SRK on Different Roles!

For those who think that Shah Rukh Khan cannot play anything beyond stereotypical characters, think again.

Shah Rukh’s close buddy Karan Johar has challenged Shah Rukh’s acting abilities by asking him to play an autistic in his next, My Name is Khan. No doubt SRK will take inspiration from Dustin Hoffman, who played an autistic in Rain Man, a 1988 film by Barry Levinson, which tells the story of an abrasive, selfish yuppie, Charlie Babbitt, who discovers that his father has left all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his brother, Raymond, a savant, whom he never knew existed.

Shah Rukh did not take long to say ‘yes’ to Karan. Our well-placed source in Bollywood says, “SRK can’t wait for the film to begin. He is very excited about playing this different
character.” Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder, which starts off in childhood. It is characterised by impaired communication, excessive rigidity, and emotional detachment.
“However, he will have to wait since My Name Is Khan has been delayed. Karan had allowed Aditya Chopra to start Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi first, so SRK will first free himself from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and then get on to this challenging role,” our source adds.

A source close to Shah Rukh says, “He’s adventurous and dares to take risks, he dares to be different, and break all rules. It is a misconception that he is repetitive and does not like to play different characters. His performances in Swades and Chak De! India are the best examples to prove this point. My Name Is Khan will be a trump card in SRK’s repertoire. Playing an autistic person will be challenging. Shah Rukh will have to do a lot of homework.”

Shah Rukh Khan's Blog

Shah Rukh writes:

We had started with two outstanding victories to set the pace for IPL 20-20 cricket. Then, four times in a row, we have seen the match being given away at the last minute. The critics were quick to comment, but our war cry has never been silenced. If anything, the thirst for victory is now stronger in us. And our motto is strengthened by the faithful fans who chant along with us, even in our weakest moments, ''Korbo! Lorbo! Jeetbo Re!''

We then bounced back with three great victories. After that, we were beaten in Mumbai and then were unlucky with the rain at our beloved Eden Gardens. Now, we are in a position where we can still bounce back and do well in the tournament.

It is you, fans, and your generous wishes and comments that have always driven the passion in us. For that, I am thankful. I know that even when we lose a wicket, you will be there to cheer us on so that the batsman heading to the pavilion can walk with head raised, so that the batsman coming in to play can feel encouraged, and so that the opponent knows what incredible force they are up against.

And the fact that we are a force to be reckoned with cannot be denied. We may have had a few bad days on the field, but the game is still on. We are prepared. I have faith in the invaluable experience of our senior players, and in the endless potential and talent of our younger Knight Riders like Ashok Dinda and Ishant Sharma. They are gems in the rough, raring to show the opponent what they are made of. It is an unbeatable mix.

Our captain, Sourav, has been quick to draw attention from critics who think he is not well suited to the 20-20 format. A few outstanding performances, not just with bat and ball but sharp captaincy as well, should answer all those questions. It was a proud moment when he was adjudged Man of the Match. My faith in him and the team cannot be shaken.

Also, Shoaib is finally here with the team, and won a match for us against Delhi. His injury is a worry, but I am sure he will recover and play a part in the forthcoming matches.

Some big games are coming up, and we need your support. We have had a good start, and a bad patch down the line. But, like in the movies, can you have a truly happy ending without some rough competition in the middle?

Lets wait for the happy ending!!

Shah Rukh Khan, KolkataKnightRiders.com

'We have nothing to lose now, except our character'

The Kolkata Knight Riders owner, Shah Rukh Khan, may not attend the team’s next (and last) match at home, against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday, too. He was not present at the Eden last night either.

Shah Rukh has, among other things, conveyed that to the team via an emotional, highly motivational and lengthy SMS this afternoon. He also dismissed talk of differences between him and captain Sourav Ganguly and coach John Buchanan.

The team is in the capital for tomorrow’s Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against the Delhi DareDevils.

The following is the SMS, forwarded to The Telegraph by a member of the Knight Riders squad:

“Story time boys... I told you if you keep losing you have to bear with my long, boring msgs.... This is your punishment.... Many times I have made movies which don’t do well.... When I’m doing them, of course, I don’t know they won’t do well.... The story is written by somebody else and I just do my bit as an actor. But I have a way of dealing with flop stories..., I try my best to keep my character in the film at a level that it makes a failed story also special for me....

“I enjoy the work.... I make jokes about the failure.... And, of course, feel awful about it too.... So, right now, all of us have become part of a failed script... A bad IPL script.... Let’s try and keep our characters worthy of still looking back at this story and remembering it as a special story becos we all worked very hard at this....

“So, chin up and don’t spoil yr character in the next two games.... Let’s go out with a bang and not a whimper.... In films, we say u r only as good as yr last film.... So let’s make the whole world know how good we r in the last (maybe not) two games...

“Also, do ignore all this bit about Dada, me and John having issues.... It’s a normal thing in the world.... People like to hit you when u r down.... So, we will be hit.... No stress.... It will make us stronger.... The only way to avoid this is to win.... That’s one of the reasons why everybody likes to be a winner....

“On the other hand, the beauty of failure is that it brings people together.... So, let’s stick this out together.... You know me well enuff to know I am not the kind of owner who has issues with the team ’cos of losses... I am too much of a sport myself to get beaten by defeats.... Like you guys are.... Like Dada and John....

“I am still trying to understand the code of conduct expected of me at the matches of the IPL.... ICC... Etc.... After I understand it, I will decide whether to accept it or not.... Till such time, I will be with you guys at the hotel... in the meetings etc., but won’t come for the matches.... So, please don’t ever feel it is anything to do with us as a team....

“I am as dedicated to my Knights as I am to my kids.... Only, I won’t be coming to the class room till the headmaster’s rules are understood by me.... I am a bit anti-Establishment kind of a guy, so I apologise for this quirk to u all.... So, head’s up.... Have a good match and let’s make 200 runs tomorrow.... This 150 seems to not work any more....

“We have nothing to lose now, except our character.... Let’s not lose that.... Lov... SRK.”