I'm bored of going to the Oscars : Shah Rukh Khan

SRK is the most desirable (and complex) epitome of delectable dichotomy in the Universe.

At an hour-long 'In conversation with Karan Johar' on the last day of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Shah Rukh Khan had the audience eating out of his hands.

Addressing the audience at the summit, Khan pitched strongly for selling an India in celebration, emphasizing on India as a global entertainment portal.

"I haven't been to a gathering called a 'Summit' before," he said, surveying the packed hall. "I read the names of the people who have spoken at the Summit and I wondered, why me? Why was I included in such an important list? I guess I'm the only one among them who has to wear makeup before going to work every day ."

As the audience dissolved in laughter, Shah Rukh added, "So I'm going to be very intellectually advanced today I'm going to use words like 'synergy'. And the one that really turns me on: 'three sixty degrees'."

King Khan said he believed India could become a global entertainment portal. "But I'm bored of going to the Oscars. I'm tired of going to the Cannes film festival. I'm tired of telling people in the West that we too make films. I would like international filmmakers to come to India and then take Indian cinema to the world. I'd like to have the Oscars in India at the Ramlila Grounds, maybe sponsored by Reliance, with me dancing and showing my six pack abs!" He said he was also tired of "selling sadness picturesquely shot in Rajasthan. I want to sell happiness, I want to celebrate my country".

Johar kicked off the session by asking Shah Rukh about crossover films. Shah Rukh replied that while the content should remain as it is - particularly song-anddance sequences, Bollywood's USP - Indian films need to be shorter. "I don't think viewers should feel they haven't got value for money if the film is not three hours long. I'm short but I am entertaining!"

"We need to create production houses. We need to create some nice studios, which are not dusty and look ugly. I know lots of you haven't been to studios, but they really are awful. We need some fantastic postproduction units and why can't all of us, like we've done with the IT industry, create units which are calling people to come here and use it, like telecommunication, like even television and that's what is my imagination." King Khan says.

"We will make films, which are 90 minutes long, and we can invite people to come and use our resources, human and otherwise. Love the country, understand the celebration that's happening here and then take our cinema to the world. That's what a solution would be or the easier one, I read one speech here. Many of the speeches say that every sixth person in the world is an Indian." he continues non-stop.

Describing Shah Rukh as India's biggest brand, Johar asked him what went into the creation of Brand SRK and about his enduring image as a family man. "I think I don't have enough girls throwing themselves at me," laughed Shah Rukh.

"That's why the family man image. As for the branding part, I don't work in any special way to build my brand. I just try and be honest in my dealings, I try and be unique. Brands work if you are not negative. And I'm not looking to pull anyone down. I'm like a horse who runs with blinkers, I don't look to my left or right. I just keep running. If I compete with anyone, it's with myself. I would like my next film to outdo Chak De! India."

When Johar asked if it was difficult to maintain his branding, Shah Rukh answered, "It is difficult. That's why I'm holding on to filmmakers like you!"

Shah Rukh agreed that he had become more careful about what he did on screen after the birth of his children. "I don't like to use bad language in my films. I don't like dark films, I don't want to play very mean characters. On the other hand, banning smoking or drinking on screen is not such a great idea."

Speaking about the media invasion in the country Shah Rukh said, "I respect the media. I think it brings accountability And I use the media, when I have a film coming up like now. Om Shanti Om will be competing against a Sony Columbia Tri Star film. So I have told the media that I don't have 30 or 40 crores to spend on the publicity like Sony; and I have asked them, will you help me? If the media is too intrusive and tries to get into your bedroom, then you need to make sure you have big walls and no windows in your bedroom."

The actor again made a special note of mentioning the importance of respecting the media, admitting that he is dependent hugely on them. "All we need to do is not be savvy about the media. I think we just have to respect it and continue genuinely working together and I am dependent a lot on the media as a star, individually."

Asked if he would join politics, Shah Rukh said, "I was telling Rahul (Gandhi) that it's very commendable for young people to join politics. It's a very self-sacrificing job. I'm too material, too selfish, too capitalistic. Besides, I'm too good-looking!" And then added with a smile, "Rahul is amazing looking too, but I have six pack abs!"

When Johar asked him what he was worth (since actors these days charge up to Rs 16 crore a film), Shah Rukh answered, "I'm priceless! I sell myself for endorsements, I dance at weddings, birthday parties. But movies I do out of love." Admitting that he is extremely competitive, the actor clarified that his competition was very positive.

Televisionpoint.com

Chak De' in Oscar Race!

Eklavya's selection for the Oscars certainly has ruffled a lot of feathers, however, it's learnt that the latest entrant to join the Oscar race is 'Chak De'.

The selection committee, meanwhile, is all set to hold a closed door meeting on Tuesday, the 16th of October, to ponder over the decision of selecting the final movie -- 'Dharm, Eklavya and Chak De' -- which it has to reconfirm to Oscar authorities by Wednesday,the 17th.

While the committee is having a tough time to make a final decision and dealing with the clash of ego's, the twist in the tale has come in the form of Karan Johar's latest controversial statement, which could add fuel to fire.

In a recent statement, Karan Johar said:"I think 'Chak De' is one of the best movies that I have seen in the recent times and I would recommend it for any platform, be it the Oscars etc."

His comment has added a rather interesting element to the ongoing Oscar controversy, however, it seems that the Badshah of Bollywood is revelling in all the Oscar fuss.

Commenting on the selection process and the controversy surrounding it, Sharukh Khan said:"I think controversies are a great thing, thats what always happens in a selection process."

However, interestingly, Karan Johar is not the only one who thinks that 'Chak De' would be a better representative of the Indian cinema at the Oscars, according to the grapewine, many members of the selection committee also feel that 'Chak De' would be a better option.

'Paheli' first and then 'Chak De', it certainly seems a clear sweep for Shahrukh, however, he candidly admits that even being selected for the Oscars can have its downside.

Elaborating on the same, he said:"Even when Paheli got selected, I knew deep down inside that it was the wrong film."

Entertainment Bureau - TimesNow.TV

SRK is more Politically Savvy than Big B

When Shah Rukh Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, at a recent function said that he is too good-looking to enter politics, he sure made a statement.

What sounded completely narcissistic to some was actually seen as political astuteness by many others.

A smart and confident SRK had managed to make a statement, like always, only this time it was minus the typical Bollywood histrionics.

So, when we at the TimesofIndia.com asked if SRK was, actually, more politically savvy than the Big B, Mr. Bachchan, there were more ‘ayes’ than ‘nays’.

A resounding 54 per cent said that yes, King Khan actually is more politically savvy than Big B.

And it doesn’t get better than this. The two titans who manage to set rumour mills work overtime with their individual and combined acts, make news by whatever they say. Or rather don’t say.

So when SRK said that he is too good-looking to enter politics, what did he mean? Was he actually making a reference to Sexy Sam getting a raw deal ala Bofors episode, his proximity to Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and former UP CM Mulayam Singh and the numerous ? Or was he referring to ‘politics is the last refuge of the scoundrels’ adage?

For Netizens, the verdict is clear. Ritesh Gupta from Mumbai feels that ''Amitabh Bachchan is continuously trying to associate himself with one or other political party but SRK never associated himself with any political party or person except friends.''

Lalit Badlani from Thane echoes his sentiments. ''SRK is more diplomatic than Big B as he knows how to tackle any situation more diplomatically than Mr. Bachchan, that's what I have noticed in television interviews or gathered through newspapers.''

Lilly Potter writing all the way from England, attributes SRK’s wordplay to his sun sign. “But of course, after all, SRK is a Scorpion. Those born under this sign are too good with words and charismatic.

Teja, from Hyderabad , feels that ‘SRK knows how to handle the media’. “He has a way to be in the news without courting controversies,” he says.


Most Netizens who exercised their virtual democratic rights through this poll have expressed admiration for Shah Rukh not entering the political arena directly.

Although he has had friends from the political circles, the man himself, feel Netizens has never shown any political ambitions. He has stuck to being an actor and that is what has worked in his favour.

All the way from Dubai, Hari Sankar Sharma says, ''Mr. Bachchan had made a mistake by entering direct politics and SRK would never do that as he does not need to experiment with himself in that direction.''

The fact that Amitabh Bachchan went on headway into the politics and made a couple of mistakes allowed only to true blue politicians he had to pay a heavy price for it.

In the same flow of thought P Janardhanan Nair from Chicago says, ''Amitabhji got into politics and also corrected his step by withdrawing from politics immediately. But again because the company of his friends he is still involved. SRK should evaluate the present and past history and there is nothing wrong if he jumps into politics since he is a level headed person and India needs such personalities.'' The tryst that the Bachchan family had with the politics of the country is held by many in bad taste.

Some Netizens were also of the opinion that to venture out into a new field of life is a very common thing and welcome as well.

However, to be a miserable failure while risking a lot of things in the bet is not the best thing to do. Many a fan actually holds this against the superstar.

All the way from USA Sajid , says ''Yes. Amitabh has proved himself bad in the political arena. SRK looks to be more intelligent and mature as compared to Amitabh.''

Similarly S Gupta from Burdwan says, ''Amitabh has hurt himself by contributing to several controversies surrounding himself and his family.''

Whereas Nim from Delhi says, ''SRK is at the top in the Bollywood business. Despite that, he is not ready to be affiliated to any political party. This shows that he knows that it's not his work. His work is to entertain the public and he is doing the same.''

Some also felt that since change is the constant, it was high time that Amitji made way for a change in the Bollywood order.

Amitabh Bachchan has been around for a long time now and he has given what he could to the industry. And now it is the time that he retires gracefully and allows the others to come and try their luck.

Badshah from Mumbai says, ''Old is cold. Amitji is now old and it's time for him to rest. SRK has a better sense of humour which was proved in KBC . Sorry to say this but Amitji has to rethink about working as an actor now. ''

For die-hard Amitabh fans, it is Big B, Big B and only Big B. Saraswati Singh from USA says, ''SRK has to learn a lot, he can't be compared with Big B.''

Back home, Richa Garg from Dehra Dun says, ''Definitely Big B is more experienced and SRK has to learn a lot but he has more guts thus is more savvy in politics. The fact that Amitabh Bachchan has been able to hold his position for such a long time is a fact that a lot of readers find very admirable.

Being politically savvy is something that some Netizens feel is being actually diplomatic.

Jitendra Desai from Gujarat says, ''Siding with those currently in power is not being savvy but it's being opportunistic. In hindsight, AB appears more matured and principled.'' Being a suave individual because of being politically correct at all times is not what all our readers take very lightly.

Then there is yet another group that feels that pitting the two against each other is not really a fair thing to do as there are things that have been exclusive for the two of them. They can very well be compared to each other as far as acting goes but as Shah Rukh never tried his hand at politics so it becomes unfair to pit them against each other in that context.

Umesh Munshi from USA is of the opinion that, ''If we speak about politics, then yes. Amitabh was and would be a failure in politics. But as far as being an actor is concerned, he stands much higher than anyone else in Bollywood.''

Well, that’s the power of the spoken word. And till the time King Khan actually goes back on his word and decides to enter the corridors of power, the debate will continue.

(Edited)

Pallavi Shahi - TimesOfIndia