Shah Rukh Khan stars in tale of Mumbai flower girl

A new Bollywood film that explores the popularity of Shah Rukh Khan, has the actor's name in its title and features conversations about him is wooing audiences at the annual film festival in Goa.

Khan also has a two-minute cameo in "Shahrukh Bola Khoobsurat Hai Tu", about a flower girl in Mumbai whose life changes after a chance meeting with the actor who tells her that she is beautiful.

"To change ugliness to beauty, that is the power of a star. I have seen Shah Rukh becoming that kind of a star over the years," director Makrand Deshpande told reporters at the 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in the tourist haven of Goa.

Khan, 44, is one of India’s biggest stars, having acted in Bollywood films for nearly two decades, and has a massive fan following.

"If he hadn't worked so hard to become that, this film wouldn't have been made," Deshpande said.

Deshpande, an actor himself, said he hoped to release the film in cinemas early next year and admitted that Khan's name would help promote "Shahrukh Bola Khoobsurat Hai Tu".

"Yes, my film will definitely benefit from the fact that it has Shah Rukh Khan's name in it, at least till the marketing and publicity stage. After that it will work on its own merit," said Deshpande.

The film had its premiere at the film festival in Goa.

Wish Shahrukh was here, says Makrand Deshpande

Actor and director Makrand Deshpande would have loved to have superstar Shahrukh Khan for the premiere of his film “Shahrukh Bola Tu Khoohbsurat Hai” at the 40th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here.

“I had invited Shahrukh here for the premiere of my film, but he told me that he would attend the opening night instead,” Deshpande told reporters.

Speaking about his film, Deshpande, known for his quirky roles like that of a gangling ascetic in Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “Swades”, said that the movie was about a girl who has a small brush with Shahrukh Khan in real life which completely transforms her life.

“This girl is in a very bad mood, when Shahrukh suddenly as a matter of chance passes by the street in a car and says ‘tu khoobsurat hai!’ (you are beautiful!). It changes the life of this flower-selling girl,” Deshpande said.

Speaking about his role as a director, Deshpande said that experience in theatre held him in good stead.

“I did not really know when I said action (for the first time). I think I was always a director,” he quipped.

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 inaugurates the 38th IFFI

The 38th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-07) got off to a flying start today at Goa. Noted film actor Shahrukh Khan inaugurated the Festival in the presence of Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri P. R. Dasmunsi and Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Digambar Kamat. The inaugural lamp was lit with the assistance of Priyamani, the rising star of south.

In his remarks, Shahrukh Khan said, “this premier event is a pride of the nation.” Recognizing the contribution of the ordinary man in raising the popularity of cinema, he said “let’s dedicate 38th IFFI to ordinary people.” Shah Rukh further said, “Cinema provides people independence from loneliness and a perceived bond with the celluloid characters. This enlivens the dreams and a course to look up to. Through the medium of cinema we try to reach out to others crossing cultural barriers.”

India Times Movies

King Khan 'humbled' on being IFFI chief guest

Panaji (PTI): Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan on Friday said he felt "humbled" for being invited here as the chief guest to inaugurate the 38th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Khan said he wanted to "learn something" from the works of various critically acclaimed filmmakers participating in the 10-day film extravaganza.

"I am very humbled to be here as chief guest. However, I don't think I have reached that high a position in my life to be eligible for such a huge honour. I would prefer to learn something from the distinguished guests who have come from various parts of the world to showcase their works," Khan told reporters before the inauguration of the IFFI.

The 40-year-old actor said there was a still long way to go in his career, which started in early 1990s, and wanted to work harder to get more success.

"My earlier successes are now behind me and even the recent ones like 'Chak De! India' and 'Om Shanti Om' (which has already crossed one million pound mark in UK and still drawing audiences).

I have lived with my characters like Kabir Khan in Chak De! and Om Prakash Makhija in Om Shanti Om and enjoyed them. But now time has come to work on a new character and portray it successfully," Khan said.

The Hindu

Shah Rukh in Catch - 22 over Film Festival

If the Federation of Western India Cine Employees has its way, Shah Rukh Khan may not be present at the inaugural function of the film festival in Goa on November 23.

The federation workers are smarting over what they refer to as the "insulting attitude" of the I&B ministry by not inviting its office bearers.

"We cannot tolerate this insult to our leaders and workers and have decided to boycott the event. We have written to Shah Rukh Khan requesting him to stay away from the function," said Dinesh Chaturvedi, general secretary of the federation.

Industry sources say this could put the actor in an awkward position. "If he backs out, he may invite the ministry's ire and if he ignores the federation's wishes, he is bound to face an industry boycott," said a senior film producer.

Shah Rukh was not available for comment but his secretary confirmed he had got the federation letter by fax.

DNAindia.com

Shah Rukh to inaugurate film festival

New Delhi: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will inaugurate the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2007, which begins on November 23 in Goa.

“Yes, Shah Rukh Khan has accepted the invitation to inaugurate the ten-day- long festival,” the superstar’s spokesperson Karuna said on Saturday. The event, which will witness the best of cinema from India and abroad, would kick-start with the renowned Romanian film director Cristian Mungiu’s ‘Four Months, Three Weeks and Two days’.

The film has already won the prestigious Golden Palm award at Cannes early this year.

“Shah Rukh is pleased to do the honour on behalf of the film industry,” said Mr. Karuna on behalf of the actor who is presently out of the country.

The Hindu