Controversy left me numb says Shah Rukh Khan, refuses to apologise

"Numb" was the word actor Shah Rukh Khan used to describe his state of mind during the raging controversy over the release of his latest film My Name is Khan, following Shiv Sena protests here.

The 44-year-old superstar said that what hurt him the most was the fact that his "Indianness" was questioned again and again.

The actor said that he would have apologised to the Shiv Sena if it was the content of his film that they found offensive, but did not do so because he didn't understand the "logic" behind their anger.

"If they had a problem with my film, I would have apologised. I have done so earlier because I do not want to offend anyone with my films, my aim is to entertain. But this was about who I am as a person and my Indianness and I was hurt that I had to clarify it again and again," said Shahrukh in an interaction with Star News.

The Shiv Sena had launched an attack on the actor after he supported the inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL and threatened to disrupt MNIK's release in Mumbai.

The actor was on a whirlwind world tour when the controversy escalated and lead to violence in Mumbai.

"I just wanted to rush back home....It was like living in a bad dream and I was constantly worried that someone might get hurt, because I want my film to make people happy, that is all I want," said Shah Rukh.

The film had a limited release in Mumbai and Gujarat last Friday, but opened to full houses across the rest of the country and received positive reviews.

The actor said that he has "great respect" for the Sena leaders who attacked him over his IPL comments, but feels that politics and patriotism should not have been mixed with entertainment.

"They are much older than me and I have great respect for them. But I did not understand why was the film dragged in between. I am one of those who believe that entertainment and politics should not be mixed.

"I did not understand why was my Indianness questioned. My father is a freedom fighter and I am proud of that," said the actor.

Shah Rukh who thanked his fans for supporting him and his film, said that he often unwittingly courts controversy.

"Controversy seems to have become my middle name. My wife has advised me to steer clear of any dialogues written by myself," he said.

It was wife Gauri Khan, who along with daughter Suhana went out to theatres to gauge the public's reaction on the film's release day, that kept the actor posted on all the developments.

"I was in constant touch with Guari and she told me that my fans were coming out to watch the film and were liking it. I have to thank my fans for it all," said the actor.

Shahrukh Khan the wittiest actor in Bollywood

‘My name is Khan’ star Shahrukh Khan, as everyone knows, is always filled to the brim with his witty one-liners and impromptu jokes. And while he does take an occasional dig at others (e.g. ‘My dog refuses to be named Aamir’), he even takes swipes at himself and his near ones (read Karan Johar).

Recently, the King Khan graced the stage at the IIPM Marketing and Business Quiz at Bangalore (now named as Bengaluru) and he once again yielded his wand to its utmost magical effect.

So impressed and stupefied was Arindham Chaudhari (Dean of Centre for Economic Research and Advanced Studies, IIPM), that he lavished bucketfuls of praise in applause of the maverick man SRK. “Even though, he (SRK) was stressed backstage, it took him seconds to leave his thoughts behind and transform into a magician on stage. He made people laugh for four and a half hours with his instant wit and admirable intelligence. And to imagine what he was going through all along made it all the more special. It was without doubt the grandest SRK show I have ever seen,” quips an awe-struck Arindham.

Even, in Oscars 2009, when SRK climbed on to the stage to make an announcement, he mouthed a few words that left a lasting impression to the spectators even though SRK was on stage for barely a couple of minutes.

Whenever, you go through any of his interviews in magazines or newspapers, you will always find your lips taking an upward curve every few seconds. Overflowing with intelligence, this man also is a proud possessor of an elephantine memory and once his tongue starts wagging, our bellies start wobbling…….

Shortened version of 'MNIK' to release in US

This summer, My Name Is Khan (MNIK) will be playing for a non-NRI audience in theatres across the US. The version of MNIK that American audiences will get to see will be different from the one released so far in India and overseas for NRI audiences.

Confirms Shah Rukh Khan, “Yes, we are cutting down the length of the film for the American audience. Their requirements are different from the traditional audience for Hindi cinema. We’re in this way extending the life span of a Hindi film with first a worldwide release for Indian audiences and then phased out releases for non-Indian audiences.”

Says the film director Karan Johar, “Yes, the version for Americans will be shorter though not radically different. We’ve left the American version’s editing to the film’s editor Deepa Bhatia. She understands what would be palatable to American audiences. She has edited films for everyone, from me to Govind Nihalani.”

Karan admits it’s not the songs nor the length that will determine the shape and size of the American version of MNIK. “The first thing we heard from the American market is that they love the songs. So the songs stay. Deepa Bhatia is looking at what to remove.”

WATCH: Karan Johar on a high post MNIK

Bollywood's most successful commerical director Karan Johar maybe riding high on the success of My Name Is Khan but it is not just the box office that has him beaming.

For the filmmaker My Name Is Khan has been his biggest challenge, one that has clearly paid off since it has garnered the kind of critical acclaim he hasn't seen before this.

"You can say it's my best reviewed film, and how heartening it is," said Karan.

And after the roller coaster ride that's been the last few years and most notably the last week he has big plans.

"Right now I'm going on a long holiday and throwing my phone away, my audio says good luck with that," said Karan.

WATCH THE VIDEO

'My Name Is Khan' soundtrack good intro to Bollywood music

My Name Is Khan may go down as the most controversial movie of the year that most Americans have never heard of. The Indian Bollywood film, about a Muslim man in San Francisco with Asperger's syndrome whose behavior is mistaken for that of a terrorist, sparked angry protests in Mumbai. Simultaneously, it has been drawing packed houses in India and cities around the world with a significant South Asian population. Fox Searchlight is distributing the film in the U.S. (The film opened in North Texas last week and continues its run at the FunAsia theaters in Richardson and Irving, and the MacArthur Marketplace in Irving.)

Generating far less outrage is the soundtrack, being released here through Sony in an elaborate package (including a 24-page booklet) and retailing for only $9.98. With music composed by the trio of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa, and featuring Pakistani qawwali vocalist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (the nephew of the late, great Sufi and devotional singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan), the My Name Is Khan soundtrack covers the Bollywood spectrum from lush symphonic music to love songs and saccharin pop-rock.

But the best material -- and what makes this set a nice introduction to Bollywood music for those who know little about it -- are the infectious up-tempo tracks such as Sajdaa, Tere Naina, and Allah Hi Reham. These slickly produced tracks are guaranteed to get the feet moving and hips shaking. And, for less than $10, you can't go wrong.