Here's Sandi, the fan who gifted SRK the moon!

As mostly your favourite portal has another exclusive. We finally managed to locate Sandi, the dedicated and sincere Shahrukh Khan fan, who recently hogged the headlines by gifting a piece of moon to her hero on his 44th birthday (like on many previous ones!). She was mentioned by none other than King Khan himself, who thanked her personally! Well she is from Australia and a member of King Khan's fan site. And this is what she has to say:

Yes, it's true that I bought a block of land on the Moon for King Khan, as I wanted him to be the first Hindi film hero on the Moon! I want him to always be first with everything... For his birthday in 2002, I had a star in the Scorpius constellation named after him, (which was also a first for a Hindi hero) and the Moon idea was to follow the ASOKA theme of the Sun, the Moon and the Stars. Maybe for next birthday, I will have organized something to represent the Sun

Though I have written to Shah Rukh many times, I know that he doesn't answer fan mail, but when he mentioned me in his interview, it's more than compensated! I was understandably "over the Moon" with joy. Shah Rukh has shown me such respect and gratitude for what I have done for him that he will always be my hero.

It is only because Shah Rukh himself has personally mentioned the land on the Moon that it has become such major news all over the world, and I am so happy that it has made him smile. I would do anything for that, but I don't know how I will top this!

Well, we wish you the best and hope that you top it with King Khan's very next birthday Sandi!

Shahrukh Bola Khoobsurat Hain Tu to premiere at IFFI 2009

A feature film narrating the story of a young girl whose life changes after Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan utters "a few magical words" to her, will be premiered at the International film Festival of India (IFFI) 2009.

Shahrukh Bola Khoobsorat Hain Tu, a Hindi movie directed by theatre veteran Makrand Deshpande will be premiered during IFFI in Goa to be held from November 23 to December 3.

"The film is about a poor girl who sells flowers at a traffic signal and how her life changes after a chance encounter with King Khan, who rolls down the window of his car and tells her, Tu Khoobsurat Hai," said Deshpande.

Shah Rukh Khan remembers his mentor Hema Malini

Celebrated as one of the top-notch Bollywood actors, people may try to cut back Shah Rukh Khan by calling him a snob or an egoist, yet, the truth is that the actor is an genuine artist and a considerate human being who still remembers his roots!
The undisputed king of Bollywood recently paid a surprise visit to yesteryears ‘Dream Girl’ Hema Malini when he learnt that the actress was shooting near his pad. It is believed that they spent some quality time together while reliving old memories of their first film ‘Dil Aashna Hai.’

While speaking to a news daily, a source said, “The unit of ‘Tell Me O Khuda’ was shooting at KK Manzil, next to SRK’s house with Esha Deol, Arjan Bajwa and Chandan Roy Sanyal. The entire set was abuzz as they saw SRK. He headed straight for Hemaji who was present with the director Mayur Puri, and greeted her. Hemaji was pleasantly surprised and SRK met everyone with a lot of affection. SRK stayed on the sets for close to 45 minutes and fondly recalled the experience of shooting for ‘Dil Aashna Hai’ and the early years of his career.”

Another source maintained, “When SRK, who was relaxing at his house, learnt that there was a shoot in progress nearby, he inquired about who was shooting there. When he heard that it was Hema Malini, he immediately went to meet her. SRK still remembers his struggling days and the fact that Hemaji readily gave him a lead role in her directorial debut film, ‘Dil Aashna Hai.’ It went on to become SRK’s debut as well, although he had signed ‘Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman’ and ‘Deewana’ earlier. He spoke at length with Hemaji, inquired about the film and even wished Esha luck for her comeback vehicle.”

When enquired Hema Malini, the veteran star confirmed the news and said, “Yes, he came to see me and Esha. I was shooting next to his house and it was very sweet of him to drop in to wish me. He has always shown respect for me and it was very nice of him.”

The world according to SRK

Okay, so he turned 44 on November 2. His son, Aryan, at age 12, is on the cusp of becoming a teenager, his daughter, Suhana, is now nine, and vis-à-vis domestic matters, life is on a steady keel for Shah Rukh Khan.

Gauri Khan has shed her shyness to walk the ramp for a couture line designed by buddy Karan Johar, and she's rated the number one party hostess in showtown today. Besides making personal phone calls to the invitees, she ensures all of them are at ease in their roomy bungalow Manna — even though some of the film personalities may be at loggerheads.

When Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine was in town, the Khans hosted a dinner for him. Earlier, Hollywood's Gerard Butler was fêted, and, of course, at the SRK birthday bash on Tuesday, the who's who of Bollywood turned up, with children being invited for an early evening playfest with the Khans' kids.

If there have been any downers for the actor, it has been the performance of his IPL cricket team, which has been faring disappointingly on the field for two years. His home production, Billoo Barber, didn't seduce the cash counters, and there has been the recurring back problem which doesn't actually slow up the high-energy actor, but certainly becomes a reason for constant medical check-ups. 
Last year, SRK did have Rab ne Bana di Jodi to be gung-ho about. This year though, it's largely been a no-show, unless you count the cameo in Billoo Barber. The year may well be snatched away, in terms of prominence, by Aamir Khan whose 3 Idiots is expected to be released next month.

Next year will kick off auspiciously though, with SRK staring in Karan Johar's My Name is Khan. The major film he shoots next is being produced by his own company, Red Chillies.

Quirkily titled Raa-One (Raavan, get it?), this futuristic fantasy is to be directed by Anubhav Sinha, who doesn't have much of a track record, what with films like Cash to his credit. For the actor, the IPL cricket series will continue to be a point of focus again next year. Also in the works, there's his third tie-up with Farah Khan, who gave him two big hits with Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om.

That's the update on him, and if you try to fire an interview question at him, he laughs "Come on, I've been on the scene for more than 20 years now. I'm asked questions the entire day by my office people, by everyone around me, by my directors, my producers. Please, I like people who give 
me answers."

In his characteristic rat-a-rat style, he says, "On my last birthday, a journalist asked me very sweetly how I would celebrate with my parents. "I didn't get angry, but I was confused. If she wanted to know something about me, she should have known the basics. How could she not know that my parents have passed away?"

SRK is famously media-savvy. After graduating in economics, he enrolled for a master's degree in Mass Communication at Delhi's Jamia Milia Islamia institute.

Television and films happened, so those studies were left incomplete. Ask him about the state of the media today, and he responds. "Two things have happened in television and print media. None of us have much time, we are all busy. Earlier, we used to get information through the newspapers or television. We used to form our opinions on the basis of that information.

"Now, it's no longer information. Now it's an analysis that X is correct and Y is wrong. So what happens is already analysed for you. You don't have to think anymore."

According to him, wild assumptions have become endemic. "If I haven't gone to a particular place to meet a certain person, why is it assumed that I don't like that person? Maybe I was not invited, but it's already been analysed and it's there for all to read and believe.

"I still don't speak to quite a lot of magazines and papers. Not because I've an ego, I just don't want to be a part of their world."

The assumptions being referred could have something to do with Khan's hot and cold professional relationship with Amitabh Bachchan. Dipping for a metaphor, SRK remarks, "So many people go swimming but I don't participate. I don't like swimming. But when I see other people swimming, it doesn't irritate me.

"I've gone beyond the stage of being judgemental. What you do is fine by me, but I don't have to participate in it. I take my kids to the swimming pool. I sit in the corner, I enjoy a cigarette and a coffee. But people ask, 'You don't swwwwiiimm?' Listen, swimming is great, but I don't swim."

No need to ask Shah Rukh Khan more questions. He knows what you want to hear. He's a cool 
guy, so don't mess with him (Salman Khan?) and he won't mess with you.

He concludes, "I've received 
the Padmashree honour in India, I've received honours in Malyasia, in France and the UK. I'm at Madame Tussauds, I've got a lovely house, beautiful children, a lovely family and I've got beautiful friends. They matter to me, not what the media or anyone wants to make of me."

(The writer has been reviewing Bollywood ever since he was in diapers. He has also scripted three films and directed three including Fiza. Currently, he is working on his next film Rutba)