If Akon can sing for me, why should I?: Shah Rukh

Rap star Akon arrives in Mumbai today on a whirlwind tour and will be Shah Rukh Khan's special guest during his stay. The singer is here to record songs for SRK's film Ra. One, including one in Hindi. Says Shah Rukh, “Yes, Akon arrives on Monday for a rushed three-day visit. He will perform at the launch of a new product of a company whose energy drink I endorse, and then on Tuesday and Wednesday, he will record a song with Vishal Shekhar for Ra.One. There are two versions of the song, one in English and the other in Hindi, and Akon wants to sing in Hindi. Though he’s Senegalese by birth, he sings in different languages. I don’t see why he can’t manage Hindi. Akon will be adding his own bit to Vishal Shekhar’s composition. He is very participative - I love his songs.”

Shah Rukh hums one of Akon’s recent chartbusters and you wonder why he doesn’t sing for himself. SRK laughs, “No, I can’t sing. I did some lines for myself in Josh, but that was not real singing. If Akon can sing for me, why should I?”

Recalling his meeting with Akon, the actor says, “When I met him recently in New York for the first time, I was floored by his niceness. Such a big international star but so down-to-earth. I asked him if he would sing for me and he said, ‘anytime’. Everyone including Kareena Kapoor who has heard the song has loved it.”

Apart from the recording, there’s enough to keep Akon busy. “I will have him home for dinner and also arrange a quick press meet. I don’t want to put too much pressure on his time. After all, the man’s got to sleep too. However, it is just a three-day visit and I guess he will have a lot to do.”

The actor also wants to show My Name Is Khan to him. “Akon was in Cairo when MNIK released there. He saw the hoardings and has shown interest in watching it. Insha Allah, I’ll screen my film for him.”