Title Clash: Khan Vs My Name Is Khan

PNC project is all set for a title clash with Karan Johar’s SRK starrer.
It may be recalled that Rangita Nandy of PNC which has titled its new film ‘Khan’, had a spat with Karan Johar when she asked him and Gauri Khan to leave the trial for her film Shabd. Sources say that Rangita used the title, Khan which, interestingly, is registered with KJo.

One of Pritish Nandy Communications’s upcoming projects is tentatively titled Khan. Sources confirm that Rangita Nandy Creative Head, PNC has locked on Rajeev Khandelwal to play the lead role in the film.

Interestingly, Rangita’s film’s title is quite similar to Karan Johar’s SRK project titled My Name is Khan. The reason she has not gone public with the title is so that there is no speculation surrounding her film and Karan’s.

It may be recalled that Rangita had a spat with Karan when she asked him and Gauri Khan to leave the trial for her film Shabd. Sources say that Rangita used the title, Khan which, interestingly, is registered with KJo.

Shabana will play Shah Rukh's Mom in 'My Name Is Khan'

Last year, she turned down Yash Raj Films’ Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (the role that eventually went to Jaya Bachchan) because apparently, she was busy with The Loins of Punjab Presents . However, Shabana has now agreed to play Shah Rukh Khan’s mother in Karan Johar’s Khan.

A source said, “Normally, Karan would not think of casting anyone but Jayaji to play Shah Rukh’s mother. Reason being that both Shah Rukh and Karan dote on Jayaji and she has already played SRK’s mother in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kal Ho Na Ho.” Apparently, it’s the strong political message of Khan that convinced Karan to sign Shabana instead of Jaya for the project.

The source added, “Khan conveys a very strong message. It’s about the isolation of the Muslims after 9/11. And who better equipped to put forward a cinema of ideas than Shabana? Also, the film is about a Muslim family based in the US. And Shabana would bring a natural elegance and credibility to her part.”

However, not much is being revealed about Shabana’s part in the film. But it goes without saying that she would be an essential part of the project.

When contacted to confirm her presence in the film, Shabana just laughed and said, “Main chup rahungi.”

Times Of India

I am waiting for you Shahrukh, says Yash Chopra

Yash Chopra is keen to get behind the camera for his directorial comeback. Accord-ing to rumours, Chopra has a script and wants his two favourites, Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit, to play the lead roles in the film.

A source reveals, “Yashji has been working on a script for quite some time now. The movie has the same tone as all his previous love stories; however, this one has a mature undertone. Beta Aditya has co-written the script. Yashji wanted to start his film before his son’s but Adi started shooting for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, earlier this month. This happened because the actors Chopra Sr wants for the project could give him the dates.”

SRK’s dates were with Karan Johar, but later those dates were given away to Adi .

The source continues, “Madhuri told Yashji to shoot the film in the US, as she wants to be close to her family. She doesn’t want to travel back to India. During the making of Aaja Nachle, Yash Raj Films built a crèche at the studio, so she could have her kids with her at all times. However this time, Madhuri feels that her kids will be happier in their environment rather than in India. That wasn’t possible, and Yashji had to put his plans on hold. He now wants to oversee his next mega film RNBDJ before starting his project.”

A spokesperson for Yash Raj Films says, “Yashji is definitely planning his next film. In all probability, the film will go on the floors next year. We haven’t decided who to cast as the movie is in scripting stages. As far as Madhuri being approached by us to do this film, it’s not true. He didn’t even meet her while she in town a few weeks back.”

Amul Sharma, Mid-Day

Kajol has agreed to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan

Kareena Kapoor can put her hopes of being cast in My Name Is Khan to complete rest. For finally Karan Johar’s first choice Kajol has agreed to do the film. Kajol gave the nod to the project on Thursday.

A source close to Kajol’s husband, Ajay Devgan, tells us, “Kajol indeed took a long time to take a call on her participation in Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan, but the problem was that she had not heard the script in detail. This week, she took a long look at the script and finally said ‘yes’.”

“Karan and Kajol go back a long way. Their dosti is not only friendship but respect for each other as well. Kajol could not have refused the film outright,” the insider further says.

So how will Kajol adjust to the US schedule? Will her daughter Nysa accompany her? Wasn’t that one of the reasons why Kajol took long to give her nod of consent? “Well, that all will be sorted out. Kajol has worked out how to look after Nysa during that period. Whether Nysa will go with Kajol or not is still not known,” our source adds.

We sent a text message to KJo (as Karan is fondly called in the industry), but he did not reply.

My Name Is Khan, directed by Karan Johar, stars Karan’s best buddy, Shah Rukh (who co-produces My Name Is Khan) in the male lead.

The only time Shah Rukh and Kareena have been romantically paired earlier was in Asoka the Great (2001), which too was produced in part by Shah Rukh Khan.

Vickey Lalwani, Mumbai Mirror

“SRK is not my backslapping buddy,”says Karan Johar

You go all out for Shah Rukh Khan. Recently, you came back all the way from Miami to attend his first IPL match and postponed your own film to accommodate Aditya Chopra's film with SRK.
Yes. But isn't that a given in any friendship? Shah Rukh is like family for me. I'm quite petrified of Shah Rukh and he knows it. He is not my backslapping buddy. His wife Gauri is the one who is more of a friend. She's the one I can say, ‘Oh, Shut up!’ to but even in my wildest dreams, I can't imagine telling SRK to shut up.

But, will SRK do as much for you as you do for him?
I want to reach a point where I don't expect anything in return. I have full faith in my relationships and believe that they will never disappoint me.

So, no more formula-based films from you?
My Name Is Khan is an exciting project. For the first time, I'm directing a film that has characters and situations I'm not familiar with. I think I'm the wrong man to direct this film.

So who do think should be directing My Name Is Khan?
Mani Ratnam, Rakeysh Mehra or Raju Hirani but certainly not me. But, I'm hundred per cent sure I can pull it off.

Can you ever make a film without Shah Rukh Khan?
I wouldn't like to think about it. Of course it can happen. One can never predict where life will take us...

Shah Rukh is all set to prove himself

For those who think that Shah Rukh Khan cannot play anything beyond stereotypical characters, think again.

Shah Rukh’s close buddy Karan Johar has challenged Shah Rukh’s acting abilities by asking him to play an autistic in his next, My Name is Khan .

No doubt SRK will take inspiration from Dustin Hoffman, who played an autistic in Rain Man (1988). Rain Man is a 1988 film by Barry Levinson, which tells the story of an abrasive, selfish yuppie, Charlie Babbitt, who discovers that his father has left all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his brother, Raymond, a savant, whom he never knew existed.

Shah Rukh did not take long to say ‘yes’ to Karan. Our well-placed source in Bollywood says, “SRK can’t wait for the film to begin. He is very excited about playing this different character.” Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder, which starts off in childhood. It is characterised by impaired communication, excessive rigidity, and emotional detachment.

“However, he will have to wait, since My Name Is Khan has been delayed. Karan had allowed Aditya Chopra to start Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi first, so SRK will first free himself from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (opposite the 19-year old Bangalorean newcomer Anushka Sharma) and then get on to this challenging role,” our source adds.

A source close to Shah Rukh says, “He’s adventurous and dares to take risks, he dares to be different, and he dares to break all rules. It is a misconception that he is repetitive and does not like to play different characters. His performances in Swades and Chak De! India are the best examples to prove this point. My Name Is Khan will be a trump card in SRK’s repertoire. Playing an autistic person will be challenging. Shah Rukh will have to do a lot of homework.”

Something brewing between SRK, models & Bangalore

Some time back we had told you about this dream project RAB NE BANA DI JODI which brings SRK-Aditya Chopra association back after a long gap, since MOHABATTEIN. We even informed that Adi was on a look out for a fresh face to cast opposite SRK. There was a lot of excitement around as to who would be the lucky girl opposite SRK.

Now the hunt for that lucky lady has come to an end. As per the latest communique from Yash Raj Films 19-year-young Anushka Sharma has been finalized to star opposite Bollywood's Badshah Shah Rukh Khan. To debut in a prestigious film from India's most respected production house and that too opposite the nation's biggest star is a dream that many eyes pine for. It's a dream every girl treasures. And very few are bestowed with such fate. But luck as it had to be, favoured model Anushka Sharma who has, earlier, done a few commercials and ramp shows with no acting background.

It's a dream for many to get associated with Shah Rukh Khan. Till date most of the girls who coupled with SRK they all achieved a stardom be it Rani Mukherji, Preity Zinta, Priyanka Chopra, etc. and the most recent case of Deepika Padukone in OM SHANTI OM. Remember the amount of buzz and hype that was created a few months back when Deepika was to debut opposite King Khan in OSO. Deepika Padukone who was though a supermodel witnessed a 360o change in her life post working with SRK in OSO. And as fate would be, what a coincidence, this time also a no-so-popular model will taste the stardom coming December. Ah! and ditto like Deepika Anushka also hails from Bangalore.

Peace activist Shah Rukh to be kidnapped

With Bangalore model Anushka Sharma having been finalized to play the leading lady opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Aditya Chopra's RAB NE BANA DI JODI, the speculations about imaginary names like Simran etc must have ended. As we have been telling you repeatedly, the film is all set to go on the floors by the middle of this month (May 15/16).

With the shooting of RAB NE BANA DI JODI and SRK's home production BILLU BARBER to be over by October-November, King Khan will move on to his next big project, the Karan Johar directed, KHAN/MY NAME IS KHAN. The Dharma productions' venture is to go on the floors in November-December 2008. Despite the fact that the Shibani Bhatija scripted project is one of the most zealously guarded secret, we have some inside info!

While it's known to most that the film takes a look at Islamic terrorism and the resultant discrimination post 9/11, the buzz is that Shah Rukh plays a peace activist who gets to see the viewpoint of the extremists, once he is kidnapped by them.

Well, we must confess that after SRK's path breaking performance in CHAK DE! INDIA, this may well turn out to be another superb portrayal from SRK, the actor and not the global superstar!

SRK and KJO's 50:50 Partnership Deal

One of Karan Johar’s most awaited films My Name is Khan starring Shah Rukh Khan is set to go on the floors in a few months from now. But even before the first scene is shot we have some news for you.

The industry is abuzz with rumours that Shah Rukh will get the negative rights of My Name Is Khan. Our well-placed source from the film industry says, “Karan has offered Shah Rukh 50 per cent stakes in the profits of the film, and in return, Shah Rukh will work on the film without charging a single penny.”

Karan made this offer to Shah Rukh a few days ago. “Shah Rukh Khan loved Karan’s idea. SRK is very excited about My Name Is Khan’s story,” our source further says.

In the film, Shah Rukh plays an activist who gets kidnapped by terrorists and how his attitude and entire perspective towards life changes subsequently. According to the source, My Name Is Khan will have nothing that the audience has come to expect from Karan’s films as it is a serious film.

Our source adds, “Since Shah Rukh will not charge his fee, the budget of My Name Is Khan is unlikely to exceed Rs 15 crore. Going by the track record of Shah Rukh’s last blockbuster Om Shanti Om which was reportedly sold for close to Rs 80 crore, My Name Is Khan also is estimated to go for around that much money.

A Karan-Shah Rukh project in today’s times will definitely command and receive that amount. Thus, the film stands to gain a minimum of Rs 60 crore as table profit. Add to this the box-office collections.”

The earlier plan was that Shah Rukh will work on My Name is Khan as soon as he is free from the Indian Premeir League matches (he owns the Kolkata Knight Riders team) and Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain?, which he is currently hosting. But when Aditya Chopra requested Karan to allow Shah Rukh to start his film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi first; Karan immediately obliged.

The hunt for the female lead of My Name Is Khan is still on. The role was offered to Kajol who turned it down for reasons best known to her. The film is expected to be shot entirely in Los Angeles and New York.

Karan Johar refused to answer our repeated calls and text messages.

Vickey Lalwani, Mumbai Mirror

Kajol uncertain about 'Khan'

When queried regarding the upcomimng Karan Johar film 'Khan', this is what Kajol had to say :

TOI: And you also are in Karan Johar 'I am Khan'?

Kajol: Let me clarify once again that for me a project materialises only after I have signed on the dotted line. As far as this project in concerned, talks are still on.

TOI: You have always accepted projects keeping in mind your responsibility towards Nysa...

Kajol: She will always be my priority and what projects I take on will depend on how well I balance and manage my time with her.

Roshni Mukherjee, Times Of India

Friend indeed!

It's a known fact that Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra are not only professionally close but are also the best of friends.

Karan recently gave a proof of how good a friend he is to SRK and Aditya. Karan didn't think twice before giving away the dates that Shah Rukh had promised him for his upcoming film, Khan to Aditya Chopra who will soon start shooting for his romantic film, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Adtya Chopra had last directed Mohabbatein in 2000.

Karan Johar was ready to start shooting for Khan and had SRK's dates from May onwards.

Karan can't stop recalling his days when he assisted Aditya on the sets of his directorial debut, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Karan had also acted in the Shah Rukh-Kajol blockbuster.

Commenting on readily giving away SRK's dates to Aditya, Karan Johar says, "Adi, Shah Rukh and I are thick friends. I am extremely fond of Adi and very excited about the fact that that he is directing a film after so long. For us, star dates are a minor issue. I am more thrilled about Adi's film than mine. I did it more than happily."

Apparently, Kajol stars opposite SRK in Khan while Aditya has already finalised a 16-year-old female lead for Rab Ne Bana…

Ashwini Deshmukh, Mumbai Mirror

KJo's SRK-Kajol Film Plot Leaks Out!

One of Karan Johar’s most awaited films Khan is said to go on floors in October this year. But even before the first scene is canned we have the plot for you. A source involved with the film tells us that 'Khan' has turned out to be Johar’s biggest Bollywood risk till date.

"He is really pushing himself this time around. Shah Rukh plays an activist in Khan who gets kidnapped by terrorists and how subsequently his attitude and point of view towards the situation changes," says the source.

Karan is currently scouting and finalizing locations for his film in USA and the film is expected to be shot entirely in Los Angeles and New York. According to the source Khan will have nothing that the audience has come to expect from Johar’s films.

"The film will have no song whatsoever. So all the grand sets and music and costumes we associate with KJo’s films will be missing of sorts. The budget is still big. The designers are there and the locations will be grand but at the end of the day it is quite a serious film," he adds.

Khan will star KJO’s favourite stars – SRK and Kajol – as husband and wife. However, convincing his best mate, Kajol, to do the film which is set against a backdrop of post 9/11 America didn’t come easy for the ace director.

"He is currently working out the entire schedule about how many dates and where. Although Kajol has agreed to do the project she has always maintained how she won’t stay away from her daughter for too long. And so Karan has developed a shooting schedule that will allow the actress to be with her daughter quite a lot during the filming," adds the source.

Following the success of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kajol took a sabbatical from full time acting for five years. She gave birth to her daughter Nysa in 2003. However, she then made a comeback in Kunal Kohli’s Fanaa in 2006 opposite Aamir Khan.

Both SRK and Johar had been quite disappointed when Kajol chose to make her comeback in the non-Dharma camp and since then Karan has been quite blatant about the fact that he will do anything to have Kajol as the lead whenever he began his next film.

MyNews.in

Shahrukh Khan to play a terrorist on screen

Shahrukh Khan and Karan Johar have given Bollywood some big romantic blockbusters but this time around the two will team up for a non romantic no song movie. The movie which is likely to be titled as Khan was initially titled My Name Is Khan. It will talk about the condition of the Muslims post 9/11. It will also star Kajol opposite Shahrukh after a gap of 7 years.

It is reported that Shahrukh had been waiting to play a terrorist on screen but was never offered this role by any filmmaker. The movie will highlight problems being faced by Muslims post the 9/11 attack. Shahrukh had himself faced discrimination at an international airport when his luggage had to undergo extra checking when the security person got suspicious seeing his surname.

Johar is reluctant to disclose details about the project but said that terrorism is one subject in our life which cannot be ignored anymore. Karan added that dealing with the subject will be a challenge. Khan which hits the theatres in 2009 will be a healthy break from family dramas for Johar.

OneIndia

Shah Rukh Khan - Kajol starrer 'Khan' based on true story

The first half of producer / director Karan Johar's next film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, tentatively titled Khan!, is based on a true story says Johar, who has bought the rights for the story from the couple that was victimized.

In the film Shah Rukh plays a Muslim who gets wrongly detained on a flight because his last name is Khan and the authorities believe that makes him a terrorist.

The film, currently being scripted by Shivani Bhatija, is expected to go on the floors in mid 2008

Currently only the lead pair for the film has been finalized since scripting is not yet complete.

Johar calls the Khan - Kajol pairing a 'dream pairing' because it has never failed to produce a hit.

Their past films together are Baazigar (1993), Karan Arjun (1995), Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001).

Khan, Johar and Kajol also happen to be very good friends who consult each other professionally.

If Johar had his way, Kajol would be in all his films. He had wanted the 32-year-old to act in his last film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) but Kajol opted out because the film involved a long spell of shooting in the US and she was not comfortable leaving her daughter Nysa behind for so long.

"This time around I told her, 'I need you. You just have to do my film.' That was it.," a delighted Johar told Mid Day after having signed her up.

Johar, who has in the past focused exclusively on romantic dramas, is excited about the film because of its intense story line but a little tentative about directing it.

"…I am petrified, mortified and absolutely hysterical about directing this film. I even asked Shibani after reading the first draft, 'Do you think I am the right person to direct this?' The tone of the film is such. All I can say is that in my entire career this is possibly the biggest risk I am taking," he says.

Sawf News

"I haven't even read the script! Once I read it, I'll decide!" - Kajol

Love is blind, but not when it comes to business. One would think that if Kajol is proposed a Karan Johar project also starring Shah Rukh Khan, she would simply jump at the offer. And news has it that she's done just that.

However, Kads shocks us with, "I haven't even read the script! Once I read it, I'll decide!"

So, this talented actress doesn't turn a blind eye where work is concerned. One the contrary, it's the eyes-wide-open phenomenon that takes over when it comes to scripts.

And if she doesn't like it she'll simply say no! But let's hope she manages to say kuch kuch hota hai while reading this one. We're sure KJo is hoping!

Urvashi Ashar, Indiatimes

"I am getting the hot pair back together." - Karan Johar

Shah Rukh and Kajol will face the camera together after a gap of seven years

Karan has managed to get Kajol on board for his next directorial venture, opposite none other than Shah Rukh Khan.

Shah Rukh and Kajol will face the camera together after a gap of seven years. Incidentally, they were last seen sharing screen space in Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

Before leaving for New York, for location hunting, this morning, Karan confirmed the developments, “Yes. I am getting the hot pair back together. Kajol and Shah Rukh will be in my next film. It’s an emotional love story, written by Shibani Bhatija.”

Re-creating the magic

Karan had wanted to recreate the Kajol-SRK magic in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna but she had turned down the part that finally went to Rani. On Koffee with Karan, Kajol made it public that Shah Rukh was upset with her for making her comeback with Aamir Khan in Fanaa, instead of doing a film with him.

SRK and Kajol’s past pairings

• Baazigar (1993)
• Karan Arjun (1995)
• Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995)
• Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
• Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

Amul Sharma, Mid-Day

SRK - A film on Shah Rukh Khan ?

While the grapevine went into a frenzy with talks of Karan Johar's next directorial venture, KHAN / MY NAME IS KHAN, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, being based on SRK's life, Karan on his part has laughed off the speculations. But here is something interesting on the same lines.

Unbelievable as it may sound, but one production house has sought the registration of the title SRK, for its forthcoming venture! Pro-Motion Picture Pvt. Ltd. has applied to the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) for registration of SRK in both, Hindi and English.

One presumes the abbreviation SRK stands for Bollywood's global superstar, Shah Rukh Khan!

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

SRK, Karan are confused: 'My Name is Khan' or 'Khan' ?

King Khan gets everything that he wishes for. But there's one thing that he couldn't manage. The title of E Nivas's film My Name is Anthony Gonsolves. It is believed that Shah Rukh was so impressed by the title that he wanted to have a similar title for one of his films. Thus his next film has been titled as My Name is Khan.

At the music launch of My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves, Shah Rukh quipped "My Name is Anthony Gonsolves is a beautiful title. It sounds lyrical and has a little naughtiness to it. I like this title so much that when Nikhil and E Nivas told me about this title, I thought that they should not make this film so that I can take this title. But they worked so hard and made this film."

It is also believed that Karan is having a second thought on the title of My Name Is Khan. Earlier in his interviews filmmaker Karan Johar explained that his film will be called either My Name is Khan or just Khan. If sources are to be believed Shah Rukh Khan has liked My Name is Khan, while Karan who's believes much in the 'K' factor is keen to title his films Khan .

It can be recalled that all of Karan's films - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna – start with 'K'. In fact, he is currently working on an animation film titled Kuchie Kuchie Hota Hai.

According to an industry insider Karan is superstitious and wants to follow his K factor as it has always turned out well for him. But Shah Rukh who doesn't believe in any fallacy feels the title My name Is Khan is apt for the movie.

As per reports the film is not on terrorism, except for one 9/11 scene. Shah Rukh plays the title role while an actress still has to be finalized. As per the latest Karan is in talks with his current favorite Kareena Kapoor for the female lead, while earlier he had expressed interest to cast his favorite pair Shah Rukh and Kajol once again after Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

Reshma Kelkar, Indiatimes Movies

Karan to announce the SRK-Kajol project soon

Producer director Karan Johar's debut film, KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI (1998), saved his father's banner, Dharma Productions, which was virtually on the brink of bankruptcy. Not only that, the film went on to become one of the biggest hits of the 90's. It also consolidated the super-star power of the SRK-Kajol pair and established Karan as a top-notch director of the Hindi film industry.

Karan's career graph rose further with his next two films, KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM (2001) and KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA (2006). He ranks amongst the topmost Bollywood directors/producers like Yash Chopra, Aditya Chopra, Sooraj Barjatya.

Karan has off late been seen more on television, though news about his next project, obviously featuring close friends Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, has been doing the rounds, for a while. There have also been speculations that the project may not happen, as Kajol is not very keen on doing the film.

However, putting an end to all the canards, Karan says that he will soon be making a formal announcement regarding his next directorial venture, featuring his favourite pair. But before that he wants to have everything on paper.

Well, we are waiting eagerly for the official word about, KHAN or MY NAME IS KHAN or whatever is the actual/final title!

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

I have read the Quran and nowhere does it encourage the killing of people: SRK

It’s Independence Day eve, and we ask Shah Rukh Khan a blunt question: is there anything he has done for the country that makes him proud today?

He smiles, unfazed, and answers, “Go to any part of the world and you’ll see that India is associated with Bollywood. That's my biggest achievement. And the India I see on the world map is a sparkling and happy India, which is moving forward with never-seen-before energy. This is what the new, raring-to-go India is like, and I am proud to be the face of it.”

So a proud-to-be-Indian SRK is not waving the flag just because of the success of his new film, which has a strong patriotic theme running through it. He is already busy making his next for Karan Johar, the working title of which is My Name Is Khan. This film comes at a time when the Mumbai bomb blasts trials and questions about the Srikrishna Commission report’s implementation have brought issues involving inter-communal relations back to the forefront of public debate.

But Shah Rukh Khan is not someone who is insecure over such issues. Being on top of Bollywood's charts for close to a decade as the definitive superstar hardly leaves scope for questions of acceptance. “People have accepted me for what I am, nobody has ever questioned my religion,” he says.

And goes on to add, “I am an educated, liberal Muslim, and I am proud to be a Muslim. My wife is Hindu. My children learn both the religions,” said the superstar. His concern at the global stereotyping in the post 9/11 world, though, comes through when he points out that “people should realise that every Haneef is not a terrorist and that everyone with a Khan surname need not be frisked at the airport.”

But isn’t that on account of the spectre of terrorism and the edgy, even paranoid, reactions to it?

“Nobody supports terrorism,” he is emphatic. “And terrorism recognises no religion. I have read the Quran and nowhere does it encourage the killing of people. Such acts only take us backward. We should take a stand and we should talk against terrorism. Even if we don’t talk against it, we should be completely against it.”

Do incidents of communal disharmony disturb him, make him ask questions?

“That is always the work of a few people. It's all about acquiring power in the bigger picture. We need to see through all this. One has to understand and feel that the only thing that can stop India from being the greatest superpower in the world, is the misuse of religion.”

Does the superstar wish to play political messiah too?

“No, I am an actor, a people's person. I have no political aspirations. But we all can try for the formation of a fair social and political structure, from the heart. If we believe we can, we can do it. The power lies within us, the common man,” says the man who is the common man’s hero.

Source: TimesOfIndia