in love with so many things he said in this clip, and there are some places in the interview that suddenly made me go.. hey! I know this guy! ..I felt it's as if he'd suddenly burst into Bahasa Malaysia (my national language) in the next sentence. Like he's someone I've known all my life. Dunno how to explain it.

Anyway, watch the interview. I still can't believe the exhibitors pulled out. And if any of you are following me on twitter, you'll know that the VHP, an international hindu organization founded in India in 1964 (see, thanks to Shah Rukh..I know more stuff about India now), has now publicly taken a 'stand' to support Shiv Sena by asking THE ENTIRE NATION ..wow!!!.. to boycott My Name is Khan. Yesterday I was quite happy coz I read that the controversy regarding the Shiv Sena has receded. Today I was shocked when I read that the entire nation is asked by an international hindu organization, and let's not forget that India has a hindu majority, not to go and watch the film. And not because the film has a muslim as the protagonist. Noooooooo. It's because Shah Rukh KHAN is a traitor. Oh, and get this.. they "may support the Shah Rukh issue, but not with the Shiv Sena on the 'Mumbai for Marathi' one". Yeah? You can do that? You can just pick and choose issues you want to support or oppose without any sound reasoning to back up your decision and the entire nation will just go out on a limb to follow your instruction?

You know.. even I, who's not that bright in picking up clues, can see the whole blinking clues like they're some blinking neon lights on top of the Taj. In fact, I'm blinded by the blaring bright lights! They're just too bling bling and shiny! My eyes can't take it.. maybe I should wear shades. I don't want to look down on an entire nation based on the actions and speeches from some illogical public personalities who like to hog the limelight for whatever agenda they want to further, but this is looking more and more ridiculous every day. I am not understanding it if the entire nation would actually take up the call and boycott the film. Know what? I refuse to understand it. No one can ever succeed in making me understand that scenario. No one.

I have my own issue with My Name is Khan. I come from a muslim background that is against the registration of marriage between a muslim and a non-muslim. But will that stop me from watching My Name is Khan? Heck NO!! See here, you can't mold the world into a shape that you think is beautiful just by violently denying that other shapes exist and are probably more beautiful in their own way than the shape that you prefer. And if you force the people under your influence, who respect you or fear you or depend on you for their livelihood because of your seniority/position/whatever, to admit or accept that ..yes, the shape you think is beautiful is the only shape that should exist for this world.. then you're a dictator who has abused his/her power. That's my stand for my nation's leaders as a regular citizen who's voted in every general election held in this country since I came of age, and that's the stand I think every voter should take for the leaders of his/her respective nation. Think about it for a second. Just think about it.. for God's sake.. before you start burning a poster/effigy at the instigation of your political leaders again.

I wrote in this blog before that I have never gone to a cinema to watch movies. It's coz I love to rewind my favourite scenes, I'm very noisy when I watch movies (I cry/scream/give comments/encourage the characters to do what I think they should do even though I know there's no way they can hear and follow what I say..duh../I clap/I do all sorts of ridiculous antics that I won't disclose here coz they're too embarrassing), and.. I confess.. I want to have Shah Rukh all to myself. I don't want to enjoy him with 40 other people in a dark cinema hall 25 km away from the comfort of my living room. I want to have my pillows with me. I want to have boxes of tissues ready beside me. I want to be able to pause at any scene and go to my kitchen to get a glass of juice. I don't want to have to rush out and rush in during the intermission for a loo break. And since MNIK is a very special movie for me (and I'll tell you why in a bit), I have absolutely no problem avoiding all online reviews and waiting for a few months until the DVD comes out.

When KJo was questioned on why his marketing and promotional team keep things low for MNIK.. I went blank. I mean, I was too shocked at that question to even utter a coherent comment on it.. and I'm this weird person who likes to scream at her computer monitor when she's disturbed by something she reads on the net. Reading that article, the only word that goes through my mind like some scrolling marquee is: STUPID. That is it: stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.. x 10000000000. With the involvement of Fox as their international distributor, 500 (or so) prints being distributed all over the world, phased global release plan in about 70 countries not including the huge release plan in India, promotions at high-profile events and places (NASDAQ, press conferences in New York, MTV Iggy, one week of coverage in the BBC Asian Network including a spot on the Jonathan Ross show, premieres in Abu Dhabi and Berlin), promo tours to several regions in India with an interesting theme that is.. to find extraordinary love stories experienced by ordinary people (and some really made me go.. Woah! They were so brave to come forward onto the stage to disclose their love stories!!).. and what did the indian media have to say? That the Shiv Sena controversy is the one that actually helps to raise visibility for My Name is Khan. Don't believe me? Think it's too preposterous to be believed? Read this and weep. You know what.. maybe 'stupid' is a gigantic understatement.

I'm in despair.

KJo, I don't think you can win this. No intelligent person has ever won an argument with stupid people, coz they basically have years of experience being stupid. Like.. from birth?

The reason why I think My Name is Khan is a special movie? Shah Rukh, Kajol, and KJo may go emotional about it and say all sorts of mushy stuff on how special the story is, or what a blast they have filming it, or how beautifully depicted humanity is in the movie.. but I can say something here that they've refrained from telling, maybe out of modesty or maybe it's too soon to say it coz it hasn't been released yet. "My Name is Khan" is poised to be a movie that'll change cinema history, if not history itself, not just in India but globally as well. Why do you think Fox picked it up? At least, that's what I see how KJo and Shah Rukh planned it before all hell broke loose in India over.. I'm still not sure what issue. And the stupids are too dense to see how stupendous it will be for the hindi movie industry and Indian economy if the ambitious plan for My Name is Khan works. I'm not stupid, I hope. At least, not so stupid that I purposely want to be left out of such a momentous event. I'm going, man!

Fine. Boycott it, you fools. Boycott it. We'll see how this movie is received in other parts of the world. As I'm writing this, I have gone against my own rule of never going to a cinema to watch a film by making plans to go to a cinema to watch it when it's released in Malaysia. I'm even now looking at transportation methods of going to the only cinema hall that I think will carry the movie in Kuala Lumpur. It's quite far. But then, anywhere further than 10 feet outside my front gate is quite far for me. I think I'll go by train. And maybe I'll have to skip my lab work for a day to watch the afternoon session coz I'm too scared to go home near midnight by myself in an area I'm not familiar with and coz most likely the movie will finish right after the train service has stopped for the night. Arrrgh, so many things to consider! But I'm quite sure I'll go. And if a thorough homebody like me can go through all this hassle to catch My Name is Khan on the big screen, it's not hard to imagine regular cinema-goers in those 69 other countries to do the same. I'm sure at the end of the day, some innocent child in India will ask his/her parents, "Mama, papa.. why haven't we watched this film?" Will they answer him/her the way the parents in "Chak De! India" have done.. that "We're boycotting it because a traitor to his nation is in it"? Good job, madams/sirs!

I'm sure I've shone a high-powered spotlight on the nonsensicality of this entire issue in this hugeass post, but regardless of what I think or what I believe.. I know that people will still think what they want.. people will still believe what they want. To enforce my viewpoints on others has never been my intention in writing this. I'm just letting out steam. I doubt my steam can drive any of the broken-beyond-repair ships home. Let's wrap this up and continue to wait patiently for the showtimes to be published, shall we? Just before I go away, let us see how the man of the moment is doing. Is he sulking at home worrying about everyone not loving him anymore and driving himself bonkers with questions over his Indian identity? Nope. It's work as usual for Shah Rukh Khan. I swear this guy has got some Superman genes in him. I love you Shah Rukh! Stay you always.

SRK & family at Maharashtra State open Taekwondo competition

2010-02-08T20:59:00.007+08:00

This is the competition where the kids both won gold medals~

When is it gonna be released in Malaysia?? waits impatiently

2010-02-08T18:29:00.001+08:00

Source

(someone posted in the forum)

Just back from the Mumbai Fox office after watching portions of the final edit of My Name is Khan. Fox guys were really keen whether the $16 million they spent in buying the rights are justified? The answer is a resounding yes. This film is gonna blow away mainstream Hollywood if properly marketed. Shah Rukh Khan is in the role of his lifetime and as Rizwan Khan, he is in his best performance ever. Kajol is at her usual best and the chemistry between the leading pair is something to die for. The climax is the crux of the movie, and the 2nd half is so compelling that people will just stand up and give a standing ovation to the maker, Karan Johar. Shibani Bathija needs to be credited for such an awesome screenplay, and Ravi Chandran\'s cinematography gives the film an international look. The theme is tailor made for North America, and as I already mentioned, if marketed properly, this one has potential to gross $20-30 million in North America alone. Having said that, being primarily a love story, it has all the right items to hit the Indian box office. Due to the lead pair coming back after 10 years, the hype in India is inexplicable.

Picture of a proud father~

2010-02-07T18:20:00.000+08:00

Source

ATTENTION!!

2010-02-07T17:44:00.001+08:00

It's out! It's out! Interview with Rajeev Masand

2010-02-07T17:08:00.000+08:00

NEXT

The show that started it all..

2010-02-07T15:57:00.001+08:00

I watched this video very sombrely...

2010-02-07T05:26:00.009+08:00

Also: My daughter thought we'd have to leave Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood is often on wrong side of politics: SRK

I wrote in twitter that I will be writing on this issue. But after reading so many articles and watching so many videos.. I'm still, like Shah Rukh is, bewildered. I still don't understand what he's being penalized for, so much so that he's being called a 'traitor'. He's a movie star, yes, but his life is not a movie where some people can write the word traitor outside of Mannat and expect him + his family to relocate elsewhere right afterwards. Do they also expect him to come back a decade later and train a gaggle of girls to act in a big budget masala movie in a desperate attempt to resurrect his career and in the end triumph against all odds? Me thinks they have been watching too much Chak De! India.

Far be it for me to look down on Indian politics.. I mean, our ex-Deputy Prime Minister is undergoing trial for a sodomy charge right now, his 2nd one in just over a decade, so it's not like Malaysian politics is any less of a drama. I don't pick up newspapers to read front pages anymore, I buy them just for the cartoon + entertainment sections and whenever I'm curious about the current Malaysian political climate I'll get my husband to dissect it for me (he can do it in less than 10 minutes, which saves me so much time). I don't think I have enough brain matter to dissect Indian politics in regards to this issue. So, I have decided to not look at what's happening to Shah Rukh from a political point of view.

Two things. Firstly, there's IPL. Isn't it supposed to be an in-your-face commercial sporting event with its quota of international players? I understand that there are weighty issues between India & Pakistan and, at a smaller scale, between India & Australia. If the general population of India, who makes up the majority of the IPL audience, objects violently to the inclusion of foreign players in their favourite teams, then I think the IPL management has to seriously consider dropping that quota completely. Just let the IPL teams consist of entirely Indian players. Just let IPL be enjoyed by an entirely Indian audience. The "I" in IPL does not stand for 'international' after all. It stands for IN-DI-A.

Why must the 'foreign players/coaches' drama that plagues IPL so much be allowed to go on year after year? If the Indian audience is disturbed by them and the political parties in power adamantly deny their entry, then what is the point in keeping the quota? The IPL management is irresponsibly putting the team owners at a very uncomfortable, unfair, unlucrative, even dangerous, and unstable position. It took a devil-may-care personality like Shah Rukh to bring the obvious to light and if someone like him, who's been called the Brand Ambassador of India in the past, can be branded a "traitor" for voicing out a simple opinion, who would dare to voice out the obvious again next time?

I don't understand where Lalit Modi is hiding in the midst of all this. Is he working on something behind close doors or is he letting his 'friend' to hang out to dry? I followed the KKR debacle with Mr. B last year quite closely, and I remember feeling very disturbed with the virulently scathing racist comments made by Indian cricket fans against him online and in the media. I mean, my issue with him is of his seeming incompetence in coaching KKR, but his nationality has never been a concern for me. Is it his fault as the (ex-)coach of KKR that Indians were murdered in his native country? That quite a large number of people could equate between his dismal performance in KKR and the murders committed in Australia is mind-boggling. Or to lump him together with Chappal and accuse him of being discriminating against Sourav because "that's what Australian coaches do". How did that correlation come about?

Having said all that, I don't need anyone to tell me that eliminating the foreign players quota and excluding foreign coaches are completely crappy suggestions. If IPL wants to become the truly global T20 cricket format that it wants to be, it has to educate its passionate domestic supporters and some members of the regional political parties of the importance in involving foreign players and staff in the clubs/teams.

I think IPL has depended on Shah Rukh enough, don't you? I mean, face it, without Shah Rukh as one of the team owners, IPL may be as massively well received in India as it is now due to the country's obsession with cricket. But do you think any of us outside of India would care for it? Why should we follow it? We might as well be following the Cricket World Cup, or cricket championships in our own respective country. We'd probably still be intrigued enough to know that IPL exists, but I doubt we'd follow it as closely as we did for the last two years. Even though Shah Rukh was just joking when he said he is the USP of IPL, I think a lot of people would agree, albeit grudgingly perhaps, that what he said is completely true.

(also, as gung-ho about cricket as PZ and SS are, I doubt any of us wants to follow IPL coz he/she wants to see two Bollywood actresses cheering wildly for their teams in the stadium.. or at least, I don't)

I think it's high time for IPL to try to stand on its own and come out with its own stand on issues that it has directly or indirectly brought to the fore. The Pakistani/Australian/foreign players issue can be the start for a good discussion. Let's turn this uncomfortable and high tension drama into an opportunity to educate the masses, Lalitji. I want to see you on television explaining about this issue after the tournament is over. Don't do it now. The tournament is too near and God knows what kind of controversy that discussion will spark. Especially coz I know you'll drag Shah Rukh into it again.. just like you did with South Africa. It's something you always do, isn't it? Why is that? Don't you have enough confidence to carry this out on your own? Or at least with some BCCI members? Shah Rukh is not one of the people making all these policies you guys keep throwing at our faces, is he? Stop getting him into trouble for something BCCI has created. I want KKR to win the championship this year, so I want the players to focus on the game.. not on some stupid controversies.

Secondly, let me just say that the slogan "Mumbai for Marathi" confuses me so much. My country is a multicultural one.. we have different races staying in any state they choose to live in. We have our differences, of course, but I could never imagine that there would be a day when some people can matter-of-factly spout on public platforms slogans like "Selangor for Indians" or "Perak for Chinese" or "Kedah for Malays" or "Sabah for Kadazan" or Sarawak for Iban". To even imagine telling a Malaysian of chinese descent to "go back to China" or of indian descent to "go back to India" is something short of blasphemy to me. My grandparents came from Indonesia.. if there were to be a day some fellow Malaysians shout at me to "go back to Indonesia", I would be shattered. I've been to Indonesia and it is a lovely country, but I was born in Malaysia. My family's here. My husband's here. My heart's here. No matter how much I like to travel overseas, this is my home and this is where I belong.

I don't know what else to write. I'm bad at ending emotional posts so I'll just leave it there. I feel a sense of despair for Shah Rukh, not just because I genuinely love the guy but also because he is one of the few priceless mirrors in which I reflect my own existence. I wish him happiness.

Awesome!

2010-02-07T02:50:00.001+08:00

Just like that, he solved it. Can I just say.. I'm in awe?

2010-02-07T02:19:00.001+08:00

Source

Shiv Sena's ire at Shah Rukh Khan seems to have come down as the superstar has been allowed to release his upcoming film "My Name Is Khan" in "as many theatres" he wants and the actor is glad the group understood his point on freedom of expression.

Shah Rukh was facing flak from the Shiv Sena for his comment that Pakistani cricket players be included in the third season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He owns IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders.

His comment didn't go down well with the Sena which sought an apology and threatened to stop the release of all his films in Mumbai starting with "My Name Is Khan", due for releasing Feb 12.

"I have only said what every Indian should. I stand by what I have said. I think there's a bit of agenda and politics in all this," Shah Rukh told reporters here.

"Often we film people find ourselves on the wrong side of politics. I don't think the Sena went against my film because it has 'Khan' in the name. The good news is that I have just heard there will be no problems with my film," he added.

"I am glad Sena could understand my point of view... I have a personal identity, but also a national identity... We are Indians, and my Indian identity makes me believe in certain things. I don't hold any one responsible and I stand by what I have said," he said.

The actor also shared his family's concern after the furore.

"My daughter asked me over the phone if we'll have to leave India," he said.

The actor returned here from visit to the US and Britain Saturday after promoting "My Name Is Khan" with director Karan Johar and actress Kajol.

Considering the gravity of the situation and the circumstances, he and the actress came out separately from the airport. He was accompanied by a sea of police personnel as well as his own security guards. Johar left the airport premises separately.

The state government as well as the police here have promised full cover to cinema properties where "My Name Is Khan" would be screened.

At the airport, Shah Rukh pointed out his proximity with the Thackeray family.

"I will go meet Balasaheb if he calls me. He is a senior leader. I have gone in the past when he's called me. I enjoy his company," he said.

He also spoke out in favour of Mumbai - a sensitive topic with the Shiv Sena.

"I am what I am because of Mumbai. I want everyone in Mumbai to be happy. Why should we have this kind of stress? Let's be patient and talk it out," he said.

On Jonathan Ross..

2010-02-07T01:53:00.001+08:00

He's quite a nice host. I normally don't like talk shows coz I find them to be quite boring, except when my fave actors are on air. And normally hosts like to put across provoking comments/questions. But Mr. R was all graciousness.. makes the show all that more enjoyable to watch. I pasted the other two guests' bits as well coz Shah Rukh's dimples were scattered quite randomly in between the shots.

Shows to watch out for.. pls, pls, pls..somebody upload them (and with Engl. sub!)

2010-02-07T01:50:00.000+08:00

Interview rounds

2010-02-07T01:48:00.003+08:00

I have this image of Shah Rukh going, "Ok..next, next, next" and all the endorsers lining up outside that studio room in Mannat waiting for their turn.. :P

2010-02-06T02:08:00.000+08:00

I'm breaking my own unspoken rule and publishing KJo's interview here..

2010-02-06T02:05:00.000+08:00

...coz I love KJo, some days more than I love Shah Rukh (don't kill me. He's too cute, I simply can't resist him), and coz it has stuff on movies they've made together, which is like all of the movies he directed..duh.

Promo is out!

2010-02-06T01:33:00.000+08:00

Abu Dhabi joins Fox Star Studios on My Name Is Khan

2010-02-04T20:58:00.000+08:00

Shah Rukh is so much a controversy generator that I half expected the people in his country to cry out in rage that MNIK is going to be shown in Abu Dhabi 2 days earlier than the rest of the world, including India. In fact, I've already thought out several angles for the flamers to approach this issue from.. you know, to save them the trouble of coming up with lame excuses for banning MNIK from being released in cinemas across several regions in the country. I'm being completely serious here.. no sarcasm at all, nope. I'm just an outsider.. what do I know of Indian politics?

Source

Imagenation Abu Dhabi has boarded My Name Is Khan alongside Fox Star Studios in the run-up to the release starring Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.

The film will receive its world premiere in Abu Dhabi on February 10 followed by the European premiere in Berlin two days later.

Khan plays an unconventional hero who embarks on a daunting journey across America to win back the love of his life. The film shows how the relationship between the Western world and Islam has changed in recent years through one family’s journey and how 9/11 impacted their lives.

“My Name Is Khan, at its core, an epic love story between two people who have a unique way of seeing the world, but what sets it apart is the landscape on which the story unfolds,” director Karan Johar said.

Khan and Kajol last starred together eight years ago in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… and have appeared together in a total of six films including My Name Is Khan.

Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, chairman of Imagenation Abu Dhabi, said: “We are very happy to work together with Fox Star Studios and believe that My Name Is Khan is a powerful and important film that the world must see.”

Fox Star Studios CEO Vijay Singh said: “My Name Is Khan is a very special film that brings together the finest Indian talent with a powerful story that will have relevance for audiences globally.”

Dishtv to pump in Rs 40 million to promote SRK's My Name Is Khan

2010-02-04T18:57:00.001+08:00

This article actually made me exclaim aloud that I want to be an Indian! I think it started with Lift Kara De. And now this. I may not want to pursue Shah Rukh at some nondescript place with an autograph book and a camera in my hands, but I do want to meet Shah Rukh in Mannat. Who doesn't?? T__T

Source

Dishtv has entered into a strategic marketing alliance with Fox Star Studios for the co-promotion of My Name is Khan. The company will spend approximately Rs 40 million (Rs 4 crore) in the marketing campaign.

The movie stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol and is directed by Karan Johar. Dishtv, which has Khan as its brand ambassador, will showcase exclusive interviews with Karan Johar and Khan as well as exclusive videos of Behind-The-Scenes of the film.

As part of the deal, Dishtv will have rights to telecast exclusive interviews with Johar, Khan and Kajol on its DTH platform. Through this tie-up, millions of Dishtv subscribers would get exclusive content including videos of behind the scenes of My Name is Khan.

As part of the tie-up, Dishtv has created a new TVC with Khan. Dishtv will also run a contest, wherein the participants will get a chance to meet Khan at his home - Mannat. The TVC has captured all the warm and affectionate moments in the movie and is in line with the new brand identity of Dishtv - Ghar Aayi Zindagi. The 30-second TVC went on air across TV channels from 1 February. Dishtv will also run a month-long 360 degree integrated marketing campaign across all India to co-promote the brand and the movie.

Dishtv COO Salil Kapoor said, "It's extremely exciting to be associated with Fox Star Studios for My Name is Khan - the most talked about and eagerly awaited magnum opus of the year. Shah Rukh Khan is Dishtv's brand ambassador and we are delighted to promote the movie My Name is Khan as it has a beautiful synergy with our brand positioning Ghar Aayi Zindagi. Dishtv will run a pan-India marketing campaign for which the company will spend around Rs 4 crore."

Fox Star Studios India head marketing distribution and syndication Vivek Krishnani said, "My Name is Khan is a film that will appeal to people of all age groups. Our promotional partnership with Dishtv will help us widen the reach of the film to a pan-Indian audience. My Name Is Khan has an incredible buzz on-ground and we are going all out to give it the best possible release, we are glad to be associated with like-minded partners like Dishtv and are thrilled with their support to co-promote the film."

Singing at MNIK press conference

2010-02-03T21:51:00.001+08:00

Just ignore this post..this is just me being weird, and bored.. as usual (hehe)

2010-02-03T10:47:00.004+08:00

There're fans who drove for 2 nights in a row just to catch a glimpse of him, and then there're fans like me who'd probably just look from afar even when he's by himself with no bodyguards surrounding him. Some may say I'm not a 'real' fan for not wanting to be in the same space as Shah Rukh.. but I do think he needs fans like me, as much as he needs fans like them. He needs to be pursued relentlessly, but he also needs to be left alone. All of us serve some purpose in our own way. I do think that most of the purposes are ours with no regard whatsoever to what he may feel about them, but is that bad? That's just us being human, IMO. Obnoxious and endearing at the same time. Humans fascinate me. I fascinate me. I'm happy being me, and I'm happy that Shah Rukh Khan is Shah Rukh Khan. Am I making sense? Probably not.. :P

I'm happy documenting his life in my blog, and now following him/writing to him on twitter. This feeling of happiness is real. I didn't make it up. I didn't have to force myself to smile when I read what he wrote, or hear what he said in an interview. It's a natural thing. And not just smile.. I always laugh my heart out when I detect a joke hovering in-between the lines or just blatantly out there for people with a clue to pick up on them. I cried when he was injured. I'm angry when he is cussed, insulted, despised. I'm bewildered when he's hated. I just want to be with him forever. But I also know there'll come a time when I'll drift away from his world. Change is inevitable. So before I change.. or he changes, so much so that I can't follow him anymore.. I'm determined to enjoy him now as much as I can in the only ways I can.

To actually believe that by watching all the 10 episodes of the Discovery Travel & Living series, or read his autobiography that will come out "next year for sure" (or so he said), one will know the real Shah Rukh Khan.. is a delusion of the highest degree. We are allowed to see only what he allows everyone to see. He may stay that way for some time in the future, but he will change too and those changes will probably not be documented. Comments like.. "But you said this before, and now you say this!" thrown at him really annoys me. No. People with no imagination is what really annoys me, coz they're inevitably the ones who always give out irritating comments like that. You know who else annoy me? People who think he's perfect. People who jump to his defense (especially when there's no need to do so).. not to defend him, but to show that they are his defenders. Just because the solar system revolves around Shah Rukh Khan, doesn't mean you can be some dust particles in the asteroid belt that zig-zag madly about and go collision-happy with any asteroid in your path. I have plenty of chill pills, if you gals/guys run out of supply.

You want to know why I love Shah Rukh Khan? Because he's always been consistent in showing to us how human he is. That he's imperfect. That he's NOT the hero he always portrays on the big screen. That he can get hurt, physically and emotionally. I love that it's completely okay for him to let us know that he's petty.. and arrogant.. and selfish.. and self-centered.. and completely focused in what he wants to do that everyone else can take a backseat (except his family who's his most important entity).. and that he loves his fans/friends/colleagues a lot as long as we understand that we don't own him. I love how he flaunts his stardom, his wealth, his fame to our faces.. and yet casually goes to public functions in his t-shirts and jeans as if he doesn't care that the image he projects makes him look exactly like the newcomer he was back when he first came to Mumbai nearly 20 years ago, minus the baby fat of course. I love his contradictions and his unyielding principles. I love how scandal-less he is despite being the star most embroiled in controversies. I love everything 2D that I know about him. I love that there's so much I don't know about him, 2D or otherwise.

Following Shah Rukh Khan is like following 20-50 celebrities at once. And that's just how I like things to be. My name may not be Khan, but I'm currently very happy.

I'm currently loving these little promo bits he does for the film...

2010-02-03T01:28:00.002+08:00

Now all the girls in the audience are gonna come to this promo event wearing full bridal attire.. :P

2010-02-03T00:30:00.001+08:00

The 20-year old Tillana Desai has started a trend. How many girls are Shah Rukh gonna marry in his next promo destination? :P

That said, I think Shah Rukh is truly brave to have gone through this. I think.. with lesser men.. they would have panicked when being surrounded by very VERY passionate girls all wanting to marry them. Remember The Bachelor?

But girls, however excited you are, please be careful not to pull any of his appendages. They're quite sensitive.. since most of them have gone through some sorta surgery. Yes, yes.. I have my serious face on while writing this.

To all the girls who got to marry Shah Rukh Khan.. CONGRATULATIONS!! I'm genuinely happy for you. May you have a happy wedded life. Had I been a cuter, more courageous and less shy person.. I would have loved to be on that stage singing "tujhe dekha to ye jaana sanam" to him and asking him to marry me too.

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol meet SAJA and SAMMA

2010-02-03T00:15:00.002+08:00

He talks so good.. na?! I love the way his words just seem to re-arrange themselves into the most coherent speech you have ever heard from a public personality. And he can give these beautiful speeches not only when he's talking about films (in terms of acting).. but sports, politics, finance, filmmaking aspects.. about all he's involved himself in, really.. which is like almost everything that has to do with the world of entertainment. Mmm.. according to me, politics is a form of entertainment. You don't believe me? Watch the news.

I think this is the best interview presentation I have ever seen of him. He looks so close to the camera, making the whole shot looks genuinely real. Don't know how to explain it, but the way they capture this interview makes me feel as if I were in the same room with them albeit a little bit further back. Nice.

Part 1

Part 2

Making of GQ magazine photoshoot

2010-02-02T20:50:00.001+08:00

SRK is the only superstar I know whose works (none of 'em stupid scandals stuff with this guy) are being actively monitored by fans all over the world down to an almost day to day basis. Proof is in these videos that get uploaded almost as the events happen/are broadcasted. I'm loving it so much!!

Why NASDAQ? Why?? But I'm happy they've got this massive coverage.. so cool!

2010-02-02T20:43:00.002+08:00

What a nice interviewer! And that bit about "what question should not be asked" probably means that she's a fan and has seen that MTV '60 second' clip.. :P

I love how Kajol impatiently cut in as Shah Rukh started to meander about (as he always does.. hehe)

There're a lot more on the net for anyone who feels like watching every related clip.

What does it mean by "marked for the month"?? Is he gonna appear non-stop in all those programs he mentioned?

2010-02-02T20:11:00.000+08:00

Interview during Billu release.. but there's also a bit of MNIK in it

2010-02-01T00:43:00.006+08:00

Extract of the GQ Interview

2010-01-31T23:40:00.000+08:00

I’ve a Strange Attachment to Socks: Shah Rukh (source)

Posted by Vamban on Jan 29th, 2010 18:05:02 and filed under Entertainment, National. ShareThis

New Delhi, Jan 29 – Thanks to his irrepressible sense of humour, Shah Rukh Khan comes across as an easy going person. But in real life the Bollywood star is little different and one of the things he is extremely finicky about is his socks.

‘I have a strange attachment to socks. They should feel right. I could be missing a flight, but if my socks are wrong, I have to take them off… I won’t wear nylon socks with sneakers. The only time I get disturbed during shooting is over my socks. I hate brown socks and different-coloured socks,’ said Shah Rukh said in an interview to the GQ magazine.

The interview will be published in the February issue of the lifestyle magazine.

In the interview, the 44-year-old also talked about his loneliness.

‘I can come across as a user, manipulator, disinterested, weird, reclusive, strange, arrogant from the outside. But the people involved know the truth…there are days I feel lonely on the inside. I guess that’s the way I am.’

‘I’ve never gotten into relationships because I’m scared to. I have a shield. I’ve lost my parents, so now I don’t like to lose relationships. I have to admit that at 44 I am socially and emotionally inept,’ said Shah Rukh.

The actor will be seen in his forthcoming film ‘My Name is Khan’, which is releasing Feb 12.

Directed by Karan Johar, the film features Shah Rukh as an unconventional hero Rizvan Khan, who embarks on a journey across America to win back the love of his life, played by Kajol. It shows how, along the way, his personality touches the lives of many and inspires a nation.

SRK Immortalised

2010-01-31T23:33:00.000+08:00

I like this statue better. Rockstar feel.. suits him more, I think. The Madame Tussauds one appears serious coz of the sombre attire.

My Name Is Khan' SRK KING KHAN 31 JAN INTERVIEW CENTURY PLY

2010-01-31T23:04:00.004+08:00

On the Couch with Koel - 2nd time

2010-01-31T22:58:00.000+08:00

NEXT

So? What are you waiting for?

2010-01-31T05:52:00.001+08:00

The brilliance of Shah Rukh Khan

2010-01-31T05:38:00.001+08:00

You can learn many things about him in this clip.. which you will have to probably unlearn come the next clip.. :P

The eyes of the people in the audience positively shone with anticipation during the whole act.
Shahid could do nothing but trail behind His Highness.
When Shah Rukh is after something, he's relentless. You either face him bravely or back out entirely.. the art of meeting halfway is lost on this guy.
I've never seen anyone who could handle a potentially explosive interview as suavely, entertainingly and positively as Shah Rukh has done here. I'd like to see someone else tries it.. ha!
Members of the film industry is very VERY lucky that Shah Rukh is firmly on THEIR side. Imagine someone like him running amok as a full-fledged member of the journalistic media...
He effortlessly turned an embarrassing memory filled with scornful sneer into one full of laughing camaraderie. Did he actually set out to accomplish this or did it happen accidentally? With Shah Rukh, one can never really tell.

I can't imagine the Bollywood scene without Shah Rukh in it. He has permeated every corner of my memory that has anything even remotely to do with Bollywood. Throughout the 90s he carried hindi cinema almost single-handedly on his shoulders, spilling his love all over the place even outside of his home country while he was at it. Despite so many attempts to undermine all his effort, he's shouldered through the bad times that come with the good as we entered the new millenium. I hope his shoulders are as tough as ever.. tougher in fact, since he's bionic now.. 20-30-40 years in the future. Will I still be here as his silent witness? Only time and fate will tell.

KJo revealing secrets about Shahrukh & Kajol - MNIK - CNN-IBN (full interview yet to be on air)

2010-01-31T04:32:00.001+08:00

Whatever else you think about any of these trio.. they're a highly entertaining bunch when grouped together *ish in stitches from laughing too much*

Update:
It's already out!

LoveGuru Shahrukh Khan - MNIK

2010-01-31T04:04:00.001+08:00

Several things I gotta say...

For someone who doesn't understand the language, hindi sounds so beautiful when I hear it from Shah Rukh.. coz he speaks so fast! Nobody speaks hindi as fast and loaded with as many interesting points as he does in impromptu interviews. He has at least 3 paragraphs ready for the the host 2 seconds before the question is to finish. And they're not necessarily politically correct all the time either.
The way he conveys his messages across... whether it's about movies, sports, business, rumours on his personal life, current world/national issues... makes me feel as if he's been fed the questions beforehand and spent the whole night searching for just the right words and practicing a coupla hours saying the lines in front of a mirror to come up with such answers. He sounds that prepared.
No matter how much in trouble he gets from his previous interviews, he'll just turn the situation around in his favour during his next ones.
He gave his MNIK promo schedule in this clip.. the full version to the one he briefly gave us in twitter.
I adore his love-hate interactions with the media. Wait for his punchline at the very end of this interview. And I do mean punch.. :P

Omi's Korner - Much ado about nothing..

2010-01-31T00:58:00.006+08:00

Know what? After roaming the net searching for gossips on Shah Rukh.. I've found out a vital thing. There is absolutely NOTHING to be found on him in the big bad cyber world. At least, not the type that usually plagues an actor.. oh, like rumoured scandals with co-stars or anyone of the opposite/same sex, fights in shooting locations, etc. etc. Yeah, yeah.. I know about his alleged off-screen 'practice' with Deepa Sahi to get the sex scene to look real.. or his rumoured affair with Karan Johar.. or...

Ok, that's all. Anyone can contribute anything else?

The only garbage that gets recyled every 3 months is his 'cold wars' with the Bacchans, the other two big Khans (one of which is now true, to the delight of quite a number of reporters suffering from writer's block coz yeay now they have something they can write over and over about ad nauseam and the articles are guaranteed to be read by the bored and unimaginative section of the masses), the new actors on the block, and....

Okkkay.. that's pretty much it. That's all the dirt I got on a man who's supposed to have a life like an open book. Doesn't make sense. But Shah Rukh seldom makes much sense to me. Why do you think I write about him so much?

What do I think about the Deepa Sahi angle? Well, that stuff is over a loooong time ago. Anyway, he walloped the ass off the reporter who wrote that stupid article and got arrested for it too. That's the 'jailed for a day' thing he talked about in his recent MNIK interview. It's also told in Anupama Chopra's King of Bollywood book, if I'm not mistaken. He still remembers you, reporter dude! Maybe he's forgotten your name (altho I honestly think he hasn't.. despite him always protesting that he's bad with names) but I bet he still remembers your face, and your newspaper, and the address of the place where you used to live.. if you've moved elsewhere. Incidentally, that's the first movie of his I watched.. yep, the uncut version coz I watched it on UK tv, don't remember which channel. She's the only woman Shah Rukh has ever kissed on the lips publicly (albeit fictionally), didja gals realise that? Not even Gauri has that over her. Bet it annoys a lot of people that he's so stubborn about getting the no-kissing clause in his contracts after Maya Memsaab, but I think..even that ultimately works in his favour. Coz he can be as erotic as he wants on-screen without getting into trouble later on. Clever guy.

About him supposedly being gay.. hmmm, it's true that the guys in his circle are not the most macho men on the planet: Karan Johar, Mushtaq Sheikh, Manish Malhotra, Shiamak Davar.. well, Arjun Rampal is considerably macho though while Saif has Kareena, so... ahhh, and those love messages to Abhishek in twitter are too casually given, aren't they? *grins* I also notice that guys can't seem to stop themselves from hugging him/holding his hands/grabbing his face/kissing his cheeks/checking him out.. in fact, there have been youtube comments by heterosexual guys admitting that they're turned on by him. See, when I think about it.. it seems that we're focusing on this issue from the wrong angle. I think it's not supposed to be "Is Shah Rukh gay?"... it should be "How much do you (manly men that you all are) want him to be gay?" ..ha!

What's my point in babbling all this? errrr...mmm...oh yes. Despite thriving in the prudishly strict media-policed world of the Bollywood entertainment industry for nearly 2 decades, being a celeb who has had more than 2 biographies written on him, and a life the public supposedly knows everything there is to know about.. that even he wrote in twitter to us fan + reporter followers something like: "You think therefore I am".. he's managed to escape unscathed year after year. Compare that to Tiger Woods who's currently languishing in a sex addiction rehab facility.. la la la la la. Shah Rukh is either THAT good.. or he's really totally squeaky clean *gasp*

I'm in despair of ever continuing my Omi's Korner, unless I change tact. And fast. So I've decided to focus on the controversy angle. It's pretty high-brow.. on the topics of religions, patriotisme, terrorism, sports, trade, yada yada yada.. I mean, seriously.. is this guy an actor or someone who runs for public office? So, I doubt my Omi's Korner is gonna be a popular section in this blog from now on given the discussion topic.. but what can I do? It's a life and death decision. And I chose to live the life of a bore, than to die a jester's death. Since I was born dull, this is not a difficult decision to make.. rather, it suits me just fine.. :P

speechless

2010-01-30T23:10:00.000+08:00

Is anyone else in awe of this picture as I am? This is a great concept. Great. Love the mussed-up hair. Love the expression. Love the 'arrest photo' setting with the mushy message. Love the "must be expensive though it looks like an attire for the homeless" suit over the simple t-shirt. Love the extracts from the interview that'll possibly disturb/turn off/rankle some people in and out of his inner circle. Tell you what.. if you've decided to love Shah Rukh Khan, you have to be ready to read/hear/watch anything.. whether you want to, whether you like to, whether you care to.. or not.

Why is he called the King, when he's obviously not? Because he IS. That's all.

Found it here

My Name is Khan - full SRK interview

2010-01-28T02:00:00.003+08:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

K Korner clips

2010-01-28T01:07:00.002+08:00

Bla bla bla about cricket

2010-01-27T03:53:00.005+08:00

For all my blogging last year about KKR, I'm a novice in cricket. Okay, honestly? I took an interest in cricket after Shah Rukh acquired a team for T20. I have absolutely zilch knowledge in the game. I tried to watch a cricket match when I managed to catch a tournament on cable in a hotel this one time last year, and I spent quite long minutes staring blankly at the screen, and in the end mumbled... what the heck is so exciting about this sport?? (forgive my ignorance, all cricket fans out there.. *sweat*)

And yet I continue to take an interest in it coz Shah Rukh still remains in T20. Hey, some love affairs begin like that. I fell in love with tennis after watching Sampras and his near-robotic sure-win play in Wimbledon. Even tried to play it, albeit goofily, with a friend. Also, my current univ seems to have a good cricket team and our VC takes quite an interest in it..posting about tournament updates every once in awhile in facebook. I'm still hoping I'll understand the game one day..soon. Esp now that Lalit Modi has promised us a free watch on youtube.

What gets on my nerves while I was watching cricket is.. there seems to be this "endless waiting for something that I don't know what" time. It's like watching baseball but with more players loitering around doing nothing. I'm more used to football-type sports where, even if you have nothing to do, you'll run around to make it seem to your fans/sponsors/teammates/coaches/team owners as if you're doing a worthwhile activity even though the ball rarely comes at you. I'm always cheering.. screaming.. mumbling.. jolted into silent vigorous hand-movement actions when the unexpected happens like every 2 minutes. With cricket, I keep staring and staring.. and staring some more. And then suddenly there's a cheer from the crowd and I'm like.. what? what? what just happened??

Anyway, I'm happy that there's no frivolous antics from my favourite cricket owner this year. No video. No crazy last minute announcement (although this can still happen, knowing Shah Rukh). No reality TV show. No incessant team promotion via numerous ads. Just some simple updates about how the team is doing. And I was like.. yes, that's the way to do it! please don't say anything explosive this year! just let the team do the talking during the championship. THEN!! ...

That auction fiasco had to happen. And Shah Rukh of course had to say something about it. When I clicked open that NDTV Q&A show and saw the video title.. I groaned aloud.. Nooooooo! Then I read that PZ and SS did a joint press conference to 'clarify' the issue. Arrrrgh! When will these celebs learn that nothing..absolutely nothing..they say will appease anybody or everybody. By trying to 'clarify'.. they'll just dig a deeper hole for themselves to be buried in later. Have you read any press statement on the issue by India Cements? Or Deccan Chronicle? Mmm.. you don't know who they are? Here.

There's no use trying to clarify an issue that can't be clarified. But I like the way Shah Rukh answered the query without answering it. He's brilliant at this PR stuff. Every time I watch him asks, "Am I gonna get into trouble for saying this?" ..I tell my computer monitor, "Yes Shah Rukh, you will. So please don't say it~" ..but of course he ignores me and says it anyway. To those who think he should "do something about it".. I suggest you grow up a little. It's too easy to see why a guy who's invested around 80 crores a year on a team out of his own pocket would be cautious in his financial endeavor. KKR faced this kind of problem before when, in 2009, Pakistani players were unavailable..resulting in Umar Gul's contract being suspended. Face it people.. this is not a knee-jerk reaction. It's a reaction based on a previous experience, so the owners are not to be entirely blamed.

Instead, why don't you blame the guys (it's always guys, isn't it?) who burned Lalit Modi's effigy? Or those who burned Mr. B's effigy.. and even Shah Rukh's posters in 2009? Or the gunmen who shot Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore (also in 2009)? With fire-happy/trigger-happy guys like you running amok and uncheck by any authority.. who would dare to bring Pakistani players to India or vice versa? Lalit Modi made IPL happen in South Africa last year despite the risk of heavy losses, mainly because of security issues. And now people are nonchalantly suggesting that the security of the players and the tournament should not be made into an issue. Delusional much?

Some people are asking, "why didn't the IPL committee tell the Pakistani players that they're not gonna be bought in the auction anyway, so there's no use in participating?" I'm speechless reading this. Do people think first before giving suggestions like this or they just like to pull crap outta their asses in the hope of provoking some suckers out there into responding so they can get into a net brawl coz they're too bored with their mundane life and need some virtual action? Can't you fathom the kind of uproar that kind of announcement will set off? Can't you fathom a world beyond your own nose?

In my opinion, Shah Rukh doesn't need to say anything. But I also think he has no way of escaping from being made to say something. I guess I'll just continue to be the somewhat silent reader/watcher of the whole drama that IPL never ceases to be year by year. This is, after all, the country that gives us Bollywood. Hopefully the team I support will not be affected by anything the team owner adamantly gets himself embroiled into (I can hope, can't I?) and give us a roaring game this year. If Deccan could do it, why can't KKR? (that's my constant mantra for the 2010 championship coz I'm an eternal optimist).

It's nearly 4am, and I have work to do and a persistent father to attend to tomorrow. Have a good week!

I don't know what is it about Pardes..

2010-01-24T23:41:00.006+08:00

I've finally bought a copy after losing my non-subtitled one years ago. I repeat: years ago. And my memory box is not exactly the greatest *pokes brain to see whether it's still alive* ..but I found myself subconsciously spouting some dialogues. Needless to say, I freaked out..while feeling thoroughly impressed with myself.

Can I say Arjun is my most favourite character out of all the ones Shah Rukh has played? If someone were to go.. "but he didn't like that role!" ..I'd go: Precisely! That he could dislike a role or be so uncomfortable with playing it..and still affect me so much by the end of the movie, is a testament to his acting prowess. P/S: Those who're not affected by his acting prowess and about to type something to that effect can just forget it. I'll only delete your comment later and that's too much work for me. Why delete? Coz I can.. that's why.. \(^o^)V

I cried buckets in certain scenes..then rewinded them and cried again afresh. I watched K3G, Baadshah and Pardes this weekend.. and he managed to wring tears from me every time. Yes, yes.. even in Baadshah, which is not supposed to be a movie that should cause anyone to cry, right? Errr.. right? Neeways, no one else has been able to make me feel this much in such a short time span. Ok, I lied. My family can, but that's besides the point.

What it would be like to have an Arjun in my life. Someone who could grasp a blade with his bare hand and swear that his blood would flow before mine were shed. Someone who would keep a leaf I thoughtlessly gave him as if it were a treasured possession for years afterwards. Someone who would drop everything and go on a wild goose chase to find me when I disappeared without a reason. Someone who could sense my discomfort with the slightest change in my facial expressions. In real life, we have our loved ones. But Arjun is an ideal (despite his lying ways when it comes to his venerable daddy ^^;).. hai na? I doubt I can find someone like him in my vicinity. Sorry hubby dearest... but that's how it is.

Movies are supposed to make you feel. I have a theory about movies. Humans are equipped with a riot of emotions, and rarely do we get to experience them all. And let's be honest.. do you want to know how it feels to be angry at a rapist, if the rape happened to involve someone you're close to?? What about the sadness of losing parents.. or trauma when your entire family was massacred by hired killers? Or the despair in having brothers who had to kill each other coz one is a cop and the other is a criminal? Movies let you feel all these.. but without the danger of suffering violent repercussions or post-traumatic stress later. Movies are cathartic coz when we vent on the characters as if they were real people, we feel guiltless since they're not actually real. They're make believe, but they're also based on real people out there. People whom you wish you'd never meet in your lifetime. People whom you wish could be your companions for life.

This is my favourite song from Pardes. I love this line the most.. every time I listen to the song/read the verse, I feel as if my entire being were sucked softly, softly into the whirl of purity that it conveys: "If you're interested in this life, then be prepared to die.."

And the best reason a lover can give for falling in love: "I shouldn't have, but I have.." and I love this thought: "If there is anything that does, it's love that recognises the feelings of a lover.." Vah, vah.. kya baat hai, kya baat hai. I love the lyrics so much. Wish I could write as good a verse as this one has aplenty of.

I can't write a short review on Pardes coz it will just turn out to be as longish as these ones. This is not even a review, and it's already turned out to be a long one *sweat*. But if you enjoy Shah Rukh's performances (I know quite a number of people are allergic to them.. for some unfathomable reason), I'd highly recommend this movie for you. Have fun watching!!

Rant.. rant.. rant

2010-01-24T22:38:00.020+08:00

The reviews of Veer are out, and it's declared a flop (while in some other article, it was reported to gross higher than WANTED.. huh? WANTED is supposed to be a BB hit.. so I'm confused now). Why am I writing about Veer here in my SRK blog? Coz I increasingly find this 'fight' between which movie does better in gross than the other entirely ridiculous. I'm writing this because 3 Idiots was reported to be reaching the 400 crore bracket and I have a hunch (more like a premonition) that MNIK revenue will be compared severely to it. If MNIK scores better than 3 Idiots, will it make the latter a worse movie? No. It's as nice a movie as it was before MNIK's release. Shah Rukh gave a bullseye analogy about this when he talked to India Today Conclave 2009 (it's in there somewhere) on the story of two artists and a painting. Some people should listen to that and reflect before they froth at the mouth arguing over unnecessary things.

I'm not a student of economics, but even I know that for an industry to do well, more films should do well. Be it produced by whoever, acted in by whoever..if only a handful of (big) films work consistently, without any care being given to the small ones, the thoughtful ones, even the cliched ones...the future of films from that industry will be affected. Why? Because businessmen hate to lose money, and they will follow the formulas of the films that worked, not the ones that failed.. which is why we have Transformer 2 and Pirates of the Caribbean 3 (can I go off-tangent by asking why oh why has my dearest Johnny agreed to the 4th installment?? Enough already!!). Did the films flop only because they suffer from bad plots and untalented actors? Not necessarily. Sometimes the money game just didn't work. Remember what KJo said about Kurbaan?: "It was a cinematic success, although a box office failure."

Would 3 Idiots work that well without Aamir at the helm? Despite it being a nice story, I doubt it. This tradition of supporting only a cluster of popular actors has broken the hearts of many talented hopefuls and in a world that's increasingly becoming too open where entertainment is concerned, the younger generation may soon feel restless and start searching for new types of cinema from outside of India. Heck, with the click of several buttons I can watch any movie I want: thai, french, chinese, hong kong, english, japanese, korean.. anything. For FREE! Who cares that it's only 425 x 344? I just want to know the frelling story. In a perhaps-not-too-distant future where domestic products may no longer hold monopoly over cinema halls across India, will the industry face the danger of collapsing? Complaints are already voiced out over the double-bladed effect the multiplexes are having over the fate of small movies. Which is why I think the 'call' from fans to avoid certain films and go for certain films.. ONLY to support their favourite actors!!.. is at best childish and at worst destructive.

Let all films be successful! Let them all earn big bucks! If it grosses 200 crore less than the next one (e.g. Ghajini vs. 3 Idiots) or 30 crore less than the next one (RNBDJ vs. Ghajini), rejoice that the combined gross will go back to the industry for the next filmmakers to produce better films. Stop comparing hindi movies to Hollywood ones too. The western filmmakers do turn to Asian cinema for stories, you know... and the adaptations suck big time. So don't tell me: Hollywood = lotsa talent + great stories. And stop saying that "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" is an excellent chinese movie! Are you out of your friggin mind?? Have you watched Once Upon A Time in China (the first one)? Or Drunken Master (the first one)? Or any of the kung fu drama from Hong Kong? I'm telling you.. even the suckiest VFX from a small HK drama is preferable to CTHD..at least to me. Let's forget the reason (if there is any) why Chow Yun Fat was cast as the lead, shall we? Or I'd go off on another tangent here. And don't get me started on Hollywood adaptations of Korean & Japanese horror movies...grrr. There's something in hindi cinema that the western cinema will never capture. That something made me cry, laugh, angry, etc. at exactly the same scenes even after the 10th watch. Which I've never experienced with a western film, or any film from other countries actually (yep, including my country). Find that something and emphasize on it. You will have yourself a great movie.

This habit of obsessively comparing one actor to another, one movie to another, one country's film industry to another.. it takes the fun of just enjoying a good story out of the equation, dude. I cried when I watched Wake Up Sid. I laughed so hard I nearly fell off my chair several times when I watched Partner. I stared unblinkingly in awe at the scene where Krrish meets his father face-to-face for the first time. Good stories are there to be enjoyed! ENJOYED, you hear me??! Trade pundits can discuss BO flops or hits of films for all their worth coz THEY GET PAID FOR IT! Us fans, all we should do is just go watch the movies and have fun discussing them later. We're not having fun with all the stupid brawling we're having on and off the internet over who's better: Shah Rukh, Aamir, Salman, Amitabh, Hrithik, Ranbir, Akshay, etc. ad nauseam. And lemme tell you this.. to put Amitabh Bachchan in the same clause as those other names is an insult to the legend that he is. Come back to me 20 years in the future and tell me whether they are still hard at work doing movies, the way Amitji is still doing now. Until then, shut up.

Ok, I'm done. Dunno when the next rant will be, though.. :P

UPDATE: Aha! Just found this. I must be psychic.

Quote of the day...

2010-01-24T21:19:00.002+08:00

Source

"You can't help liking Shah Rukh Khan. He is so unaffected by stardom. He has this certain detachment from his success that's so astonishing."

SRK's message to SRK.ORG members

2010-01-23T12:28:00.000+08:00

This is from last year?

Tributes

2010-01-23T12:27:00.002+08:00

Shahrukh Khan's salute to Yash Chopra - Zee Cine Awards 2006 - Part 2

Shahrukh Khan's salute to Yash Chopra - Zee Cine Awards 2006 - Part 3 ( darr )

Shahrukh Khan's salute to Yash Chopra - Zee Cine Awards 2006 - Part 4 ( silsila )

Shahrukh Khan's salute to Yash Chopra - Zee Cine Awards 2006 - Part 5 ( dil to pagal hai )

Part 6 unavailable

Shahrukh Khan's salute to Yash Chopra - Zee Cine Awards 2006 - Part 7 ( veer zaara )

Shahrukh Khan's salute to Yash Chopra - Zee Cine Awards 2006 - Part 8 ( Bunty aur Babli )

Shahrukh Khan's salute to Yash Chopra - Zee Cine Awards 2006 - Part 9 ( DDLJ & Waqt )

VARIOUS

Yash Johar -Shahrukh Khan in Yash Johar Lifetime Achievement

Amitabh Bacchan - Don: The Chase Begins Again

Shah Rukh is on up to 3:46

2010-01-23T11:37:00.001+08:00

Some fun stuff I found..

2010-01-23T11:32:00.000+08:00

MKMM extract

2010-01-23T10:53:00.001+08:00

I find it very amusing that those who keep taking Shah Rukh's hand and dragging him on the stage were the men. Sorry dudes.. he's not interested in a dostana relationship.. :P

I don't think he really took off his shirt as the reports said..just the suit. What do you think?

I can't believe they let him be a host again.. LOL~

2010-01-23T10:47:00.001+08:00

You know how this equation looks like?

Shah Rukh + anyone = highly entertaining hosting job in award functions

Cute Shah Rukh in cute song~

2010-01-23T10:44:00.001+08:00

The only award function Shah Rukh has hosted without any controversy? (how boring...)

2010-01-23T10:34:00.000+08:00

Wait for it!!

I love Shah Rukh in spectacles. Makes me scream out "Ojii-san!!" every time.. :P

What is this about? ish an ignorant alien

2010-01-23T10:26:00.000+08:00

On the subject of perfection...

2010-01-23T10:00:00.002+08:00

Just musing aloud..

Shah Rukh tweeted on Jan 18th:

"perfection is so boring. jagged..raw..unfinished..tainted...so much more to complete for the beholder with his/her imagination."

..and of course the Indian media picked that up as an 'attack' against Aamir Khan. Since I'm not one of the thousands of people who believe that Aamir Khan is Mr. Perfection.. and I seriously don't understand how Salman got sucked into this equation too (maybe the 'boring' part?).. I find the media's take on the subject at worst laughable..and at best, highly amusing.

I'm not a sociology scholar who can discuss on the concept of perfection, but I've found a nice article on it. I like what he says about it:

"The ideal is impossible. According to the photo chart, all of the women at the top still fall short of the ideal. Yet when the ideal, the normative definition of perfection, is achieved, it looks weird and is unappealing. The ideal is, well, not ideal (take that Baudrillard). Transhumanists are acutely aware of the unreality of perfection."

I dunno what a transhumanist is, but the guy talks sense.. yaar. The post was on a study of trying to combine 40 ideal women to get the most definitively beautiful woman in the world.. In his next post, he put up a file emphasizing his argument.

Anyway, I doubt our idea of perfection is the same as Shah Rukh's idea of perfection. Take his accomplishments, for example. As an obsessed fan of Shah Rukh, and a student, I think I understand what he means when he says he's not as intelligence/good at business/etc. as people think he is.

His brilliance is obviously at a level higher than average people.. and what you or me think can be called satisfactory, for him it's probably just below average. When he says he's not good with numbers and names, he probably means he can't memorize more than 500 digits in pi or more than 10,000 contacts stored in his digital archive (have you watched this interview? What kind of crazy memory is that?? Well, I dunno about anyone else, but I'm fuzzy about what I did last week..never mind 20 years ago). When he talks about being good in business, he'll compare himself to the billionaires, multi-millionaires, or anyone much above his income bracket. When he talks about being smart, he'd look towards those personalities who've won Noble Prizes/international recognitions/etc. But he'd also be overjoyed when he can solve his children's schoolwork.

He's humble, and yet he's not. But that's how most things usually go with Shah Rukh. He's like a coin, or that puzzle cube in K-20.. all his faces/facets/personas can rush out and embrace you like a storm. And I don't think any of us would want to have it any other way

Mini pic spam~

2010-01-23T07:39:00.000+08:00

..no, Shah Rukh still hasn't given his photos. I found these elsewhere...

Found it here

It's raining Khan!

2010-01-21T08:55:00.001+08:00

..ok, maybe not raining coz I only have 2 pictures to share, if you haven't seen them already that is ^^;

(courtesy of @putlu1 & @kjohar25) Even though I'm not a Khan, I still want this t-shirt! Does it come in black background?

It's an old picture but what the heck.. I love it~ (esp the gold tie)

...and yes, I'm posting from work. Have to go b4 somebody catch me loitering on the net.. bye! *runs*

Need a change..

2010-01-21T07:07:00.002+08:00

Must be coz I'm getting old. The tiny letters of that blog format are starting to get on my nerves, so I dumped it for a new one. Now it's very minimal, coz I dunno know how to edit html, and stretches on to forever (or at least up to the limit of your monitor). Can't believe how much everything is emphasized when there's a white background as support.

Shah Rukh promised us some pictures yesterday but he couldn't give them this morning.. so the pictures (picture?) have to wait until tomorrow. The fail whale appeared several times during the course of the chat.. haha. The 'airwave' must be jammed due to our humongous tweeting activity. It's a GIANT CHAT ROOM!! Now the rate has increased to more than 60 tweets/sec. Cool..

I've abandoned the disheartening feeling of never having Shah Rukh read anything I write and just tweet for all its worth. Just do it!! I think the only time he has to actually sit and read whateva's in his twittbox is during these live sessions, so I'll be positive about it. I hope y'all be positive about it too and stop asking him to reply to you every 2 seconds or babbling about how he's never gonna read your tweets..yada yada yada (yes, I have the twitter search page turned on 24-7 and laid side-by-side to his). Don't waste your time with that kinda garbage when it's your (only?) opportunity to communicate with him...ON (almost) A DAILY BASIS.

(I love how he ordered Karan Johar around on twitter :P *ish amused*)

Have to go to school now.. my carriage awaits! (and 'the driver' has been poking me every 2 seconds to get ready ^^;;)

Omi's Korner - Chapter 3

2010-01-16T22:45:00.009+08:00

Dulha Mil Gaya reviewed.."sleep walk through a role and yet be bloody convincing"?? Is that a compliment or an insult, Mr. Omar 'I dunno why I talk like a robot' Qureshi?

Shah Rukh Khan missed the premier of the movie he nearly lost his arm acting in and nobody wrote an article commenting/speculating/rumour-mongering about it?? Hmmm... interesting.

Even though every one keeps harping on about the SRK-Aish jodi and how much they want to see the hot on-screen couple whose personal & professional relationshipships were broken apart (by the messed up, drunken then-boyfriend on the set of Chalte Chalte) and that they have supposedly become amiable with each other after what seemed like foreva coz Aish was so determined to be such a victim about it.. Shah Rukh finally clarified in Jan 16th tweet to a question posed by fans that sadly.. no, Aish is not gonna make an appearance in Ra-1. Boo hoo.

What is this? Where did this rumour of Shah Rukh playing The Peacemaker between Vivek and Abhishek come from?? Vivek is being such a good little boy now (he looks the part too, awww..so cute~). I have no idea why Shah Rukh is rooting so much for him, but we'll just have to trust his judgement coz his reputation of being a star-maker does precede him, not just of actors.. but directors and choreographers as well. I just hope that next time Vivek won't get into anymore trouble in his professional life just coz he's adamant to mix business with pleasure like he did in the past. Learn the code, Vivek~ ..or else the backlash will be fearsomely pricey.

Shah Rukh clarified that there's no feud between him, Farah Khan and her husband.. AGAIN (1:02-1:50). He had replied before... I mean, seriously.. how many times are they gonna make him come up with various versions of the same answer?? Despite him being one of the most articulate, wittiest guys on earth (according to me), the man has a boredom button just like the rest of us. Stop it with the pushing already!

Omi's Korner - Chapter 2

2010-01-16T15:26:00.005+08:00

Why do good things always come in three's? There's Shah Rukh-Kajol-KJo, and then there's Shah Rukh Khan-Salman Khan-Aamir Khan. Even the Bacchans come in as a power of three (Jaya auntie doesn't count coz she's not actively acting anymore).

I think the top stars held some kinda secret meetings end of last year and decided that for 2010, they're all gonna be praising each other's movies and attending each other's premieres.. starting with Paa and ending in MNIK, I think. Kites is in a different league coz Hrithik, who once was always pitted againts Shah Rukh, has managed to steer clear of the confrontation with the sheer power of his iron will (with no help from Papa Roshan, thank you very much).

It all started when Big B blew a huge honk over at his residence in bigadda.com that he had invited Shah Rukh and Aamir to his premiere (what, no Salman?)
Everyone (except non-moronic people like me) waited with baited breath to see Shah Rukh, Aamir and Amitabh in the same frame, but alas.. Aamir was too importantly busy to watch other star's movie until the end credit.. saying, "As Mr Bachchan had invited me, so I came to attend the premiere," ..yeah, whateva. I think the commentator said it (1:42 - 1:60) better than I ever could.
Which left us with Shah Rukh's magnanimously sweet and humble presence..and that's how I like it anyway. Infact, Shah Rukh took it further when he asked for extra passes for his family! Love the way he just went.. "this is boring talk~" at the reporters when they started asking him about the non-feud between him and Aamir. You rock my sox, sir!
Then it's time for 3 Idiots. And Shah Rukh came to the premiere and hugged everyone, including Aamir Khan! *gasp* ..he even told us that story about him having Aamir & Juhi as movie idols when he was in college which, if you've read his 4 kg biography by Mushtaq (Still Reading Khan), is entirely true. Mushtaq wrote (in the The Others chapter, I think) how Shah Rukh was so obsessed with reaching Aamir's level that he vowed to "destroy" the guy one day when he just started his film career. This hot exclamation is on par with the now-famous "I'm going to own this city one day" promise he made when he was down and out and frustrated during his search for Gauri in Mumbai. I love his hot spighit. Wish my thanda soul is as warm as his is.
Oh, Salman came to the 3 Idiots premiere too but he was never anywhere near SRK at any time during the launch. And huh.. no Amitabh?
This nice gesture was reciprocated by Aamir when he said how he's confident that MNIK's gonna be bigger than 3 Idiots. Sir, it's not rocket science that MNIK is gonna be bigger than 3 Idiots based on its marketing strategy alone so us fans have kinda figured that out from the start. But thanks anyway for the vote of confidence.
Not to be left behind, Salman reportedly called up Karan Johar to tell him that he likes the MNIK promo and that he 'loves' Shah Rukh Khan in the movie (the way they frame that one word in this news clip is so hysterically filmi)... awwww. Is it coz of the eyes too this time?
What else could Shah Rukh do but return the compliment? I mean, what else can you say but give praise when it comes to a film that prides itself for injuring so many people, innocent bystanders + annoying reporters + bothersome stalkers alike, even before it's released? I too think it's such an original campaign that only Salman can carry it out with such style and panache. He comes out of it all looking like a winner. Uhuh.

The 'Old Man' of Bollywood

I'm gonna shift base

Speed dancing

Watching Mumbai Indians totalled Kolkata Knight Riders

I watched this in BBC World News yesterday and the title of the film was said very clearly.. "ra.one"

IPL 3 KKR (2010) - Match Reports

IPL 3 KKR (2010) - Match Schedule

If you believe in something, go for it: Shah Rukh Khan

Back!

Quote by Sanjay Leela Bhansali

interview with Farkhan Akhtar

I take advice from SRK: Farhan

interview with KJo

HOUR QUESTION

"Living with a Superstar: Shah Rukh Khan" interview with the documentary maker

Shah Rukh Khan speaks to masala.com in Abu Dhabi

Source

No thermal underwear for Shah Rukh Khan

My kids are my best friends: Shah Rukh Khan

Fan frenzy at film’s first official screening

Source

Quotes

'Jai Maharashtra', says SRK's wife after My Name Is Khan release

Shah Rukh Khan: Love will keep us alive...

Quote of the Day

Shah Rukh Khan talks about MY NAME IS KHAN

Shah Rukh Khan interview

Shah Rukh on “My Name is Khan’ Role: ‘There’s Nothing Heroic About It’

MNIK - Shah Rukh Khan Greetings to Germany

The Making of My Name is Khan

I think Shah Rukh is in dire need of a PR officer (I volunteer for that job! Please take me! I can even work for free!)

AVS Interview with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol

My name is Ami, and I'm not a terrorist..

I'm going to the movie!!

Omi's Korner: Chapter 4 - I wanted to close this issue yesterday..

My Name is Khan premiered in Abu Dhabi

My Name is Khan (MNIK) screening in Malaysia

His Name Is Khan (And It's One You Might Know)

Ok, I cracked. But how could I resist it when there's a fresh new 'mini' controversy right out of the oven!

Extract of the MNIK Press Conference in Abu Dhabi

This was my question on facebook! O well.. I guess either it's not as exclusive as I thought or someone pinched it. But I'm happy it was asked and answered :D

Shah Rukh has finally learnt the fine art of saying, "No comment." :P

SRK: I never look at the script

Kajol - On SRK in MNIK

Shahrukh Khan On Vodafone MTV IMix

Lux Cozi Ad

O God.. I'm bloody boring..

Shah Rukh for politics!! (I would have voted for this had I been a citizen of India)

SRK & family at Maharashtra State open Taekwondo competition

When is it gonna be released in Malaysia?? *waits impatiently*

Picture of a proud father~

ATTENTION!!

It's out! It's out! Interview with Rajeev Masand

The show that started it all..

I watched this video very sombrely...

Awesome!

Just like that, he solved it. Can I just say.. I'm in awe?

On Jonathan Ross..

Shows to watch out for.. pls, pls, pls..somebody upload them (and with Engl. sub!)

Interview rounds

I have this image of Shah Rukh going, "Ok..next, next, next" and all the endorsers lining up outside that studio room in Mannat waiting for their turn.. :P

I'm breaking my own unspoken rule and publishing KJo's interview here..

Promo is out!

Abu Dhabi joins Fox Star Studios on My Name Is Khan

Dishtv to pump in Rs 40 million to promote SRK's My Name Is Khan

Singing at MNIK press conference

Just ignore this post..this is just me being weird, and bored.. as usual (hehe)

I'm currently loving these little promo bits he does for the film...

Now all the girls in the audience are gonna come to this promo event wearing full bridal attire.. :P

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol meet SAJA and SAMMA

Making of GQ magazine photoshoot

Why NASDAQ? Why?? But I'm happy they've got this massive coverage.. so cool!

What does it mean by "marked for the month"?? Is he gonna appear non-stop in all those programs he mentioned?

Interview during Billu release.. but there's also a bit of MNIK in it

Extract of the GQ Interview

SRK Immortalised

My Name Is Khan' SRK KING KHAN 31 JAN INTERVIEW CENTURY PLY

On the Couch with Koel - 2nd time

So? What are you waiting for?

The brilliance of Shah Rukh Khan

When is it gonna be released in Malaysia?? waits impatiently

speechless

What is this about? ish an ignorant alien