Shah Rukh Brings His Spark to Silicon Valley

SAN JOSE, Calif. — No, that wasn’t an earthquake you felt July 3 — that was a stampede of Bollywood fans, eager to catch a glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan. The Fairmont Hotel was abuzz till the early morning hours as Khan made an appearance to meet his admirers, snap photos and answer a few probing questions along the lines of “Can I see your six-pack?”

He even danced. Khan, who had been holding court onstage in one of the hotel’s huge ballrooms, stepped down to the dance floor to join the Mona Sampath Dance Troupe and gyrate to “Love mera hit hit” and other iconic songs, as the crowd strained on tiptoe for a better look.

The event was a smash success, according to Deepak Mehta of Mehta Entertainment. “People couldn’t dream that with just 11 days of preparation, I was able to put this together,” Mehta told India-West afterward. Declining to give an exact number of attendees, Mehta described the event as “house full.”

Tickets ranged from $100-500 for the event, and those who bought VIP or VVIP tickets were entitled to a photo with Khan. Due to Khan’s three-hour delay in arriving, not everyone was able to pose with the star, but Mehta explained that those fans were invited to Khan’s hotel in downtown San Francisco the following day. “On Saturday, over 100 people went to [Khan’s hotel] and got their pictures,” said Mehta.

As hundreds of admirers waited for Khan to arrive in the ballroom, dozens more lined the driveway of the Fairmont, and cheered every car that approached. Avishek Chakravorty, 23, traveled all the way from Toronto to see Khan. “Come on,” he jibed from his place in line. “I’ve been his fan since ‘Baazigar’ in ’93,” he said. “I’ve seen him twice already. I love him.”

Anjana Lodhia, from Folsom, Calif., told India-West at 10 p.m. that she’d been waiting in that spot since 4 p.m., and seemed full of energy nonetheless.

Khan — dubbed one of the 50 Most Powerful People in the World in 2008 by Newsweek magazine — arrived at the Fairmont in a white 2008 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow on loan from Naeem Wahab, president of Cal Coast Financial Corporation, a frequent sponsor of Mehta’s shows. “I’ve never ridden in a Rolls Royce before!” remarked the star. Mehta commended the efforts of George Patton, banquet manager for the Fairmont Hotel; while Oakland City Council president Ignacio de la Fuente was also on hand to enjoy a bit of Bollywood, too.

The actor, who was in San Francisco for an extended location shoot for Karan Johar’s “My Name Is Khan,” said he wanted to show up as a favor to Mehta, his “old friend,” who had brought Khan’s earliest live shows to the Bay Area. Khan said he also wanted to reach out to filmgoers who have supported him since the former TV actor made his big screen debut in 1992 with “Deewana.”

“Most of what I have today is because of you,” Khan solemnly told the audience. “Thank you for making me the star I am.”

Khan, dressed in a lightweight wool coat and red corduroy vest over a simple, vee-necked white tee-shirt and jeans — his black hair impeccably tousled — switched to a lighter tone as he invited people to ask him questions: “I want stupid, nonsensical questions; I don’t want any intelligent questions!” he implored.

As emcee Lakshmi Baweja tried to keep control, representatives from Mehta Entertainment passed around a microphone, and the queries came thick and fast over the course of an hour.

“What’s your favorite ice cream?” shouted a fan. (“I don’t eat ice cream — look at my six-pack abs.”)

“What’s your favorite movie?” (“The best movie I’ve done is the next one, though I’m fond of ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge,’” replied Khan before launching into a chorus of “Tujhe dekha …”)

“Can I have a hug?” (“Five dollars for a hug, darling; $20 for a kiss, and your whole property if you want to have my child.”)

“Who’s your favorite actress?” (“I’m just a lovesick guy. I love them all.”)

“How do you maintain your good looks?” (“Anti-aging creams help a lot. I don’t drink, and I don’t eat a lot, though I do smoke; I’ll be 44 this year. I listen to my wife, which keeps you healthy with no bruises.”)

“What’s the most challenging part of being a parent?” (“To let my kids grow on their own, without subjugating them to be what I want them to be.”)

One young lady, who was easily on her fourth Corona, squealed “Chak de phatte!” (bring the house down) before posing her serious question: “If I make you fresh sarson ka saag and makki ki roti will you come home with me?”

A little boy had another question — “What is one fun thing that you will take back with you?”

Khan grinned. “This is it,” he replied.