Malaysian artists protest state award to Shah Rukh Khan

A state award to bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has stirred up a hornet's nest here with local artists protesting the decision saying the star did not deserve the title.
The President of the Artistes Association of Malaysia Mustapha Maarof said Khan did not deserve the award. The Association said it would hand a letter to the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage stating that the award by Malacca state was "irrelevant".

"Giving the award to an outsider is as if certain quarters are belittling the credibility and creativity of local talents," he said adding that local film makers and actors had struggled hard to raise the standard of the film industry.

Khan was awarded the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM), which carries the title 'Datuk' was conferred to him by the Malacca state, one of the 13 states of Malaysia for promoting Malacca in his songs and films. Khan's film "One Two Ka Four" was shot in Malacca.

The actor was among several others who to get the award on the occasion of 70th birth anniversary of Malacca's head of state Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

Khan, however, did not attend the award ceremony as he was in Singapore to attend a show.

The actor is hugely popular in Malaysia especially among the Muslim Malays, who see all his Hindi films in Malay subtitles. Khan is also popular among the Pakistani community here.

The award has inadvertently stirred up a controversy in this Indian films crazy southeast Asian country as several people including the opposition parties have already raise questions over the state's decision to award Shah Rukh Khan ignoring the contribution of locals.

Print ads of Shah Rukh Khan Boulevard

For almost two decades, 'Baadshah of Bollywood' Shah Rukh Khan has been entertaining us through the dream world of cinema. The actor, who is known to try out different mediums of entertainment (be it Films/ T.V. / Sports- IPL), is now getting into something which is a shift from the dream world into a world of reality.

In case you are wondering what we are talking about, it's the latest project that King Khan is part of called Shah Rukh Khan Boulevard. For the uninitiated, Shah Rukh Khan Boulevard is an AED 8 billion signature beachfront residential development at the picturesque Dana Island in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven Emirates of the UAE. Besides 10 premium residential towers and its fair share of high-end hotels and commercial complexes, the Boulevard will also have an underwater discotheque and lounge connected by a glass tunnel, a sit-in theatre, a shopping mall, called the Shah Rukh Khan Plaza, and a public square on the beach, the first of its kind in the world.

The actor, who was in Dubai recently at the announcement of this mega project, said that this is the first time that he is venturing out into something which doesn't require him to sing and dance around trees. The actor is involved in this project along with UAE's TSA Group which in turn will work closely with L.A. based architect Tony Ashai to make this dream a reality. Shah Rukh also spoke highly of the love and support that he has received every time from fans in the UAE and said that it was always his dream to be involved in such a project that will help in giving people a quality lifestyle experience.

Even the first set of print ads of the Shah Rukh Khan Boulevard has the actor talking about things which cant be made real in the world of cinema and how some things work and feel best only when they are real.

Whether the Shah Rukh Khan Boulevard will indeed be a 'Real Lifestyle Experience' is something which we would know only when the project is completed in 2012.

“I sell dreams, now I’m going to sell reality,” - Shah Rukh Khan

You already know about SRK Boulevard, the Dhs8 billion beachfront project Shah Rukh Khan is building on Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Dana Island, in collaboration with the UAE-based TSA Group. Now find out how he wants this project to be “unique” and “special”.

In a one-on-one with Masala! following a press conference, King Khan talks about his idea of a perfect home and more.

How will you leave your mark on this project?

I’ve been really trying to think that out. I don’t want it to be too much SRK, like any sort of image or photograph, because one day if you don’t like Shah Rukh Khan, I don’t want you not to like your home. I know finally Shah Rukh Khan will get over, but I want you to love your home all the time.

I want to design something with my wife and (architect) Tony that will be me, yet not be in your face. A thing you will look at and say, this is something Shah Rukh Khan did himself. It could even be a flower arrangement (pointing to a vase on the table), but I hope it will be more concrete and permanent than that (smiles).

What B’wood element can we expect? An Om Shanti Om disco?

Of course there will be a nightclub and of course, as you say, there will be elements of Bollywood. Now my work is beginning to define me a little and I’m beginning to get recognised.

Even if it sounds pompous, I AM Bollywood. So there has to be Bollywood themes woven in. We haven’t worked out the details yet, but it will be something significantm definitely.

What material thing is closest to you in your own home?

That’s a lovely question! It’s a Wurlitzer jukebox that plays CDs. You know, more than anything else, I like open spaces. My idea of a perfect home is where my son does a double sommersault and lands on my shoulders, without hitting a table.

How many of your famous friends have signed up already?

All my friends will come – and you will see them. I want to give them something concrete to look at first and only then will I talk to them about this.

I’ve always sold dreams, now I’m selling reality. But this project is not for Shah Rukh Khan and friends. This is for you, for everyone. A place where everyone can have a home and share a smile.

... and pass the bubble bath!

Asked a cheeky question about bathtubs at the press conference, SRK said:

“I will come free with the bathtubs. I promise you I will be in them every Saturday morning.”

By: Sonali Raha

SRK's next trendsetting song in RNBDJ

While his detractors tried to pass off the super success of OM SHANTI OM to the presence of almost the entire industry (barring Aamir Khan) in the title track, the truth behind Shah Rukh Khan's phenomenal box–office magic is known world wide and is in fact like a universal truth! The raw data available with reputed trade sources says that almost a year has passed but OSO still holds the record of netting the highest total of 87 crores from India.

Not only that, many have tried and some are still trying to upstage the trendsetting OSO title track by getting a number of old and current stars to put in an appearance in their lavishly picturised item numbers.

However, as far as Bollywood's global superstar is concerned, he's moved on in life and is concentrating on his forthcoming film, Aditya Chopra's RAB NE BANA DI JODI. The much awaited project is reported to have another novel song sequence, extending to all of 12 minutes. Sung by Sonu Nigam, the number is a tribute to the older (and more civil!) Bollywood stars like Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore, amongst others. Reportedly King Khan's team in the endeavour includes Rani Mukherjee and Priyanka Chopra.

Well, we are quite happily consumed with expectations, more so because we have seen SRK paying tribute to some of Bollywood's legends on a leading satellite channel just a few years ago.

´Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi´ With ´Roadside Romeo´

As has been the tradition with Yash Raj Films, the promo of their next upcoming release will be included in the reels of their latest release.

We are obviously refering to 'Roadside Romeo', which will carry in its prints the first teaser of their December 12 release, Aditya Chopra's Shah Rukh Khan starrer, 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'.

While on 'Roadside Romeo' the animated film for which Saif and Kareena have done the voiceover, is all set to hit the screens on 24th October 2008.

After Big B, it is now SRK!

When someday someone decided to remake the yesteryear hit Don, it was Shahrukh Khan who was considered as the best bet to match up to the charisma of Amitabh Bachchan. Then be it playing the gangster or dancing to the song Khaike Paan Banaras Wala , SRK did total justice to the act.

Just a few moons after Big B graced the wax museum at Madame Tussaud’s, it was Shahrukh Khan, so loved and so admired by people all over the world, to be thought worthy and carved into a wax statue.

Also, while Bachchan forayed into the small screen with the quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati , it was SRK yet again who was deemed fit to host the second season of the show and thereby match up again the magnetism of the matinee idol.

And it doesn’t stop here. The same time around the Bachchans kicked off their Unforgettable Tour, King Khan was busy globetrotting for his Temptations Reloaded tour.

And now, it’s their Dubai connection that has once again forced us to do that comparison. Just a few months after the Bachchans acquired a property in Dubai, Khan has gone a step ahead striking a deal with a property developer for a project, Shahrukh Khan Boulevard.

The place is Dana Island in Ras Al Khaimah and the money to be invested is a whooping Dh8 billion and Khan’s idea is to cut out a familial heaven in the beautiful Dubai.

At the event of launching the project, Khan promised, “Shah Rukh Khan Boulevard promises to be as colourful, vibrant, romantic yet realistic as my hit movies.”

Khan who is a hot selling brand ambassador for various big brands has joined hands with property developers TSA Group to launch the marvelous architectural project but this time he is not merely endorsing the brand but also owns the project that will be completed by 2012. The actor is also creatively involved in the building process.

Underground glass tunnels leading up to underground glass discotheques, sit-in theatres by the beach, a public square and high-end stores are just few of the attractive factors that the project has on offer.

The smooth talking romantic star on screen, a loving husband and a dotting father at home and an intelligent businessman at work... a great combination that makes great men and the man called Shahrukh Khan!

Babylon AD actress wants to work with Shah Rukh

Actress Michelle Yoeh, best known for acting in multiple-Oscar winning film 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and Bond film 'Die Another Day,' loves to deliver punches on screen but her ultimate desire is to pair with India's romantic idol King Khan.

Yoeh, whose science-thriller 'Babylon AD' released in Indian theatres recently is also hoping that the film would be liked in India.

"I know Shah Rukh Khan is quite famous in India and I would love to star opposite him. But unfortunately no calls yet. But, yes I wish I could get to work with him as a lead actress, be it a Hollywood or Indian film," says Yoeh.

This Asian actress is a Bollywood fan too.

LINC Pen appoints Shah Rukh Khan as brand ambassador

Linc has been growing steadily at 20% per annum and the association with Khan is sure to boost both the brand value and its growing customer base.

LINC Pen, one of the top players in the branded pen industry has announced the appointment of Shah Rukh Khan as their brand ambassador. This is the first time that LINC PEN has opted for a celebrity brand ambassador to endorse its products.

Deepak Jalan, Managing Director, Linc Pen expressed, We are very proud to have Shah Rukh Khan as our brand ambassador. King Khan is someone who personifies style, entertainment and popularity and these values resonate perfectly with our brand attributes as well. Moreover, SRK cuts across age groups and demographics and appeals to a universal audience just like our products and was therefore a natural fit for the brand.

Linc has been growing steadily at 20% per annum and the association with Khan is sure to boost both the brand value and its growing customer base.

Wishing the Linc family the very best, SRK commented, It's wonderful to be a part of the Linc team.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Music this Diwali!

That the composing duo of Salim-Sulaiman are talented is something everyone will agree with, the two have been behind the music for some really big films like Chak De India, Aaja Nachle and Fashion. Up next for them is the soundtrack for the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Salim recently sat down with Sandhya Iyer and talked all things music.

Here are some highlights from that interview.

Besides the songs for films the duo also has composed many background scores and Salim says it is one of the aspects of the music industry they enjoy the most. “Background music will always be our first love. People don’t realise but it is such an integral part of a film. In the West especially, it plays an even more important role – at least here we have a musical tradition and incorporate songs. That’s not the case with films in other countries. Which is why background music becomes the sound of your film…it is the soul of a movie. It has the potential to elevate a film’s story to another level altogether.”

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, which stars Shah Rukh Khan and is directed by Aditya Chopra is one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. The two were shocked when they were approached for the film, “When Adi (Aditya Chopra) said we’d be doing the music for his film, we were pretty shocked. We said, ‘Are you joking! You can get anyone to do music for the film. Shankar Ehsaan Loy, A R Rahman…anyone, then why us? He replied, ‘You have an untapped energy in you and I want that element in the film’.”

He went on to reveal more about the style of the music saying, “All I can say is that the songs are very different. They have a rustic quality to them. There is a lot of Indianness and simplicity in the songs. But I can tell you, we’re thrilled about the film’s title song. It’s our finest ever….like an iconic love song.”

Fans are sure to rush out to get their copy of the soundtrack and Salim revealed when it will be released. “We’re looking at releasing it on Diwali day. I’m sure Adi has planned for something big.”

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.