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.