Exclusive: Details of Discovery's docu on Shah Rukh Khan

Discovery Travel & Living has tentatively titled the documentary around actor Shah Rukh Khan as Living with a Superstar. The documentary, on the life of Khan, is being produced by Red Chilles Idiot Box.

Traversing four continents with the actor, the documentary is about Shah Rukh Khan - the businessman (shot in South Africa during IPL), Shah Rukh Khan - the global phenomenon (shot in USA), Shah Rukh Khan - the family man (shot in London) and Shah Rukh Khan - the actor (shot in India).

Reveals a unit hand, "We started shooting for the documentary in Mumbai when he was shooting the music video for Kolkata Knight Riders. From there we went to South Africa. That was a revelation as SRK's team was not playing really well."

The unit then followed SRK to San Francisco, where he was shooting for Karan Johar's My Name is Khan. Intimate details of the actor have been shot. We were told, "SRK is a star without any superstar tantrums. He traveled in one car with his man Friday and security officer. A very neat and tidy person, SRK's needs are scarce. He drinks at least 20 small cups of cold coffee with many many cigarettes. On the set, the unit followed him as he gave his shots or when he chatted with Karan in between takes."

The final leg of the documentary was shot in London, which has captured SRK with his family. From teaching his daughter Suhana to cycle to playing games with his son Aryan at Hyde Park… from cycling in the middle of the night to lunches at cafes with wife Gauri and his children, this footage has been regarded as "unseen and priceless."

Currently the documentary is being edited in Delhi, before work commences on the final leg of shooting. The documentary is a six part series of one hour each. A condensed version will also be telecast on Discovery Travel & Living some time next year.

My Name is Khan's connection with Slumdog

Karan Johar will be going global with his movie My Name is Khan very soon. There had been speculations abound whether Karan would be selling the world rights of the film to Yash Raj Films or to his new business associate UTV (they have tied up for Qurbaan and Wake Up Sid). But it is now learnt that Karan is tying up with a big international distribution company for the movie. This company is none other than Fox Studios. Apparently, they have already bought Karan’s My Name Is Khan for a whopping Rs.100 Crore.

Multiple Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire was a Fox product and the aggressive manner for which the studio is known to promote their films worldwide; one is sure My Name Is Khan will definitely be on everyone’s lips the world over, at the time of its release. With its topical theme and world’s most popular actor Shahrukh Khan in it, we won’t be surprised if the movie shatters box-office records worldwide, apart from generating critical acclaim just like Fox’s Slumdog Millionaire.

However, Karan Johar states that he is still working that out! My Name Is Khan is releasing either by the end of January or in February. A month of shoot is still left. Karan’s film is set against the 9-11 terror attacks and its impact on an Indian Muslim living in the US. It is being touted as the most awaited releases of the year. The film also stars Shahrukh Khan and Kajol in the lead after a gap of eight long years.

SRK takes Gauri for a ride!

Now we're sure you haven't seen these pics! Late Tuesday night, superstar Shah Rukh Khan was seen driving his white BMW convertible, with wife Gauri beside him. In the rear seat were Chunkey Pandey and his wife Bhavna. Well, the four were actually leaving from Sanjay Kapoor's housewarming party. Also seen were Manish Malhotra, Karan Johar and Harman Baweja. Take a peek!

Seated behind were good friends Chunkey and Bhavna Pandey

Shah Rukh Khan was seen taking wife Gauri for a drive in his BMW convertible last nite!

Manish Malhotra and Karan Johar seen waiting for SRK with host Sanjay Kapoor

Update: Are SRK and ASH doing a film together

Ash and SRK are set to star in a film produced by Red Chillies Entertainment. They were last seen in Devdas in 2002.

Shah Rukh’s currently busy with My Name Is Khan while Ash is busy with Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, Shankar’s Robot and Vipul Shah’s Action Replay. She will also start working on Ritesh Sidhwani produced Crooked with hubby Abhishek and Bhansali’s Guzaarish with Hrithik.

Sources say that Ash may star opposite SRK in sci-fi flick Ra 1, SRK’s home production or it could be a new film altogether. In Ra 1, SRK plays father to a teenage son and Ash could easily play a hot mamma.

SRK and Ash had no qualms about working together until Salman Khan threw a fit on the sets of Chalte Chalte which resulted in Ash’s ouster from the film. The role then went to Rani Mukerji.

This created a rift between SRK and Ash and SRK and Salman. The latter made up a few years later at Farah’s sangeet ceremony to fight again at Katrina’s birthday bash last year. SRK and Ash made up at Karan Johar’s birthday bash earlier this year. Gentlemanly SRK apologized to her for having wronged her. He also buried the hatchet with the Bachchans when he attended the Drona premiere last year.

Thus the seven year cold war between the two superstars has come to an end and it is only a matter of a year or two before they sparkle on the silver screen again.

SRK beats Aamir in distribution war!

Khan war is on! And SRK wins this time. While Aamir Khan's blockbuster Ghajini's global distribution rights were sold SRKfor Rs 90 crore, Shah Rukh Khan's My Name is Khan is getting a 100-crore deal from Fox Star Studios.

This is the highest price paid by a distributor for any Bollywood film ever.

In a way, My Name is Khan is already a hit even before hitting the theatres as the cost of the film is estimated to be around Rs 50 crore.

Datuk Shah Rukh makes RM50,000 donation to Malaysian sports foundation

Shah Rukh Khan has always been a sports enthusiast. Whether it's cricket or soccer, the actor has always supported all kinds of sports.

Recently the Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak invited SRK for his birthday celebrations. During his stay, Shah Rukh made a donation of RM50,000 to National Athletes Welfare Foundation of Malaysia.

Rani Mukerji accompanied SRK for the event where he handed over the cheque and spoke about his love for sports. He said that he hoped his donation would help fund programmes and schemes set up for athletes in the country.

The sports minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek briefed Rani and Shah Rukh about the 1 Ringgit, 1 Malaysia campaign which was set up to help collect donations for former athletes.

Shah Rukh was addressed as Datuk Shah Rukh at the event. He'd received the honorary title from the government last year.

SRK-Ash to star in film together

Seven-year cold war has indeed ended

Their seven-year-old cold war has finally ended and Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai will be seen together in SRK’s home production. Shooting for the film will start in 2010.

Years ago, Aishwarya’s sudden ouster from “Chalte Chalte” led to a professional breakup between the two. In fact, the subsequent cold war between Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh only made matters worse.

But now SRK and Ash have buried the hatchet and come together once again.

Shah Rukh's 'Fauji' sequel to air on Colors

We had first reported that Shah Rukh Khan is producing Fauji – the show that announced the arrival of King Khan himself in 1988.

Shah Rukh's 'Fauji' sequel to air on Colors

Contrary to earlier speculation where it was buzzed that the show will air on NDTV Imagine, Fauji is now all set to launch on Colors. Col.Kapoor, who had conceptualised, produced and acted in the original series, has handed over the production reigns to Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Idiot Box.

When contacted now, Col. Kapoor said, "I can't disclose anything to you now. All I can tell you now is that we've started working on 'Fauji'. You please contact Red Chillies for all details."

Sources though have it that Colors has liked the concept but have asked the producers to work more on the script.

EXCLUSIVE: Rajeev Masand spoke to BBC about SRK's 'My Name Is Khan'

Rajeev Masand spoke to BBC Asian Network about Shahrukh Khan’s upcoming film My Name Is Khan directed by Karan Johar.

Rajeev who has apparently watched a 3 minute long clip with Karan Johar, reveals quite a few details on the highly anticipated film.

The shooting for My Name Is Khan is almost complete and Karan along with the cast and crew of the film, returned to Mumbai after shooting for more than 40 days in San Francisco (US).

Have a look at the video:

UPDATE: My Name is Khan for Rs 100 crore

There's a reason why they call him King Khan even today and when he teams up with longtime friend and Bollywood's hottest producer-director Karan Johar it's a formula for blockbusters.

And that's reason enough for Fox Studio to put its money in what could arguably be the biggest Bollywood deal ever.

Fox is all set to acquire the worldwide rights of Karan Johar's Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer My Name is Khan for a record Rs 100 crore. That's more than double the budget of the film.

"It will be a very big deal for Fox. It catapults them to the big league. It can't get bigger than KJo, SRK in Bollywood," said Komal Nahata, Film Trade Analyst.

Such a big buyout especially when many producers have failed to seal deals will certainly raise eyebrows and reiterate King Khan's saleability factor in the box office.

Till date Aamir Khan's Ghajini (Rs 90 crore0 has topped the buyout list, Om Shanti Om (Rs75 crore) stood second highest followed by Akshay Kumar's Singh is Kinng (Rs 60 crore) and Welcome (Rs 40 crore).

But for Fox Star Studio that's Fox's Joint Venture with STAR is a high stakes game. After the runaway success of Slumdog Millionaire, Fox clearly leads the pack compared to its global rivals Warner Bros and Sony whose Hindi productions Sawariya and Chandni Chowk To China have all bombed at the box office.

But experts say with SRK's global popularity, My Name is Khan will be one of the highest grossers for the overseas Box Office. No wonder Fox is betting on a 2010 project of SRK despite the rather lukewarm response of his Billu and Rab Ne Bana De Jodi.

Shahrukh Khan in Tamil film

Shahrukh Khan is busy shooting for Karan Johar's My Name is Khan. And we may soon get to see King Khan in a new avataar in a Tamil film.

Well, if reports are to be believed, it might soon happen. What reports? The makers of Ajith starrer Asal are making every effort possible to contact SRK and request his cameo appearance in Asal.

It may be noted that Ajith was earlier a part of SRK's Asoka as his younger brother. And now, King Khan may just decide to return the favour. No confirmation has been received from the SRK camp so far, but it could happen.

Asal has Ajith and Sameera Reddy in the lead and is produced by Sivaji Productions.

Shahrukh Khan: ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' sung at Malaysian PM's b'day bash

‘Badshah' of Bollywood was invited as the guest of honour at the birthday celebrations of Malaysia's Prime Minister Datukshri Najib Tun Razak yesterday.

According to sources, actor doing ‘My Name is Khan' said, “The Prime Minister and his wife Datinshri Rosamah were very kind to me when I shot Don here. As a friend, I was invited to spend an evening with them.''

Earlier in 2008, Shahrukh was awarded the Malaysian title of Datuk which is considered of equal honor of that of a British Knighthood. He is the first overseas artist to have been bestowed with this honour.

“It made me feel special and it also provided me an opportunity to carry on a relationship with a country that is culturally close to ours,'' added Khan.

According to the grapevine, celebration factor mounted over the actor as he sang ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' from one of his superhits for the PM as he was admired for his doings by fans at the gathering.

Fox Studios picks up rights of ‘My Name is Khan’ for Rs 100 cr: Report

Mumbai: No one sells like Shah Rukh Khan in Bollywood. Even before the release of ‘My Name is Khan’, his film is being seen as a hit considering the hype surrounding every little detail of the film.

Latest news has it that Fox Star Studio has reportedly bought the rights of the film for a whopping Rs 100 crores! Added to this, the film is said to be rich on music side as well with songs having chartbusting potential.
Critics, who have seen the rushes of MNIK, were overwhelmed by what they saw and heard. They were all praises for the trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the music composers and director Karan Johar.

‘My Name is Khan’ has been in news for all the right reasons. Super hit onscreen couple SRK and Kajol will be seen together after a long time. Written by Shibani Bathija, the film is about a Muslim (Shah Rukh) who suffers from the Asperger syndrome, a form of autism that impacts social interaction abilities, and he is arrested as a suspected terrorist in post-9/11 Los Angeles after authorities mistake his disability for suspicious behaviour.

After distributing ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ in India, Fox Star Studio is hopeful about this much-awaited biggie which has all the potential to be a blockbuster.

Ganguly captain, Wright coach of SRK'S KKR in 2010: Sources

Sourav Ganguly is almost certain to be reinstated as the captain while John Wright is likely to take over as the coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in the third edition of the Indian Premier League in 2010, team sources said on Saturday.

Even as an official announcement is awaited, sources said that there could be a major reshuffle with former India coach Wright likely to replace John Buchanan as Knight Riders coach, while former Australian middle-order batsman Michael Bevan will be in the coaching panel.

Sources said Ganguly would be back at the helm in 2010 when his contract with the Kolkata team ends and the iconic Bengal cricketer had a one-on-one with prinicipal owner Shah Rukh Khan when the duo met in London to receive doctorates by the University of Central Lancashire last week.

"Ganguly and Shah Rukh Khan had a discussion about this when the left-hander was in London last week. They have agreed in priniciple that Ganguly will lead the side," the source said.

"There were also discussions about the possible coaches. Wright and Bevan are the front runners. It is up to Shah Rukh to take the final call."

Ganguly, meanwhile, said that nothing is final as yet and a proper announcement will be made in due time.

"I don't take the decision of KKR alone. There are a number of people involved in the process. But hopefully in due course of time we will get a person who will coach the team. The decision has not been made yet," Ganguly said.

The Knight Riders management was also tightlipped about the development. When contacted, Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya said, "At the moment, I don't deny this (Ganguly as captain and Wright as the chief coach). However, there has not been any official announcement as yet."

Asked whether he was aware of this development, he said, "I don't want to comment on this. When there is an official announcement, we will let you know." In the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa, Kolkata Knight Riders were plagued awith controversies especially after Ganguly was dethroned just two days before the start of the tournament.

Knight Riders coach John Buchanan, who later had to part ways with the side after their bottom place finish, had floated the idea of multiple captaincy but only to hand over the baton to New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

IPL III, which was pre-poned to accommodate the ICC World Twenty20, begins in March next year and will overlap with Australia's tour of New Zealand.

Shahrukh Khan becomes a father

Shahrukh Khan is all set to play the role of a father and believe it or not he will play it in two movies My Name Is Khan and Anubhav Sinha's Ra 1. Although most actors shy away from playing such roles Shahrukh had qualms about playing a father on screen. Most stars are apprehensive of loosing their charm once they play an aged character on screen but not Shahrukh.

Shahrukh who plays Rizwan Khan in My Name Is Khan will be the father of a teenager in the movie. The superstar said these things should not bother an actor. He argues that at 30 if he could play a college student Kuch Kuch Hota Hai at 43 he can definitely play a father with his own son Aryan being 11 years old.

Deepika praises Shah Rukh Khan

Om Shanti Om star Deepika Padukone has declared that she was fortunate to debut opposite her idol Shah Rukh Khan.

Padukone, who was last seen in Chandni Chowk To China, praised Khan for putting her at ease when they began shooting.

The 23-year-old actress told CNN: "He is definitely someone who I have idolised; I have grown up watching him. He is so normal, down-to-earth and a great person to start off with."

Padukone also claimed that she was surprised to be so successful at the start of her film career.

She added: "Until today it still hasn't sunken in that so much has happened to me so soon... I'm not from Mumbai. Nobody from my family is from the film industry. I used to be the one buying tickets to watch a film and now suddenly I'm on the other side where people are buying tickets to watch my film."

SRK plays the gentlemen's game!

Okay, the Knight Riders needn’t get insecure already.

First, hear us out, boys. We told you about Shah Rukh Khan holidaying with his bachchas at his favourite hot-spot London. What we didn’t tell you is that he loves London so much that when he’s there, he drops all his starry inhibitions and becomes one of ‘em. Yeah, believe it or not, SRK is often spotted playing cricket in Hyde Park (which is a stone’s throw away from his new plush apartment).

His son loves the sport as much as Daddy, so they join Aryan’s friends in the park to play their favourite game. Obviously they have quite an audience (and self-appointed cheer-leaders, umpires, etc.), but the game goes on. Some fans even hang around the park for autographs and pictures, but no one, not even the paparazzi really bothers him too much. Well, if the English team plans to join him for one of the games (or simply to rub shoulders with the King Khan)... that will be another story. Don’t worry Dada (Sourav); we’ll be the first to tell you, so hang in there...

Fox Studio has acquired the worldwide rights for My Name is Khan

That Fox Studio has acquired the worldwide rights for My Name is Khan for Rs 100 crore supposedly the highest price for a Hindi film.

KJo's Tweet on July 19 "signing an important deal for My Name Is Khan today." Is this what he was referring to?

Shahrukh is King of Kings!

Shahrukh Khan truly was every bit a king when he took his crew shopping recently in San Fransico. The King Khan was in one of his most generous moods after he was through with the shoot of ‘My Name is Khan’.

In the true Baadshah style he told his crew to buy all that they felt like from a mall they visited. And we could bet that the crew loved SRK for his kind gesture and grabbed everything they could lay their hands on.

The light men, dress men and others picked the best branded stuff. And Khan didn’t mind this at all. In fact he urged them to come along and shop as he had panned to shop himself for few hours.

And looks like Bollywood is in a great mood for gifting even in times of recession, while SRK has showed his king size gesture; Priyanka Chopra too had gifted the crew of ‘Kaminey’ gifts after they were through with the shoot.

'I have not sold Dulha Mil Gaya to anyone' - Viveck Vaswani

Producer Viveck Vaswani has refused various media reports, which say that he has sold his upcoming film Dulha Mil Gaya for Rs 250 million (Rs 25 crore) to a Dubai based businessman.

However, Vaswani has denied any such deal taking place. Speaking exclusively to Business of cinema, he says, "I have no clue where these rumours start from. No one called me to clarify before publishing these stories. I don't know from where the media gets false and baseless information regarding the price of my movie. I have not sold my film to any Dubai based businessman. I know there is huge speculation around my film as it is Shah Rukh Khan's only release this year. However, if and when there are any developments, I will make an official announcement."

Dulha Mil Gaya has been directed by debutant Muddassar Aziz and stars Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen and Fardeen Khan. The shooting of the film is complete and 18 September has been zeroed in as the release date.

Shah Rukh Khan's £20M (140 CR) apartment in London

In his current trip to London Shahrukh Khan has ended up finally buying the 20 million pounds (140 CR) apartment in Central London in the Park Lane area. It is the highest cost paid by any Bollywood star ever for a property in foreign land.

“It is a known fact that the King Khan likes to visit London every year for vacation with his family. He generally stays in the best of the hotels on his visits there, but for past few months he was eyeing an apartment in London’s plush area for himself, so that he doesn’t have to stay in hotels every time. After going through many choices both him and wife Gauri ended up liking this particular place. But given its very high cost they took some while to take the final decision. Finally as he went there this time with his kids, even they liked the place a lot and he there and then decided to lock it forever.” our source close to the Bollywood super star reveals.

SRK incidentally apart from owning best star villa in Bollywood also owns big properties in the UAE.

Exclusive: Shah Rukh Khan interview with BBC - Video

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan talks to the BBC's Mantej Deol about the economic climate, financing for films, how Slumdog Millionaire has opened up partnerships between Hollywood and Bollywood - and his latest film.

-- BBC

In Pics: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol spoted at My Name Is Khan Movie Location

My Name Is Khan set being constructed at Film City

The cast and crew of Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan is back from San Francisco and according to sources, the next schedule of the film is most likely to take place at Film City.

A huge set is being constructed at Josh Maidain, Film City. A dam, which measures around three feet in depth and 135 x 240 meter in size, is being constructed inside which a church and some small houses are going to be constructed.

According to the source, plans are to shoot a hurricane scene where they will be showing the church n houses submerged in water.

The movie stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol and is slated to release early next year.

Shahrukh Khan defends himself over interview

Easily the most popular actor and also commonly known as ‘The King of Bollywood,’ Shahrukh Khan has recently been under fire for a statement on religion his spokesperson said was a ‘misprint’ in one of his recent interviews.

Khan reportedly made some remarks against Prophet Muhammad in the July issue of Time N Style magazine. An FIR was registered against the actor by the Mumbai Aman Committee.

In the wake of the Mumbai attacks many famous Muslim Bollywood actors, including Shahrukh Khan, have felt insecure. But Khan seems to be facing the fire from both sides.

In a statement sent to Dawn, Sanjiv Chawla, CEO of Shahrukh Khan’s company Red Chillies, described the reaction to Khan’s interview as ‘unfounded’ and unfortunate.

Shahrukh Khan has appealed to Muslims through his spokesperson in a series of statements defending his strong belief in Islam, starting with the reaction of those who misunderstood part of his interview which he said was a misprint.

He continued by mentioning his previous interviews during the past 20 years in which he says he quoted the teachings of the prophet. He also mentioned how he has been brought up on the words of the Holy Prophet and has always believed in them: ‘My parents, Allah bless their souls, would never forgive me if I did something against the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet,’ Khan said.

Rhetorically, he asked why he would hurt the sentiments of his own people when he has lead the life of a good Muslim. He also asked people to stop overreacting to a misprint and later in an emotional turnaround asked for forgiveness, first from God and then from the people whose feelings he said he had unwittingly hurt.

‘I will always check the copy of the journalists who do interviews with me, especially on sensitive issues,’ Khan said.

SRK waxes eloquent about the doctorate he received

Shah Rukh Khan was conferred an honorary doctorate in the United Kingdom for his contribution to arts and culture by Bedfordshire University at a ceremony in London last week. In a brief chat from London, SRK reveals what the doctorate means to him. Excerpts...

So Doctorsaab, how does the new tag feel?
Very, very cool. It's an honour which would make a boy's parents very happy, so I am sure my mom and dad must be very proud.

Other Indian stars to have been given honorary doctorates in the UK, including Shilpa Shetty, Akshay Kumar and AR Rahman. Do you think your doctorate has come too late?
Everyone gets what they deserve… and when they deserve it. I am an immensely satisfied and happy person with my life and achievements and always appreciate the achievements of my colleagues.

Is an honorary doctorate better than the many awards you have received as an actor?
The race I run doesn't have a finish line. There are no bests in the standards I set for myself. This doctorate is an absolute delight and matter of pride for me and my family and so are all the other awards, but the fun is in running not finishing the race for me.

The university received your nomination from Routes 2 Roots, an NGO that works towards people-to-people contact across the subcontinent, especially India and Pakistan. Are you aware about what they do?
Yes I am. They explained to me all the work they do and why they felt they should nominate my name.

You've said that you aim to use the award to help educate underprivileged children. How will you do that?
First comes the thought of making your life more meaningful, then the direction you want to take to fulfil the thought. The plans and modalities will follow after that. It is too early to give you the system and processes of the same but I will try and create an environment in my office and people to bring about education opportunities especially for little girls and do it with as little show and publicity as possible.

Though you got the best student award from one of Delhi's top schools with you never finished a Masters degree. Do you regret not having gone in for higher studies?
Studies and trying to figure out things never end. It would have been good to complete my Masters degree but unavoidable circumstances led to it not being finished. But I don't regret it though.

What subject did you love and hate the most in school?
Biology was my favourite and so was English (Shakespeare). Mathematics was a horror especially as I was terrible in it. I did very well in Physics, Chemistry and National Income Accounting.

What does true knowledge mean to you?
The belief that the more you learn the more you know, the more you know the more you forget, the more you forget the less you know, the less you know the less you forget, the less you forget the more you remember, the more you remember the more you know… and the cycle keeps on going. There is no end to seeking and absorbing knowledge. True knowledge is unfathomable, uncapturable, unknowable… like life. but we got to keep living and just like life that we have to live, we have got to keep striving for knowledge without knowing what it leads to.

Priyanka's heart beats for Shahrukh

Priyanka Chopra may have huge fan following but when it comes to her choice, she has got only one name in her lips and he is the favorite of all, Shahrukh Khan. Priyanka has been a great admirer of Shahrukh Khan since the age of six.

Says Priyanka, ''I have always been and will always be a fan of Shah Rukh Khan. I admire a lot of people but true blue, going weak in the knees type of fan I am only of SRK!''

In the long tenure of her career, Piggy Chops has worked with many Bollywood actors but her choice always been Shahrukh. Though she paired with him for the first time in ‘Don’, she could not forget her first meeting with the actor.

''I have been a huge fan of Shah Rukh Khan since I was six. During Miss India 2000, he was one of the judges who asked me a question. I got a chance to meet him backstage and managed to say, ''Hello.'' When he heard that I sing, he asked me to do so. I still don't remember what I sang. I will always admire Shah Rukh.''

Dr. Shahrukh Khan - Video

Shah Rukh khan receives Honorary Doctorate

Shah Rukh-Kajol voted most romantic on-screen couple

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol have been voted the most favourite romantic on-screen couple in a poll conducted by MDRA and Outlook magazine to find the popular favourites in the romance genre.

Interestingly, Amitabh-Rekha came second in the list of romantic on-screen couples followed by Salman-Madhuri, Akshay-Katrina, Shahid-Kareena, Hrithik-Aishwarya and Rishi Kapoor-Dimple.

“Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge”, which has been running non-stop in a Mumbai theatre for the last 14 years, has been voted as the most favourite romantic Bollywood movie of all time. “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” is second, followed by “Maine Pyaar Kiya” in third position.

“Tujhe dekha to ye jaana sanam”, again from “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge”, has been voted as the favourite romantic Bollywood song. “Tum paas aaye” (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai) is in the second place and “Kal ho na ho (Kal Ho Na Ho) has come third.

Shah Rukh Khan has also been voted the Favourite Romantic Actor, followed by Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, and Kajol has topped the list of Favourite Romantic Actors (Female). Trailing her are Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Katrina Kaif.

Shah Rukh can be an outstanding director: Karan Johar

Their last outing together was a damp squib, but Karan Johar hasn’t lost his faith in Shah Rukh Khan. He has once again teamed up with him and Kajol for “My Name Is Khan” and says the superstar is not only good at emoting but is capable of directing a film too.

“He had written reams of notes on how he wanted to interpret his character (in ‘My Name Is Khan’). And to him it was no big deal. He’s ready to direct a film any time. He will be outstanding at it,” Karan, whose last directorial venture “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” fell flat at the box office, told IANS in an interview.

For “My Name Is Khan”, Karan is bringing Shah Rukh and Kajol together on screen after a long time and he says they bring out the best in him.

“I’m blessed to have them in my film. I don’t know what it is about them. It’s just magic. They build an inexplicable energy on screen. When I direct a scene with Shah Rukh and Kajol, I know I’m doing my best work,” he said.

“My Name Is Khan” is about a Muslim who suffers from the Asperger syndrome, a form of autism that impacts social interaction abilities, and he is arrested as a suspected terrorist in post-9/11 Los Angeles after authorities mistake his disability for suspicious behaviour.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: “My Name Is Khan” has no lip-sync songs?

A: No, none. The songs are all in the background. In LA, we had fans coming to us to ask if there was any track like “Suraj hua madham” in “My Name Is Khan”. This time there’s no “It’s the time to disco” and “Where’s the party tonight”. But there’s guts, soul and heart in the music. I’ve a huge comfort zone with my composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. That’s the only way good work can be done.

Q: Apparently, Javed Akhtar refused to share lyrical credits with Niranjan Iyer?

A: Javed-saab is a father figure and our rapport goes way beyond work. Niranjan has written the dialogues and two songs in “My Name Is Khan”. Javed-saab was gracious enough to let Nirajan write the rest of the songs. And when I insisted, Javed-saab had to write one song that only he could and he very kindly agreed. He’s also written the lyrics of my production “Wake Up, Sid”.

Q: How was it directing Shah Rukh and Kajol again?

A: I am blessed to have them in my film. I don’t know what it is about them. It’s just magic. They build an inexplicable energy on screen. They instinctively understand each other’s acting. When I direct a scene with Shah Rukh and Kajol, I know I’m doing my best work. These two characters in “My Name Is Khan” had to be Shah Rukh and Kajol.

Q: You almost didn’t get Kajol?

A: She had to read the script. That was it. She said yes. I wouldn’t want any actor to say yes to my film just because he or she is a friend. I want my actors to really do the role. I’ve great friendships, but I don’t want any actor to compromise on his or her basic tenets on cinema.

Q: Was Kajol weighed down on location by her motherly duties?

A: Not at all. I’ve worked with Kajol in various stages of her life. I’m working with her again eight years later. When we worked the last time, she didn’t have a daughter. So, of course, she’s a different person. Today, I find her calmer more focused on her work than ever before. Kajol manages to be fantastic wife-mother and actress.

I find Shah Rukh and Kajol alike in their attitude to work and family. They’re both so much into their spouses and kids. When the shot is over, they rush to their respective family. On location in LA between shots they spoke to each other about their respective families.

Q: How was Shah Rukh?

A: Time and again I’m blown away by Shah Rukh. How can he think of so many things about his character when he has so much on his plate? He has done monumental research on his autistic character. I was zapped by how much he knew on the subject. And he brought all the knowledge on the sets.

He had written reams of notes on how he wanted to interpret his character. And to him it was no big deal. He’s ready to direct a film any time. He will be outstanding at it. His understanding of human nature and emotions can never be matched by me.

-- Subash K. Jha

I feel old: Dr Shah Rukh Khan

Ironical, it is. Shah Rukh Khan is now a doctor; but he is also very pained.

He has been awarded a doctorate from the Bedfordshire University in UK for his contribution to arts and culture. “The honour brought me a lot of joy,’’ says SRK, who is currently on vacation with Gauri and his children Aryan and Suhana. He laughs when he is addressed as ‘Dr’ and says, “Somehow it makes me feel slightly older when someone calls me Dr Shah Rukh Khan.’’

Describing his time on the podium where he received the honour, he says, “Wearing that square cap with tassels tilted to the left, brought images of the heroes of the 70s; it was an oft-repeated thing in films those days. I didn’t know whether etiquette required me to take Aryan and Suhana along for the convocation ceremony. So I left the children behind.’’ Happily, Gauri was by his side when he received the honour. “I sincerely hope my parents could have watched this... and I hope that it was a proud moment for them wherever they are,’’ the Bollywood Badshah says emotionally.

It is five months since he underwent shoulder surgery, but SRK is still in pain. “I completed a long spell for Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan in San Francisco,’’ he says. “We got lucky because we had long days and could pack in ample work. However, my shoulder still hurts.’’ He recounts how he shot for a song sequence for Dulha Mil Gaya in which he has a guest appearance and strained his operated shoulder. The actor has been in touch with his surgeon in Mumbai and has been reassured that the recurring pain is part of the rehab, so he continues to go about his daily chores with enthusiasm.

“My shoulder makes strange clicking sounds,’’ he says. “However, I’ve been asked to open doors, lift small objects and keep giving it small doses of regular exercise,’’ he adds. The actor who lost a lot of muscle mass because he has been unable to do any active bodybuilding, says his main regret is that Anubhav Sinha’s Ra 1, Farah Khan’s Happy New Year and Farhan Akhtar’s Don-2 will be postponed by three-four months.

“However, there is heavy duty action involved in these films and I can’t attempt that till such time as my shoulder is completely healed,” says SRK enthused by the very thought of being able to participate in the ‘filmi action’ that he so revels in.

And, since he is just not the type to sit around doing nothing, right now Bollywood’s biggest icon is indulging in a game of cricket with his children at Hyde Park in central London. “I also promised the children that I will wear the black cape and square hat and do a repeat of the convocation ceremony for them because they missed the occasion,’’ he says.

In Pics: Shah Rukh Khan gets an honorary doctorate