SRK sureshot hit in Sri Lanka

Bollywood hottie Neha Dhupia rightly said a few years back that there are only two things that sell in the world - Shah Rukh Khan and sex.

And in Sri Lanka, King Khan is truly bigger than even the Southern sweetheart Rajnikanth. Even as the city is swarming with policemen due to the Saarc summit and despite the fear of the LTTE, one thing remains constant and that is the love people shower on the undisputed badshah of Bollywood.

"I have been watching his films since I was a child. And today, I must say that I know Hindi thanks to him," says Suma, a mahout in Pinnawala, an elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka. But that's not all. Suma catches the first day first show of his favourite actor and even gives you a free demonstration of his dialogues from the blockbuster Darr. Remember "K-K-Kirrrran"?

With issues like the Ram Sethu controversy raging and the gossip among people being that LTTE chief Prabhakaran being spotted in a bunker (allegedly the Army knows his location, but is waiting for the right moment to strike), Bollywood remains on top of their mind.

Says Kumaran, a driver at a local tourist service, "We love Shah Rukh as he transports us into a different world altogether with his movies. He also has a very unique personality that can cut across all language and geographical boundaries. I remember his movie Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, he was simply superb in it. We hope he comes again to Sri Lanka, and I know the people here will give him a royal welcome."

Interestingly, many Sinhalese can speak Hindi and if you switch on the TV you will see many of Shah Rukh's songs (from his famous films like Kal Ho Naa Ho) dubbed in the local language. And a Walkers' tour guide Shane confirms that many women in the country swear by Mr Khan.

Lanka Times