I don’t regret turning down Slumdog: SRK

One week after the Golden Globes and Slumdog Millionaire, Shah Rukh Khan talks to BT about going to LA and walking on stage with lead actress Freida Pinto in hand to present Danny Boyle’s film on Mumbai with the prestigious award. “It was a historic moment and I felt proud to be an Indian,” said the actor who was introduced as the King of Bollywood and who...yes, had rejected the role in the film that subsequently went to Anil Kapoor!

How different was the Golden Globes from our award shows?
The people are very gracious and are genuinely happy for each other’s success. In India we go to such functions only to collect our own awards and sneak away. There people stayed back and shared the happiness in the get-together.

Were you intimidated by Hollywood’s biggies?
No, I felt confident like always. Given a chance, I would have shown them some Bollywood pelvic movements!

What stopped you?
I don’t know how they would have taken it, they are not familiar with our humour, it would have been a little out of place.

How are Hollywood’s A-listers?
Usually I am very anti-social. But that night I was taken around and it was wonderful to meet everyone. People spoke very graciously about Bollywood. I am naturally shy of women, but when I saw Demi Moore, Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore, Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Lopez, I must say... they are so beautiful! I was introduced to Mark Antony and Dustin Hoffman, too. There was Beyonce and Gerard Butler whom I know from before. Emma Thompson, who I know since the last three years, blew me a flying kiss.

You regret not accepting the role that Anil Kapoor played?
No. I know Danny felt bad about it. But he is such a good human being. And his love for India is something very special. After I saw the film, I thought Anil had done a fabulous job and deserves every bit of the
success.

Other roles that you refused (Lagaan, Munnabhai MBBS and now 3 idiots) went on to make big news...
There shouldn’t be any afterthought once a decision is made. Nobody could have done a better job than Sanjay Dutt in Munnabhai... Yes, I was keen to do Lagaan, but Ashutosh and I didn’t get a producer at that time. I wasn’t into production then. And I didn’t do 3 Idiots which Aamir is doing now. Looks like Aamir was destined to do both the roles. He is brilliant, no doubt. Everything isn’t made for me alone. God has given me enough, I’d better be happy and contented.

SRK, the real hero!

Two child victims of a grenade attack in Srinagar are undergoing treatment at the Nanavati hospital with the help of superstar Shah Rukh Khan who is bearing the entire cost of treatment.

SRK first heard of the orphans -- Muddassar (5) and Amina (3) from Dr Ali Irani, head of the department of physiotherapy and sports medicine at the hospital. The actor has donated Rs 50 lakh for the children's ward at the hospital in memory of his mother.

Dr Ali, who is part of a team of doctors that treats children hit by disasters in Jammu and Kashmir, met the kids during one of his visits to Srinagar. Dr Ali told People magazine that he knew he could ask the doctors to treat the children for free but there would be plenty of other expenses.

"So, I just spoke to Shah Rukh," he said. The superstar also visited the hospital and promised to introduce them to his kids as soon as they were out of the hospital. Zubair, the elder cousin of the children told the magazine, "Amina keeps asking me if I have spoken with Shah Rukh and when is he going to take her to meet his daughter. She also plans to invite SRK's children Aryan and Suhana to Srinagar so that they can all play on houseboats."