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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

SRK: an actor, a host, a producer, a husband and a father

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If you think earning lots of moolah is the only thing on Shah Rukh Khan’s mind, think again.

The actor who already has helped set up a pediatric ward at a city hospital now wants to set up a ward for cancer patients too. "I get embarrassed to talk about such things. The hospital people were kind enough to name the pediatric ward after my mother. I hope to set up a centre for cancer patients later this year," he reveals. But that’s not all, SRK even has plans to set up a hospital.

"That’s my final dream. Though I don’t know when that will be possible. I keep telling my wife that I have to do this and she keeps telling me that I can do it only when I stop doing the other things," he says.
But of course, there’s loads of work to be done too. Besides his role, that of a host in Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai?, the actor is back at the studios doing what he does best acting!

His two films this year are Billoo Barber and Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. But there’s no denying the fact that we are seeing a lot of SRK on the small screen than the big one. "It’s not that I am too much on TV, it’s just that there’s lot of TV happening these days. Cinema is no more the only form of entertainment. We are talking about watching films on mobile phones. Five years from now, I may be doing a movie that may be released on cellphones. Does that mean I become smaller or has the reach increased," he questions. And the talk of his big comeback on TV, doesn’t impress SRK much. "This thing of ‘you started with TV and came back to TV...’ I have always been on TV."

But aren’t there too many endorsements, shows, etc that he’s doing on TV? "No, just day before yesterday I was thinking I am doing very less," he smiles the famous dimpled smile. Be it films, TV or cricket, SRK has conquered every pitch. It looks like the name SRK is now synonymous with success. "For success you need to know that you can go wrong and yet go ahead and do it. People who do wrong things, like stealing or murder, have overcome the thought that this is wrong. They have found their justification. Positively, if we apply the same, it will work. As soon as you accept that this can go wrong, the fear of failure decreases. If tomorrow I face failure, I hope I can say I enjoyed failure too," he philosophises.

Astrologers and industry people often talk about the brilliant planetary positions that SRK has been blessed with, so is luck as important for his success? "Giving all the credit to luck takes away from the hard work involved. People will say I got a good show and it’s our luck that the show’s doing well. But there’s a lot of hard work involved here. I am not successful by luck, but because I am in the right place. I am not special. Eight years ago I thought I was, but after that, I think there is a set of audience that likes my work," he states matter-of-factly.

And despite spending so many years in the industry, Shah Rukh thrives on one thing, "Giving a perfect shot. Be it in films or TV. For example, when I get the timing of a joke right. I can live off it for 10-20 days." But hosting is one thing that tires even the super-energetic King Khan. "TV work is very difficult. Especially quiz shows. It’s almost live. Also, there are many factors like unknown contestants, dealing with kids, the 200 lights and after all that, there’s a deadline to adhere to. I can work for 20 hours. I can dance, fight, do press conferences and not get tired, but with this I get tired. Also a show like Kya Aap... needs something from the host. There is a certain responsibility and I never shirk away from responsibilities. But yes, it is tiring and I get a headache at the end of the day. But the problem is when I return home, my kids want me to ask them the same questions again. So I have to sit down and do that," he says.

An actor, a host, a producer, a husband and a father. SRK has many roles, so who’s the real SRK? He says, "Honestly, even I don’t know myself. You keep acting the whole day. You do lot of things that are larger than life. Lines start getting blurred after a point. The closest I came to playing myself was in KBC and now this show. On the show I emote the way I would in real life."

I’m a sportsman at heart: Shah Rukh Khan

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Later, after visiting the Mumbai Indians’ dressing room and spending some ten minutes there, he spoke to The Telegraph.

The following are excerpts

First Knight Riders’ defeat seen by him in person

(Grins) When we won the first two matches in a row, (coach) John Buchanan told everybody that lots of cricket remained to be played… I’m a sportsman at heart and if we didn’t lose any match, then I’d feel odd… Of course, it would’ve been nice to again win in Calcutta, but our batting became unstuck at the beginning… I’m sure we’ll come back hard in the next match (on Thursday, in Jaipur).

The level of disappointment

There’s never a low for me… I can never feel low… There are times when my son (Aryan) runs a race but doesn’t come first… I’ve myself lost races… I’ve made flops but that doesn’t take anything away from life. It’s not that I like losing, though… I don’t and my team doesn’t like losing either… But, in sports, you win and lose… You pray for a miracle… Look for that one slice of luck coming your way… But that doesn’t happen… In fact, I believe that sports is the biggest leveller and sports teaches you to lead life… There’ll be good days and bad days.

Reaction to defeats

I feel happy for whoever wins… My parents taught me that I’ve got to be graceful in defeat and gracious in victory… So, I do the same things when I lose, like going over to the opposition dressing room… I wish them well and wish them from the bottom of my heart. I’m a winner because I’ve got this sportsman’s spirit… If you’re mean and sad about your losses, then you can’t enjoy your victories that much… It’s because of this attitude that I can, when we win, jump on the stadium’s roof and shout ‘we won’…

On Ricky Ponting and Brendon McCullum leaving for home

I’ll miss them… The boys will miss them… The team will miss them… They’ve been terrific in the dressing room and on the field… (After a pause) At the end of each match, I’ve been showing the team a dance-step… I showed two tonight as I wasn’t there in Chennai the other evening… I don’t talk cricket with the boys… That’s done by John and the others… I only bring positivity.

Having flown thousands of miles to make it for Tuesday’s match

Yes, it was difficult yaar… I was in London, then I went to Paris… From there back to London and, then, Mumbai before making it here just in time (on a private aircraft)… While it was difficult, I wouldn’t have missed coming to Calcutta for the world… I’ll be off tomorrow (Wednesday) morning as I’ve got to shoot for my TV show (Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain?)… Nothing stops me from going to all the Knight Riders’ matches… I do have shooting commitments which were finalised a year in advance but I could finish early and hop on to a private aircraft and land up in Jaipur or Mohali for the second half of the match… I was in London when we played in Chennai and I had to go on the stage… I remember becoming anxious and calling Juhi (Mehta, co-owner)… I told her that I wanted to be with the team and not in London… It’s not that I’m the luck factor or something… The reality is that we’ve got a good team and this team will bounce back.

The organisational bit of the second match at home

Like I said after the first match, we’ll be improving with every game… (Adds laughing) Hopefully, we’ll get everything right by the end of the IPL! I’m sure the spectators found it a nicer experience tonight, though the electronic scoreboard was too dim.

Finally, whether he brought traffic to a halt in Paris too the other day

(Laughs) Well, yes… And, you may not believe it, but there was a group of French girls with a banner which read ‘Korbo, lorbo, jeetbo re’… It was absolutely amazing.

The Telegraph India

Chak De India wins US Billie Award

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The film has been honored with a Billie Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the portrayal of women in sports be it in entertainment or journalism. The awards, named after champion tennis player Billie Jean King, are presented in four categories: breakthrough and innovation, entertainment, journalism and outstanding journalist.

This year the award for entertainment went to Chak De India. Yash Raj, producer of the film said, “The film continues to pay back the faith we had reposed in the movie even when conventional wisdom would have dictated otherwise. To win accolades like this from around the world, especially from places where depictions of women's sport has had a long and established tradition is especially heartening.”

Shimit Amin, director of the film was present to get the award and said, “The reaction to the movie was simply fantastic. You would not believe that this was a foreign audience - comprised of professional writers, critics and industry professionals for the most part - the way they reacted. It just reinforced our belief that the message of the movie and the performances of Shah Rukh Khan and the girls cuts across all boundaries.”

Yash Raj added, “It was an honour to be selected by such a distinguished panel of women's sports historians, journalists and media industry executives. But while we cherish this honour, the greatest reward for the movie was undoubtedly the love and affection that was showered on it by audiences worldwide."

We congratulate the cast and crew for not only making a wonderful film but also an inspiring film that is being recognized for its positive portrayal of women’s sports.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

SRK 'waxed' in Paris

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It's general knowledge that the English in India and other foreign countries is 'Same-Same but different'. In the sense, in India, we say 'Cat', whereas they say it's 'Kat'. Here we say, 'cheque', they say 'chek', so on and so forth! But there's one name to which not only India, but the whole of the Universe abides by and shall abide till eternity and that's 'Shah Rukh Khan'!

The latest 'victim' of the SRK mania was Paris, a city which experienced a never-before mayhem. The reason? Well, SRK was in France for the unveiling of his wax statue at the Grevin Museum. His wife Gauri Khan and Karan Johar accompanied him.

If you thought that SRK will be a stand-alone in the museum, better think again, coz' he has company from the likes of Marylyn Monroe, Michael Jackson and around 300 odd celebrities. SRK now becomes the third Indian at the museum, the first two being Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi.

Is there anything left for you to accomplish, Mr. Khan? True that 'Impossible Is Nothing'.

Shah Rukh : The Host Rider

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Shah Rukh Khan seems to be telling many of his near and dear ones: Be my guest. And most of them are more than willing to attend the cricket matches with him.

Apparently, all the actors who've gone to cheer his team on, have returned impressed with the host that he is.

"He personally looks into everything from the minute you reach the airport – the flight boarding, getting into the bus, a comfortable drive to the hotel and check-in, commuting to the venue, the food and everything. Also, he is extra protective of the ladies who may be travelling – Gauri's friends and actresses, if any," says a close friend of the Khan.

Now, that's our host-rider!

Economic Times India

Monday, April 28, 2008

“It is the overseas audience who have made me the star I am.” - SRK

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“London is my favourite, favourite place in the world!” Shah Rukh Khan beamed when he collected his Best Actor award for ‘Chak De! India’ at last Saturday’s Zee Cine Awards 2008 in London.

The ‘Bollywood Bafta’ was presented to him by Bollywood’s original diva, Rekha who stunned the sell-out crowd by reciting the rhyme ‘Jack and Jill’ and singing a few lines from the classic Asha Bhosle track, ‘Dil Cheez Kya Hai’ from the film ‘Umrao Jaan’. Khan performed his ‘Om Shanti Om’ number with at least ten other stars on stage. “Why didn’t you call me on stage to dance with you?” Rekha asked Khan. “Oh Rekhaji, we have grown too old for you!” he cheekily replied.

Khan’s win was no surprise: he was nominated twice in the Best Actor’s category for the aforementioned ‘Chak De! India’ and for his blockbuster ‘Om Shanti Om’. Khan also won the first ever ‘Lifestyle Icon’ award, which broke into half when he collected it. The ‘King Khan’ ended by thanking his London fans: “It is the overseas audience who have made me the star I am.”

Anil Sinanan, Times Online - UK

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Chak de and oso are winners at Zee Cine Awards 2008

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Best Film
Chak De! India - Aditya Chopra, Yash Raj Films

Best Actor (Male)
Shah Rukh Khan - Chak De! India

Best Actor In A Negative Role (Male/Female)
Arjun Rampal - Om Shanti Om

Most Promising Debut (Female)
Deepika Padukone - Om Shanti Om

Technical Awards
Best Choreographer - Farah Khan - Om Shanti Om
Best Costume – Manish Malhotra & Karan Johar - Om Shanti Om
Best Visual Effects - Red Chilli's Entertainment - Om Shanti Om
Best Editing – Amitabh Shukla - Chak de India
Best Cinematography - Sandip Chaterjee- Chak de India
Best Dialogue - Jaideep Sahani - Chak De India
Zee Icon award – Shah Rukh Khan
Bollywod Queen Award - Gauri Khan

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Shahrukh shines in Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai

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THE MUCH awaited reality show, ’Kya aap paanchvi pass se tez hai’ started at 8pm on Star Plus on April 25 (Friday). The bollywood superstar, Shahrukh Khan, is really a super star whether it’s in movies or on the small screen. The funny one liners, his charisma, his wit – everything was visible in the first episode of the five-crore prize money show. It really is a pleasure to watch King Khan when he is at his best.

Dressed in a casual light blue shirt with a black waist coat, blue jeans, Khan played the part of a school teacher. On a funny note, he said that he always wanted to be a teacher but ended up being an actor. But still, he got a chance to play the role of a teacher in the movie, Mohabbatein. Indeed, his wish came true through ’Kya aap paanchvi pass se tez hai’.

The first contestant of the show was 39-year-old Vedula Ramalaxmi, a PhD in Hindi and an MA gold medalist. The Orrisa based lecturer did not expect the questions to be so tough, yet so simple.

Five kids also participated in the show. The very first question, “A prism has nine edges. True or False?” clearly made her sweat. The baffled gold medalist must have surely thought of going back to school or going through her son’s text books. A series of questions followed and after earning 2,00,000 rupees, Ramalaxmi requested to quit. She had to undergo a lot of embarrassment, as according to the headmaster’s rule, a person wishing to leave the class midway has to call himself a coward, a ’Bhagoda’ and also has to say, “Main paanchvi pass se tez nahi hoon (I’m not sharper than a fifth passed out).”

In the show, three life saving options were also there – taal jhaank, copy and bachao. After answering 10 questions correctly, one question will be asked, ’Sawal paanch crore ka’. If that is answered correctly, the mega prize money belongs to the contestant.

29-year-old Pramod Tripathi was the second contestant of the evening. After answering the first question, the school bell rang, thus ending the show.

Before the credits started, Khan narrated an incident of his school days after he gathered the five young classmates – Shreya, Sreeparna, Dheirya, Milanjeet and Anubhav – who helped the contestants on the show. Anubhav had earlier sung and danced on Khan’s dard-e-disco.

The total of three tiffin breaks were quite irritating for the people watching the show.

In the end, it was a great show hosted by a great personality. The show will be aired on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm on Star Plus.

Whether it’s Fauji, Circus, KBC or Kya aap paanchvi pass se tez hai, you can like or dislike any of these serials, but you can’t ignore King Khan. Hope he keeps performing for many more years to come.

Gloria D Souza, Meri News

Shahrukh tells everything about Billoo Barber

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Shah Rukh Khan's home production Billoo Barber directed by Priyadarshan has constantly been in the news mainly for its changes in the cast. With too many speculations doing the rounds, the superstar decided to set the facts straight about Billoo Barber once and for all.

According to SRK, the film is a sweet story of friendship which is quite similar to the bond shared between Krishna and Sudama. Irrfan Khan would be playing the title role of Billoo Barber while Shah Rukh would be seen in an important role in the film. Interestingly a lot of names including Juhi Chawla, Ameesha Patel and Tabu were considered for the part of Irrfan's wife but now it's finally Lara Dutta who has been finalized for that role.

The film which is a remake of a Malayalam film focuses mainly on the life of Irrfan Khan, his wife (Lara) and their two kids. The other cast members apart from Irrfan Khan, SRK and Lara Dutta include Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav and Asrani.

Khan also added that apart from the main cast, the two hot-n-happening beauties of Bollywood Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone would also be seen in a guest appearance in the film.

With such a cast coming together, Billoo Barber is surely one of the keenly anticipated films of this year.

'Chak De India', 'OSO' strike it rich at IIFA technical awards

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Mumbai (PTI): Shah Rukh Khan starrers "Chak De India" and "Om Shanti Om" swept the technical awards of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) announced here on Friday.

While "Chak De..." won five titles, "Om Shanti Om" bagged four of the 14 awards that were announced. The winners will be presented trophies at the IIFA Weekend that will be held from June 6 to 8 in Bangkok, a press release issued here said.

Shimit Amin's "Chak De India" swept the awards for technical excellence winning for best cinematography (Sudeep Chatterjee), best editing (Amitabh Shukla), best sound recording (Manas Choudhary and Ali Merchant), best sound re-recording (Anuj Mathur) and best screenplay (Jaideep Sahni), who jointly shared the honours with Anurag Basu for "Life in a Metro".

Close behind was Farah Khan's "Om Shanti Om" with four awards for best art direction (Sabu Cyril), best special effects (Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd.), best costume designing (Manish Malhotra, Karan Johar and Sanjiv Mulchandani) and best makeup (Bharat-Dorris, Ravi Indulkar and Namrata Soni).

The choreography award went to Vaibhavi Merchant for "Aaja Nachle" for the title number, while Javed Sheikh and Ejaz Sheikh won the best action award for "Shootout at Lokhandwala". The award for best sound recording went to H Sridhar for "Guru" for the song 'Barso re...', while A R Rehman won the IIFA Award for best background score for the same flick. Imtiaz Ali won the IIFA for best dialogues for the movie "Jab We Met".

The Hindu

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