Today I am competing with myself, says Shah Rukh

“People should learn how important studies are through this show,” Shah Rukh Khan states. His Indian television general knowledge quiz show, ‘Paanchvi Pass’ based on the US programme ‘Are you smarter than a Ten Year Old?’, was launched in London last Tuesday. The series kicks off on June 13 on the Star Plus Channel in the UK and Europe.

After taking over from Amitabh Bachchan in the Indian TV equivalent of ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’, this is the second time the ‘King Khan’ is the quizmaster or ‘Head Boy’ as he is called in the show. Why is he doing it? “I love the show; it gives me pleasure to see kids studying in a fun way. My own children Suhana and Aryan like it a lot.” Does he know the answers himself? The honest Khan comes clean: “I don’t know most of the answers; it’s fun to learn through a quiz.” Was SRK a good student? “I used to come top in class as I was naughty and the teacher made me stand on top of the desk!” Khan jokes.

Following Shah Rukh onto the small screen will be Salman Khan with his reality show ‘10 Ka Dum’ and Akshay Kumar with the Indian version of ‘Fear Factor’. Has SRK started a trend for Bollywood A listers moving into television? “I don’t think I set a trend. It was Amitabh Bachchan who really set the trend. I wish Salman and Akki all the best!”

Shah Rukh Khan’s hockey film ‘Chak De! India’ won the Best Film, Best Director, Best Story and Best Actor awards at last weekend’s International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFAs) in Bangkok. The ‘King’ is in heaven: “I proved I could do a significant role without songs or heroines. The film consolidates my reputation as a good actor. Today I am competing with myself, not with any newcomer or other heroes.”

Anil Sinanan, Times Online UK

"Is Shah Rukh Khan coming?"

A bevy of Bollywood stars including Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and the four Bachchans have descended on Bangkok but Indians living here are missing Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

"Is Shah Rukh Khan coming?" is what most cine fans are asking the visiting Indian media.

They wear a disappointed look on learning that their favourite actor will be giving the show a miss. Many families here say they bought passes for the award night just to get a glimpse of King Khan.

Howrah.org

Shah Rukh to skip IIFA

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will not attend the prestigious International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards gala starting on Friday.

"He had been approached and invited. Unfortunately the period he spent with the Indian Premier League matches disrupted his entire schedule," said Sabbas Joseph, director Wizcraft.

"Shah Rukh has just begun his film with Aditya Chopra. So he is busy with that. But we would have been delighted if he could have come," Joseph said.

For the last two years Shah Rukh has not attended the IIFA awards, the brand ambassador of which is Amitabh Bachchan.

Is his rivalry with Bachchan the reason?

"I don't think there is any rivalry between Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Both have their unique space. Shah Rukh is a great entertainer in any scenario," said Joseph.

However, a bevy of Bollywood stars including Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Jayed Khan and Urmila Matondkar are set to keep the fans entertained.

Amitabh, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai will make the event all the more exciting with their presence. Their much-awaited Sarkar Raj is premiering at the gala event. Their green carpet will also be attended by the Thai Princess.

Indo Asian News Service