Shah Rukh Khan grants start to finish dates to Karan

It pays to be friends with Shah Rukh Khan. The man, who is known for winning pals and confidantes with his charisma, surely knows how to keep them happy and glued to his side. The actor in a rare gesture to please his good old pal Karan Johar has grated him back-to-back dates for the director's close-to-heart project 'My Name is Khan'.

Going by King Khan's jam-packed schedule next year, the start to finish dates surely comes as a big surprise. But when it's concerning Karan, then we are sure that badshah does not mind walking a few extra miles.

A news daily quoted a source as saying, "Yes, Shah Rukh has given a bulk dates from December 15. He will be shooting in various places in America in a start-to-finish schedule. This will be for the first time that a SRK film will be completed in one schedule".

Well, good deed King Khan! But going back in time, we are reminded of the same gesture by Salman Khan to the filmmakers of 'London Dreams'. Just like Shah Rukh, Sallu too had finished the shoot of the film in a single start to finish shoot.

Hmmm... looks like they are competing to score a point over each other in goodness!

´Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi´ Yash Raj´s Only Hope Now!

Yash Raj Films' 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi', due on 12th December, just two weeks before Aamir Khan's 'Ghajini', has Shah Rukh Khan and Aditya Chopra as its two biggest USPs. While Shah Rukh has acted in many films, 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' is only the third directorial project of Aditya Chopra. He had made 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' in 1995 and 'Mohabbatein' in 2000, both starring Shah Rukh Khan. Yet another interesting aspect of 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' is that Adi is introducing a new girl, Anushka Sharma, in the film as the female lead.

The Yash Raj banner has been delivering mostly duds in the last two years but the trade is prepared to overlook this point this one time.

There’s also a scientific reason why one need not be bothered about the line of flops or average grossers churned out by Yash Raj Films in the recent years. For, its only super-hit during this time has been its film with Shah Rukh Khan, viz. 'Chak De! India'. So that’s one more solid reason to hope that Aditya-SRK ne bana di super-hit!

Shah Rukh Khan will light up 2009

For all those who felt bad about the fact that King Khan was missing in action this Diwali, there’s some good news. Those on the verge of swooning may want to break into song…”You light up my life…” before passing out…

There will be much of SRK in the latter part of 2009. The word is that Yash Raj Films have signed up their favourite SRK again.

No, this one isn’t a comeback vehicle for old-timer Yash Chopra but a film with Ashutosh Gowarikar’s assistant Rakesh Kapoor (the Yash Raj banner is promoting another new talent!)

Rakesh has reportedly said, “I cannot say anything. I just want to thank Adi (Aditya Chopra) as he called me up last week and selected my script and me as director. I am really excited as this will be the biggest film to come out in 2009, touchwood.

Shah Rukh is fixed and my friends Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are doing the music. We are starting from March after Shah Rukh comes back from the US. Adi has said that they will release this film on 2009 Diwali.”

SRK’s ‘My Name Is Khan’ directed by Karan Johar is also releasing around Christmas 2009 and if this film happens it will be a double bonanza for SRK fans! His home production ‘Billoo Barber’ releases early next year as well.

So it’s King Khan all the way in 2009!

Shahrukh to inaugurate 14th Kolkata International Film Festival

Bollywood heart throb Shahrukh Khan will inaugurate the 14th Kolkata film festival beginning from November 10.

Official sources are quoted to have said that the megastar has accepted an invitation of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya to open the fest at Nandan. SRK has almost become the darling of Kolkattans ever since he began the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders early this year.

The week-long festival will feature movies of Warner Herzog, Fassbinder, Eric Rohmer and other famous directors of Hollywood, Bollywood and South Indian cinema.

SRK-Katrina in Yash Chopra’s next

Shah Rukh Khan is going great guns. Yash Chopra who last directed the actor in Veer Zaara four years ago, is all set to wield the megaphone yet again and he is very keen to cast Khan again in a mega multi-starrer.

Reportedly the film is an intense romance, and will star Katrina Kaif opposite Khan. According to reports Khan has agreed to star in the film. Said Monika Bhattacharya of Yash Raj Films, “Yash Chopra is directing a film, and is presently working on the script. There are a lot of speculations that Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Katrina Kaif are part of the film. But Yashji only decides the cast when he finishes the script so as of now, no one has been finalised.” The film goes on the floor next year.

On the other hand, Shah Rukh’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment has branched into television software production and is set to launch its first show on NDTV Imagine. The comedy series is reportedly based on Shafi Inamdar’s hilarious Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi and is titled Ghar Ki Baat.

Shah Rukh it seems is personally involved with the show, and was present at the shoot of the pilot episode on October 23. Juhi Babbar essays the role played by Swaroop Sampat in the original, and Sumeet Raghavan is her co-star.

Shah Rukh’s stage show Temptation Reloaded, may have missed out being in Europe but really rocked Dubai audience on October 26 . The auditorium with a capacity of 22,000 was spilling over with 26,000 strong hysterical fans who cheered King Khan as he descended on the stage on a magnificent throne. He was followed on the stage by the hunky Arjun Rampal and the gorgeous girls Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Anusha Dandekar. The surprise of the day was Gauri Khan and Arjun bringing a cake on the stage and cutting it with Khan as it was their wedding anniversary that day.

Meanwhile, SRK has agreed to accept the title of Datuk bestowed upon him by the Malacca Governor for popularizing the beautiful World Heritage Site in his movies, One 2 Ka 4 and Don.

SRK talks to Mid-Day: You Must Read

Shah Rukh Khan’s never been one to mince words. This time, too, he lives up to his reputation. He opens up about everything he’s been through in the past few months completing his film, his fight with Salman, his bonding with Akshay Kumar and more.

Your Billoo Barber is ready…
Let me just make it very clear that it is Irrfan Khan’s film. He is Billoo Barber. I am playing a big movie star in the film.

You are playing yourself?
No. I’m playing a much bigger star than I am if that is possible. His name’s Sahil Khan. We have also used the SRK and the King Khan title for him. The idea behind the film is: It is not special to be special, it is special to be ordinary. I’ve always liked this line. It’s something Shekhar Kapur once told me. I have always wanted to make films about that. It’s a story of ordinary people. I think Priyan and Lara (Dutta) have done a great job. Most actresses were reluctant to do the part but she believed in it and did it.

You’ve postponed it?
We’ve just changed the dates because I felt there were bigger films coming Subhash- ji”s (Ghai) and all. We didn’t want it to clash.

Was it re-shot because you weren’t happy?
No. I never question directors. The day I decide to question a director is the day I will start directing films. I don’t direct films. Not as yet. But I have my inputs. The songs are done in tandem with Priyan because I just believe that between Farah, myself, Pritam and Pony, we can do a music job. I am very keen that the music of this film become a big hit. Whenever you see my character the superstar it’s musically oriented, so we have Deepika, Kareena and Priyanka doing songs.

You wanted Rani too?
I wanted Rani for the main lead. But I told her, “Maybe you won’t like the role.’ Not to take away anything from Lara I am happy and very thankful to her for doing it but it’s not typically a heroine’s role in terms of length or content. Also I think Rani was very busy, and she said, “Shah…’ (pulls a sad face) and I said it’s ok. I am too close to her to question her. For the songs, we had Priyanka, Katrina, Kareena and Deepika that mould of superstar actresses who look really sexy and beautiful to choose from, and this guy dancing with them.

What’s BB all about?
It’s about a person’s life changing. The promo of the film goes something like this: Main Billoo Barber Hoon. Sab kehte hain ke sitaron se kismat aur zindagi badalti hai. Mere sitare acche hi honge. Meri biwi bahut achchi hai, mere dost bhi achche hain, kaam bhi theek thaak chal raha hai. Phir meri zindagi mein ek sitara aaya (Then you see my character) aur meri zindagi barbaad ho gayi. The whole idea behind the film is: How stars change lives. But we have taken the literal meaning of stars which is movie stars.

Which reminds me of star wars. Was the fight with Salman because you refused to do a cameo in Mr and Mrs Khanna
There’s no truth in the rumour that I was asked to do a guest appearance and I said no. He must’ve mentioned some film. We all mention films to each other. It was a full-fledged film, and I didn’t have time for it. I think they are doing it now. I think it’s the same film I don’t remember. It was just talked about. It became a big thing because people assumed that I asked him to do Om Shanti Om. To be very honest, I didn’t. Farah (Khan) did, and he has a relationship with her. I’d asked him to KBC, and I think you can ask people you have a relationship with. I try not to pressurise anyone. And they can ask me something in return. You do things for each other. I have done it before for Sajid Nadiadwala. Salman had asked me for that Raj Kanwar film, which I did.

Salman says he won’t forgive you. Your reaction?
God bless him. I think he said the smartest thing. We are different people. To be very honest, these kind of tiffs I have had, not only with Salman but with other people too. You are sitting with people, talking, and things get out of hand. I try and not to get into aggressive situations with anyone. I am not made like that. But sometimes baat hote-hote thoda sa jhagda. Utna hi tha. And I think he was, by chance, marketing his film the next morning. Obviously he was asked about it and it became public.

You think the problem would’ve sorted itself out had he not made it public?
Poor guy! I don’t think he went out speaking about it. He was marketing his film, and was asked about it. When I was not marketing my film, I wasn’t talking about it. Now I am, so we are talking about it.

The fight has divided the industry into two camps. Agree?
No. There are no camps or divisions. The fight was not such a big fight. I don’t even think it’s a fight. But having said that, for 40-year-old men who supposedly have iconic statuses I completely disagree with it. At least for me I won’t say it about Salman to be known for a tiff at two in the morning, is very embarrassing and silly.

Members of Salman’s family are still friends with Gauri and you.
I have a lot of love for his father, his mother, and him. I owe a lot of my being here to them in no other terms, except that they were very nice to me. And still are. In fact, Malaika called me for her birthday party. I have an amazing relationship with his family, and maintain that not being friends, doesn’t mean being enemies either.

Salman and I are two very different people. There is not much common ground we share. He is from the film industry, I am from the outside. He’s got a way of living, mine’s different. We have houses on the same street but once you enter the houses, they are very different. Some-times opposites attract but in our case, there not much common to really sit down and chat. And I’m not into these vehement lines like ‘we will never be friends’ etc; having said that, there was also talk about me having spoken ill of a woman which I haven’t.

It was reported that you said something derogatory about Aishwarya.
I cannot speak ill of any woman ever in my life. I take great amount of pride in the fact that I have a huge amount of respect for women. Yeah (jokingly) I might flirt and say something sweet like ‘You are looking very sexy’ but I will never speak never loosely to a woman. I am surrounded by women, beautiful women from my mother to my daughter to the actresses in between, who have loved me immensely. I cannot explain it. I’ve had some of the most beautiful relationships with some of the most beautiful women in the world. According to me, ‘the most beautiful women in the world’ at least. When you sit down with a lot of women who know me, they will talk about me from Niloufer (his media manager) to whoever. You will notice a great warmth for me because I have never belittled any woman.

Did you call her or her family to clarify?
I don’t think I needed to clarify anything. People who know me, should know that I’d never say anything like that.

Jaya Bachchan must’ve believed it to make a statement about slapping you…
No, I don’t think she believed it. I don’t know why she said what she said.

She said she would talk to you about it. Did she?
No.

Your appearance at the Drona premiere was termed as an olive branch.
I will tell you why I went to the premiere. Firstly, it is an Eros film, I went for Kishore (Lulla) it was his first premiere. Secondly, Abhishek is very fond of me, and he called to invite me. Thirdly, I’d missed Priyanka’s last premiere (Love Story 2050), which was very important to her. I am sure this was also very important, so I went. I don’t normally go to premieres. Also, they said please bring the kids and they were very keen to see it.
It was their first premiere. I wanted them all to be dressed in black and know what a premiere is all about. They were excited; they enjoyed it. They are very fond of Abhishek. Initially, I had said I wouldn’t make it as I was shooting. But then, the strike happened and I was told I was not going to shoot the next day, so I said ‘why not’. A lot of friends were going. Later, we’d call them home and sit down, chat and make an evening of it.

Goldie wants to dedicate Drona’s sequel to Aryan…
I asked him how much would he’d give Drona out of 10. He said six-and-a-half or seven. Which is quite nice. I have not had the chance to talk to Goldie and Abhishek but I would tell them that they only went wrong in the narrative, which became a little lost in the visual effects; it is a mistake that all of us can do easily. It’s very important for films like Krissh, Drona, LS 2050 to come out. It’s a new genre and will take time to find its place but I want to get into that genre and make films like that and it’s important for us to learn from this.

You are making your own superhero film shortly
Yes, I’m making Ravan with Anubhav Sinha. And if Mani is using the title, I will change it. I like the title.

Actually, the film is more about the villain. I am not playing the villain. I am going to keep the story very simple but hopefully, create an interesting villain. I have three to four people in mind. A superhero should be incidental.
A superhero is no-one without a super-villain. I’m working on the super villain and then I’ll play the superhero. I want to play a superhero before I grow too old, and the wrinkles start showing and my six pack goes. I will consciously try not to get carried away by the vfx but by the content.

The villain? It will be like an established hero?
I am not taking a hero to play a villain. It’s not like Dhoom. I might take a new person.

You and Akshay spent an hour talking at a recent party. Co-production on the anvil?
Akki and I go back a long way. We are both very simple, basic people. We know each other before a lot of people who know us now.We have done a lot of shows together. We did Dil Toh Paagal Hai together for just two days but know each other very well. He has a great sense of humour like me. We have fun things to talk about. Akshay doesn’t attend too many parties nor do we don’t attend many common parties. So when I met him, I just wanted to sit down and chat with him about a few things… work, also. Not a co-production; but yes, we talked about some shows. It’s been a long time since we worked together, so we were discussing possibilities. We had great fun doing the Awesome Foursome shows, and they were the biggest hits before Temptation. And it worked because of the energy we all bring to the table. Not a co-production, but we’ll try and do some work together. It will be nice if we can.

While on his world tour, Mr Bachchan blogged about some big star trying to sabotage his shows…
I do shows once in three years. It has been four years since I did Temptation. We were planning shows and I got busy with IPL. Then I heard about Mr Bachchan doing the shows, and I am very clear about this if one big show is going international, the other one should not even come along at the same time. It divides. Shows are a very difficult business. I told the Moranis very clearly that we are not doing a show at the same time as The Unforget-tables. Promoters still come, sir aap bolo toh hum yeh karenge, woh wala nahin karenge, humko choice do. I said ‘there’s no choice.’ I assume that when I am doing a big show, a lot of people will also think like that. It is like releasing a film on the same day.

So you are not that big star sabotaging their show?
Let me tell you something my dad used to tell me. There was a robin and an eagle living in a jungle. Lightning struck and the robin’s nest was burned down. The eagle was a good friend of the robin and wanted to break the bad news to him but didn’t how to do so. The robin told him: Giri thi kal jahaan bijli woh mera aashiyaan kyun? Which means don’t be uncomfortable, if something bad has happened, it doesn’t mean it’s about me.

When somebody writes a blog or an article, I think like the robin. That’s its not about me. If someone mentions a big star, I’m not the only big star. If it was written ‘the biggest star’, maybe. That is me. But a big star could be anyone. I wouldn’t in my wildest dreams assume that Mr Bachchan would say something like that. I wouldn’t react to it because it’s not about me.

So where do you think it was coming from?
A lot of people say a lot of things. I have somehow have not formed an equation with Wizcraft (the organisers of The Unforgettables), I have it with the Moranis. I find a three-day IIFA festival too long to attend. When they’ve said fly-in, fly-out, I have done it. Once my family forced me, because they wanted to party in Amsterdam. I went for three days and I was like (growls) ‘Arrrgh, don’t waste my time’. You’re giving me an award, I’ll come and take it. You want me to perform, I will come and perform but please… I fly in and fly out.

Teen din mujh ko aaiyashi karne ka shauk nahin hai, aur mujhe yeh samajh mein bhi nahin aata.

So it’s your way or…
In life, I am very clear. Na main kisi ko undercut karta hoon, na kar sakta hoon. Na karne ki koshish karta hoon.

I’ve always maintained this. My work is the best work. To take it ahead, I will work on it positively. To take it ahead, I won’t work negatively for someone else. I have said very clearly, I am emotionally unavailable for a lot of people, so a lot of people assume a lot of things and call me names like matlabi and manipulative. I have two beautiful innocent children and would teach them anything wrong. Tomorrow when they are 21 and they say, ‘Papa, you’re a very successful man’, I want to be able to tell them ‘Yes, and I did it with full honesty, integrity, goodness and a competitive spirit in the healthiest way.’ I am quite a self-made man. I have never asked anyone for anything. I have never given anything to anyone. I truly adhere to that, and I am happy that way. People assume I will give a little more. I have Barry John talk about me to people. I am sorry I am emotionally unavailable to a lot of things and people.

Star prices shot up after big corporates stepped in. But that’s changing now. Has that affected you?
I don’t sign up with corporates. I sign films with directors. My price is very low. I have kept it like that. I don’t want to say what I charge as it will destroy everyone. I have never asked for more, if someone gives me more, God bless them. If they give me less, okay. I will only do a film that I want to do. I am priceless. I cannot be bought with money. It’s for the viability of a film, it’s not economics. I have still not understood this even though I make films. As a producer, people ask me for a lot of money, and I give it to them. And rightly so, they want it. And we want them, so we pay them what they want. I hate talking money, but let me just say that whatever is being claimed, I have got ¼th so far. And when I say ¼th, I mean compared to 20, and not 60, 70. (laughs). I am a limited edition star, you can’t afford me but you can deserve me.

Are you planning to take Red Chillies public?
No. I am anti-public. I want to own my business.

How has the ban on smoking in public places affected you? Have you cut down on smoking?
No, I have just stopped going to public places. That’s one way to beat it (laughs). So everyone comes to my house. And I have shot three ads in my house recently. They come and shoot here and we smoke here.

You’re kidding, right?
Yes. I was busy… time constraints and all. They didn’t get a floor, we shot in the house. We have enough place. I think the ban’s a great thing. But to be really honest, I can smoke anywhere, I am Shah Rukh Khan.

Sarita Tanwar, Mid-Day

Shah Rukh Khan: The Saviour

When Shah Rukh Khan tells you that he invests his money in ICICI bank, you would like to believe him. And most people do. So it was not surprising when the bank roped in their brand ambassador to save their faces in a crisis.

With rumours floating that ICICI bank is on the verge of a financial collapse, their stock value began to drop drastically and investors began pulling out their money to prepare for a bailout. That’s when King Khan stepped in.

He might be busy jostling between hectic shooting schedules for his forthcoming films Billo Barber and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi but that didn’t stop him from squeezing time to shoot for an ad for ICICI bank, a brand that he has been endorsing for sometime now.

Shah Rukh Khan is one actor who has been endorsing the same products for years. Be it Santro, Tag Hueur, Videocon, Dish TV, Sunfeast or Pepsi, SRK has been the face of all these brands since the day he first signed the deal.

Ad guru Prahlad Kakkar says, “Apart from being available and popular, what works to rope in Shahrukh Khan as an ambassador is his creative inclination. He always provides advice and insight to make the promotion better. His creative involvement in the ad campaign is one more aspect that makes him the most wanted endorser.”

On his brand association, SRK was once quoted as saying, “I can’t endorse a whole lot of products. Whatever I am or have been endorsing, I have been associated with it for years and they are like family.”

No wonder then, that the star took time out to shoot an ad for the bank. Truly, brand ambassador ho toh aisa!

SRK to produce a TV serial

Shah Rukh Khan is known to take up unique projects. After producing films, owning a cricket team in the IPL and dabbling in real estate, the star is now all set to produce a serial for small screen.

SRK's production house Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. is making a weekly sitcom for NDTV Imagine on the lines of “Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi”, a show that won the hearts of millions of Indians.

According to sources, SRK is very much attached to small screen as he began his career with television. He has always wanted to produce shows for TV and finally his dream has come true.

The show will be titled “Ghar Ki Baat” and will focus on day-to-day lives with a humorous touch.

The show will feature some top actors like Jayati Bhatia and Sumeet Raghavan. It will also star Raj Babbar’s daughter Juhi, who failed to make it big in cinema.

Shahrukh Khan Rocks Dubai Audience

They came, they saw, and they rejuvenated the hearts of their fans in UAE who gathered to witness "Temptation Reloaded 2008".

The Country Club Hotel, Dubai presented the mega event of Bollywood Badshah Shahrukh Khan on 25th October 2008 at Dubai Festival City Arena. This event was witnessed by over 25,000 music fans from all over the emirates. The show began at 9.45 p.m sharp with a bollywood dancing troupe dancing to the tunes of "Jhoom Barabhar Jhoom".

Bollywood queens Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor, dazzled the audience with their stunning looks and performance. Katrina made an impact with the number "Jar Jara Touch Me" while Kareen Kapoor stole the first part of the show by dancing to the tunes like Dont look at me like that, Chaliya Chaliya, Yeh Ishq Hei, Dhoom Machaa Pyaar Mei. The rocking Arjun Rampal holding a guitar in his hand circled round the audience on top of a crane and kept waving at the crowd and made a dashing entry on stage, with hit numbers like Dil Kya Kehta Mei Paagal Hu, and "Rockon". The popular Bollywood choreographer Ganesh Hegde presented some of his dance sequences on stage and made an impact too. The dashing and sensational MTV VJ Anushka Dandekar stole the show with her captivating looks and Hard Kaur drew a huge round of applause for the song "Singh is Kingh".

It was now time for the Baadshah of Bollywood and the winner of 14 film fare awards "Shah Rukh Khan" (SRK) to make an entry on stage. The crowd was excited to see him descend on stage like a real king and perform live on stage with his first song "Dard ye Disco". They could not believe their eyes that he was standing right in front of them and welcomed him with a huge round of applause. He is indeed the heart throb of many women (young and old) and a lot many fans. He has carved a niche for himself and he rightly deserves the title "Baadshah of Bollywood" for he really is one and there couldnt be another better than him. SRK is indeed a multi talented personality. He stunned the audience with his sonorous voice and interacting abilities. He is indeed a gift from above and this was revealed by the crowd who cheered and kept on applauding in between his dance sequences. He highlighted his new project SRK boulevard in RAK properties UAE. He gave the audience what they expected from him a thorough entertainment and dance sequences for songs like Aanko mei teri, Don, Pretty Woman, Thumko Paaya, Thum Paas Aaao, Thuje Dekha Tho Ye Jaana Sanam, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Tauba Hei Kya He Ishaara, Dil Ka Maamla to name a few. .

It was a 3 hours non-stop entertainment of rocking and mesmerising Bollywood melodies, glitz, glamour, songs and dances in true Bollywood style performed by SRK, Katrina, Kareena, Arjun Rampal, Anushka, Hard Kaur and Ganesh Hegde along with the troupe.

The Consul General of India Venu Rajmony addressed the gathering on this special occasion and said that Bollywood with people like SRK has the best to offer. India is really proud of all that Bollywood has achieved and congratulated each and every artist that entertains millions of viewers spread all over the world. It was SRKs and Gauris Wedding anniversary and a cake was cut to mark the occasion.
The event was produced by Red Chillies International and supported by Country Club Dubai, SRK boulevard, Pan Emirates, Sony and Orbit Events. The stage, sound, light and screen installations were well synchronized and was a treat to the eyes and ears of the audience. Kudos to the organizers who put up such a magnificent show.

The finale round saw SRK along with all the artists perform on stage with foot tapping songs like Bachnaa Yeh Hasino, Dance with me baby, Dont talk to stranger, Mauja Mauja, Dekho Dekho Yeh Shaam Mastani, and concluded with the title song of Om Shanthi Om. Sharukh Khan has proved to the audience that he is indeed an ace performer with his mix music, songs, dances and acting abilities all rolled into one big showcase.

He proved that he is indeed a thorough entertainer in the "Temptation Reloaded 2008" show. His fans would look forward to many more events like these in future.

Shahrukh Khan Rocks Dubai

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in London

Filmmaker Karan Johar was in London this week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH) which took the box office by storm, not just in India but broke records in the UK. It’s been 10 years but seems like British Indians just can’t get enough of this blockbuster.

Surrounded by fans, posing for the shutterbugs Johar is as big a star as any of the leading actors in his films. And Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was the film that launched his career as a director 10-years-ago.

When it released in October 1998, It broke records, set trends and gave Bollywood a ‘designer’ look. It also tapped into the huge overseas market. In the UK, the film earned over £1.75 million, breaking every record for Hindi films until then.

“I think what connected at that point of time was the basic rootedness and the western exterior. The film had an Indian soul with a western blend and that’s the combination that worked well. In fact that’s what both DDLJ (Dilwale Duhaniya Le Jayenge) and KKHH did,” said Johar

And even after 10 years, it seems Indians in the UK just can’t get enough.

“I think I have seen KKHH 50 timese, now I also narrate the dialogues when I’mwatching the film which is quite annoying for the family,” said a KKHH fan.

“It was my son’s birthday which was a special occasion for the family. So I went with my mother and kids to watch the film. We were three generations watching the film together,” said another fan.

While the film evokes cherished memories for many, for its director, there is that one special moment.

“The scene where Kajol and SRK in the rain, that one moment in the gazebo, I remember watching it on the monitor and thought to myself - ‘I think I have a special film’,” recalled Johar.

The trend that began with DDLJ got a further boost with KKHH. It opened a huge NRI market for Indian films as Indians living abroad went back to the cinema theatres in droves. And 10 years on, it still remains one of the favourite and most successful films coming out of Bollywood in a decade.

Crowd goes berserk, fan faints at Shah Rukh Khan press conference

Dubai: A girl fainted while waiting outside the hotel to catch a glimpse of Bollywood charmer Shah Rukh Khan and was rushed to hospital, while inside it was pandemonium at a press conference venue.

Fans shouted, “Shah Rukh we love you,” as sponsors of the show had invited hundreds of guests while some people with cameras posed as photographers to get closer to the star.

Shah Rukh is in Dubai for the Temptation Reloaded 2008 show at Dubai Festival City Arena on Saturday. The sponsors expect a huge crowd and will open the gates at 3 pm for the 9 pm show.

The press conference venue at the Country Club seemed very small for the number of guests invited and there were more fans than media persons. As the conference ended, teenagers ran behind the star seeking his autograph.

The Khan entourage at the show includes Bollywood beauties Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and UK-based singer Hard Kaur dancing to their hit Bollywood numbers.

'I have reached a point in my life where I don't have to do live shows for money. It's not about the money anymore nor do I think it's a platform to showcase our talents. Such dance shows are my way of thanking my fans for their support and their love,' says Khan in his signature exuberant yet self-effacing style.

Unfortunately, his loyal fan-base on seeing their superhero at an arm's length got a bit carried away. Girls swooning and dozens pushing against the flimsy barricades to catch a glimpse of the actor was the order of the evening.

Asked if he regretted his decision of turning into a property developer in the UAE earlier this month considering the dismal economic climate, Khan said he was optimistic about the scenario.

'Yes, the timing was a bit off. But I am positive that it would turn all around. And honestly, the global recession has not touched us as yet. In my opinion, recession is not going to take people away from their homes or their decision to buy one,' says Khan.

The actor is now involved in a Dh8 billion (US$2.18bn) residential development on Dana Islands in Ras al Khaimah.

Meanwhile, the reticent actor Arjun Rampal, who has found success recently as a guitar-toting musician in the movie Rock On!, promised to kick up a storm in true head-banging style.

Khan was quick to pitch in that the extravaganza would be a testament to all the gruelling rehearsals.

'We have put in a lot of hardwork and though we may not look as good as Kareena or Katrina, you will not return home disappointed.'

Everyone's invited to Shah Rukh's party

It’s Shah Rukh Khan’s 17th wedding anniversary. And all his fans in the UAE are invited to the party. Arjun Rampal revealed that October 25, the day on which SRK’s Temptation Reloaded 2008 show is scheduled in Dubai, is the star’s wedding anniversary.

“It’s rare for him to get permission from wife Gauri to have a show on this day. So we are going to make it a memorable night,” said the actor.

Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Hard Kaur, Anusha Dandekar and Ganesh Hegde are among the stars slated to perform along with SRK and Arjun at the show to be held at the Dubai Festival City Arena.

SRK and Arjun spoke about the show at a press conference in Dubai held on Thursday at the Country Club Hotel, the main sponsor of the event.

It was the most badly organised press conference we have ever attended and we hope the show will be better organised. But despite the crowds of fans at the venue and SRK having to pass the single mike around to the organisers and sponsors who spoke before him, the actor kept his cool and was as witty and charming as ever. He answered questions about his films, endorsements, cricket and controversies.

“As you get older, occasions like anniversaries become moments to celebrate the love I share with my family. So I am happy that my family, friends and fans will be with me on that day. The show will be informal and you can see me be funny and make a fool of myself like I usually do with my family. These shows are not about displaying my talent. They are about getting in touch with my audience to say a personal thank you. It is our way of hosting a party for those who have given me a lot of love,” said SRK.

“It has been four years since I performed in the UAE and we want to give our best. Although Arjun and I are not good dancers, we have been rehearsing hard to match steps with Katrina and Kareena. We will dance and jump our hearts out and make sure that everyone has a great time and feels entertained,” he added.

Here’s our pick of five SRK quips of the day:

Between Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Raj Thakeray, who would you like to invite for tea?
SRK: I don’t drink tea. I drink coffee or Pepsi. And invitations to our house are decided by my wife. But jokes apart all three are old friends and would make for interesting teatime conversation. And I can tell you that they all behave like gentlemen at teatime.

Are you a better actor or property developer?
That is for my audience and the people who buy the homes to decide.

Will the financial crisis affect your plans for SRK Boulevard?
My timing was perfect wasn’t it? But my partners tell me that people will still need houses.

After movies, cricket and property, which other field do you want to get into?
I would like to do something for the education of kids and women. I respect women and really want to do something for all the women of the Eastern world.

Will you join the Country Club?
I had a lower middle class upbringing and was not fortunate enough to go to clubs, so I am not used to the club culture. My wife is a member of all the clubs and I just go along.

Stage shows a way of partying with fans: Shah Rukh

It’s not for the money or the fame that Shah Rukh Khan does stage shows, but to get up close and party with his fans. “These shows are not a show of talent or some amazing skill that you possess. This is our way of partying with people who have shared so much love and happiness with us,” Shah Rukh Khan said in the course of a media interaction here ahead of his Temptation Reloaded stage show scheduled for Saturday night.

“I have been working for 21 years and I don’t really get the opportunity to thank each of my fans personally,” he said.

“I am old now,” he continued, “and it is quite difficult to do live shows. Some days, I get up and I say I don’t really have to do this. It is not for the money, not for the fame any more.”

Shah Rukh returns to Dubai after a gap of four years for a live stage show.

Dubai is part of the Temptation Reloaded world tour that the Bollywood star is doing along with Arjun Rampal, Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor.

The tour started in Rotterdam in Holland in June and continued in Singapore.

The show will be compered by MTV video jockey Anusha Dandekar and choreographed by Ganesh Hegde of “Lagaan” fame.

Britain based desi-rapper Hard Kaur will also perform before the Dubai audience.

The show is being sponsored by Country Club Group of India, which has opened a new resort in Dubai this year.

According to the organisers, the show is expected to draw around 18,000 people at the Dubai Festival City Arena.

Dubai is home to around 700,000 of the 1.5 million expatriate Indians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Event organiser threatens legal action against Shah Rukh

The organiser of a Shah Rukh Khan international show has decided to take legal action against the actor for cancelling at the last minute.Says Qasim Ali, global manager of Sensasian Media which was managing the Temptation Reloaded show, "After Shah Rukh Khan decided to cancel the shows, I sent him an SMS requesting him to do at least one show but he did not revert. We have lost about one million euros in this whole deal and will demand compensation from the actor.''

Qasim Ali says a clause in the contract he signed with Khan states that the star has the right to keep the down payments in case of cancellation. "So, we have come to the conclusion that the shows have been cancelled on purpose,'' he said.

Khan had reportedly exited three days before the October 17,18 and 19 gigs in Germany because the "organiser had defaulted''. Industry watchers say this is the first time the box-office boss, known to be a professional, had pulled out of a show. When contacted, Khan said, "They can say what they want, all this will be dealt with in a legal way as it should be. So I am not really the right person to ask. The cancellation was a decision based on the requirements most important for the show, including finance, accommodation, travel etc which were not met. The legality of it is being followed by the legal department and things will take their course.''

In an attempt to keep the show rolling, Sensasian Media renamed Temptation Reloaded `Temptation Unloaded'. German television comedian Kaya Yanar took the stage at Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. Almost 10,000 SRK fans Khan who had bought tickets to all three shows were promised a refund.

Khan also called off the Spanish leg of the tour (organised by another party) since it followed the shows in Germany. An industry insider said that this is not the first time Sensasian Media has bungled. "It happened earlier this year in the case of Shilpa Shetty and the Bachchan family's Unforgettable show. The company failed to organise these shows,'' the source said.

Shahrukh Khan to bear cost of travelling Malaysia

Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan, who will receive his Datukship on Nov 29, will bear all expenses during his one-night stay here.

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the state government would not spend a single sen to bring the actor here.

"He is paying for his ticket but of course as our guest we will provide him with accommodation. It's only polite that we do that," he said at his Hari Raya open house at Rumah Melaka in Jalan Bellamy yesterday.

Ali said the actor will spend a night in Malacca after the installation ceremony, which will be carried live on India's most popular television channel Zee TV.

"The ceremony will begin at 10am at the Dewan Sri Negeri and his fans can also come and see him there if they want to."
Later the actor will be taken around the state to visit places like the Malacca river, Taming Sari and the Eye on Malaysia.

On criticisms the Malacca government has received since announcing that Khan would be conferred the award, Ali said: "Believe it or not, all those criticisms have been good for us as it has actually given us a boost in terms of popularity and many people know us more now."

He also said the actor's agent had informed the state government that Khan was keen to film more movies in Malacca.

"He will do more films here and promote Malacca as the new hub for Bollywood films.

"I believe the scenic views here have much to offer the Bollywood film industry and the best thing is that we don't have to pay a single sen for it as others are popularising Malacca for us without any cost."

SRK & his Knight Riders will Rock!

As the curtains come down on former India skipper Sourav Ganguly’s international career after the Australia series, he will still have a major role in leading Kolkata Knight Riders in the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), said team owner and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

Most of the team policies are decided by him (Ganguly’s) and we will all sit down with him and discuss where he stands and, inshallah, he will play as well for the Knight Riders as he did last season, Shah Rukh told IANS here.

Shah Rukh said that his team will start the next season with a three-week camp in January ahead of the second edition of the tournament slated for May. In that pre-season camp, we will all sit down and Sourav will form an important part of that decision (making process), Shah Rukh said.

In the first edition, the Knight Riders failed to make the semi-finals despite getting off to a good start. On Ganguly’s retirement, the actor felt that great players could only decide when to go.

I respect him too much. It’s an honour that he is a part of Kolkata Knight Riders. If Kolkata Knight Riders becomes a force to reckon with it will only be because of Sourav, he said.

Shah Rukh also said that the management has already started planning for an improved show in the second edition of the IPL. We don’t want to disturb him (Ganguly) yet. We have started having meetings for the Knight Riders for the last five-six days and by January we will sit down with him and take his decisions into account, he said.

NGO steps in to free Pakistani SRK fan

Sparc seeks intervention of Indian high commissioner in Islamabad to release teenager, a diehard Shah Rukh Khan fan, who crossed border to make it big in Bollywood.

A Pakistani NGO has approached the Indian high commissioner here, seeking the release of a teenager — a diehard fan of Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) — who crossed over in pursuit of a career in Bollywood but landed up in an observation home in Faridkot, Punjab.

In a letter to Satyabrata Pal, Rafiq Khan, national manager of Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (Sparc), says Nasir Sultan, 15, was arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) for illegal infiltration, after which Ferozepur Police booked him under the Passport Act of 1920.

He says the “innocent” Nasir left home on August 16, 2008, for school but did not return home.

“Sick with worry, his parents started a search for him. Nasir is a huge fan of Shah Rukh Khan and always wanted to meet him,” his father said in an interview with Sparc.

He added that “it is quite likely that the boy may have crossed over to show his love for the great Indian idol, since we would have never allowed him to go to India”.

Two months later, on October 15, 2008, Nasir told his parents over phone from Faridkot district court that he was in a jail for children. He said he crossed over to the Indian side and was arrested by the BSF.

Khan says Nasir’s parents are worried and would like to see their son back home as soon as possible.

“At the same time, they are aware of the complications because of the relations between the two countries. Nasir’s father Zareen Khan works at a petrol pump in Chitral. Obviously, with limited resources, it will be difficult for this man to pursue his son’s freedom effectively without the help of the state machinery. Therefore, Sparc has taken up the case.”

The letter further states that the young man’s life and future are at stake.

“Therefore,” it adds, “We would request you to take up the case of Nasir with your government at the earliest and shorten his confinement in India. His case requires sympathy and compassion on the part of both the states and we hope and pray sincerely that Nasir will be with his parents in Dir Upper very soon.”