KJo terrified after SRK backlash

After the backlash to Shah Rukh Khan’s statements on Prophet Mohammad, a terrified Karan Johar intensifies research for My Name is Khan

Filmmakers have to be careful when making films on subjects that might hurt people’s sentiments. And more so, if the filmmaker is Karan Johar, making a film on terrorism with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead. Given the flurry over the actor’s recent comments on Prophet Mohammad, Karan has gone back to his research books, lest his film, My Name is Khan causes any controversy.

Karan knows he’s walking on glass here with his film and is taking every precaution to see that he doesn’t cross the line. In fact, all filmmakers are putting in extra effort to make sure that they maintain religious and cultural decorum. From Rahul Dholakia, who is making Lamha on Kashmir and the issue of identity in the valley, to Kabir Khan, whose New York is about an NRI Muslim’s confinement in the US for suspected terrorism, they’re all praying that their sensitive films be taken in the right light. They’re hoping that the intolerant sections of the society do not raise an outcry for apparent slights to their religion and beliefs.

Following the unforeseen volatile reaction to Shah Rukh’s statements, Karan is re-checking the facts that form the basis of his research on the film. Reveals a source, “My Name is Khan is a new territory for Karan. He has never done such a subject before. Though Karan insists it’s humane not a political subject, the fact is My Name is Khan is about Islamic isolation and about one individual Muslim’s fight for his dignity in an increasingly hostile world. The last thing Karan wants is fundamentalist groups questioning him about the film.”

There are already murmurs of protest against the film and it can be recalled that while shooting in the US, the unit was denied permission to shoot in a local mosque and a few Muslim members of the unit were simply denied visas to go to US for the shoot.

Our source adds, “Karan is only more adamant now and won’t have his film stopped by protestors. My name is Khan and Qurbaan, his films on sensitive subjects continue to have Muslims Shah Rukh and Saif Ali Khan in lead roles.”

Shahrukh Khan AD Shoot on Location - Video

SRK says no to Gowariker

After burning his hands with Ashutosh Gowariker's Swades (2004) which flopped at the box-office, Shah Rukh has flatly refused to work with the director for his next venture. Ashutosh offered SRK a role in a period film with Rani Mukerji as his screen partner, but after Swades, Shah Rukh isn't taking any chances.

Apparently, working with Gowariker on Swades wasn't one of the highlights of Shah Rukh's life, but Ashutosh asked him to forget the past and start afresh. Ashutosh also offered him incentives to make up for the experience. Our source said, “Ashutosh even told Shah Rukh that they could co-produce the film and he had no issues with Shah Rukh's style of working on commission basis. But even this did not evoke a favourable response.”

Meanwhile, Rani Mukerji is finally over her Yash Raj hangover. Her previous three films under the YRF banner: Laaga Chunri Mein Daag, Ta Ra Rum Pum and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic tanked at the box-office.

While Shah Rukh Khan remained unavailable for comment, Ashutosh Gowariker chose not to speak.

'I always follow the word of the Prophet'

SRK clarifies that he has never said anything against the Prophet in an interview

It is really unfortunate that a section of people are reacting to some interview of mine in the way that is best describeable as an unfounded overreaction.

To clarify...there is a mistake either in the way my statement is printed or misinterpretation on behalf of the writer of the piece.

When asked who I think are the most influential people in the world, I had stated that on the negative side there are a few and very clearly said which is also my utmost belief that Prophet Mohammad has had the most positive influence on the world.

I think the way it has been written makes it read otherwise and I don't think the writer intended it to be so either.

It's just a grammatical and writing oversight. But obviously some people would like to believe baselessly that I have belittled our Prophet.

This is completely wrong because if one was to see my interviews over the past 20 yrs, I always quote on the teachings of the Prophet and how relevant his words are in a positive way.

Whether I speak on terrorism or women or just tolerance I always follow the word of the Prophet because that is what I have been brought up on and that is what I have studied and believed.

As a matter of fact, I personally try and follow all the tenets laid down by the Prophet.

It is unfortunate when people around the world say that I speak so well on behalf of my religion always, there is a section of people in my country who have not understood and appreciated my stance on Islam and the Prophet and are reacting to a misprint.

I would appeal to the good hearts of all people, Muslim and otherwise, that before the media makes all of us a tool for sensationalising every little misinformation, please look at this and all issues with a clearer perspective and only then react.

I have for so many years led a life as a good human being and a Muslim as has been possible, why would I take a stance of hurting the sentiments of my own people.

My parents, Allah bless their souls, would never forgive me if I did something against the teachings of the Koran and the Prophet.

I think I am a good Muslim and I don't need to explain that to anyone, but hopefully the people who are reacting wrongly, will have it in their hearts to respect their own Muslim brother and teachings of our religion and see sense and please stop the whole overreaction to a printing error, for it is nothing more than that, I assure.

For years, I have spoken not only to my friends and family, but to everyone about my great belief in the words of the Prophet.

Why would I, in any which way, lessen the importance of the most revered messenger of Allah and lessen my own existence as a human being and a Muslim?

Hope the matter gets sorted and we move onto all the better ways of thinking and loving our people and our religion.

And because of the printing/misinterpretation if any sentiments are hurt, I ask for forgiveness first from Allah and then from all those who are emotionally disturbed and promise that I will always check the copy of the journalists who do interviews with me, especially on sensitive issues.

That would be a practical solution to curbing any such misunderstanding in the future. Hope this will end the matter peacefully.

Shahrukh Khan blames controversy on ‘writing error’

Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan yesterday denied he had “hurt the religious sentiments” of Muslims and said his comments to a magazine were misinterpreted due to a “writing error”.

On Thursday, the Mumbai Aman Committee (MAC) filed a police complaint after its members read in the Time’N Style-Luxury magazine that Khan had listed Prophet Muhammad as one of the most unimpressive personalities in history alongside Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill.

But Khan said it was a “writing error” and that he had named the Prophet among the most impressive personalities in history.

“Obviously I think that there is no more important figure in history than Prophet Muhammad in the most positive way possible. Also, being a Muslim and standing up for the tenets of Islam is my most important agenda. If they (MAC) have seen my interviews on TV about Islam and Prophet Muhammad, they would know it’s a writing error and not a thought or view that I believe in,” Khan said.

“For all practical purposes, Prophet Muhammad is the most important positive figure in Islam,” he added.

The magazine published a corrigendum in all Mumbai newspapers on Thursday accepting the error.

The corrigendum stated: “This is with reference to the interview with Shahrukh Khan that featured in Time’N Style-Luxury Vol-1 issue: The answer to question ‘According to you who is the most impressive figure in history?’ should have appeared as: ‘There are lots of them. Some negative ones like Hitler. Then Napoleon, Winston Churchill were impressive.

“ ‘If I can call it history then the most impressive, positive figure Prophet Muhammad and from recent times there are the nice ones like Nelson Mandela, Gandhiji and Mother Teresa.’ This is a clarification and the error is deeply regretted.’”
A police official, however, confirmed that the case had not been withdrawn even after the corrigendum was published.

FIR against Shah Rukh Khan for comments against Islam

Cops slap tough clause on actor after businessman alleges insult to Prophet in a recent interview

Khalid Babu Qureshi is insistent on dragging Shah Rukh Khan to court. Enraged at King Khan for allegedly making a negative statement about the Prophet in a magazine, the Bandra businessman filed a police complaint against the actor and the publication last evening.

The offence is non-bailable, say the police.

Qureshi, who is the president of the All India Jamaitul Quresh, alleged that Shah Rukh had used unparliamentary language against Prophet Mohammed, which is unacceptable for the Muslim community, in the June edition of the Time and Style magazine.

"We will not take this lying down. The issue was released on June 6, but we have received no replies from the actor or the publication so far. That is why we decided to file a complaint against the actor and the publication today," said Qureshi.

When asked whether they were waiting for an apology, Qureshi replied, "We will take the legal route now."

SRK clarifies
Shah Rukh Khan told, "Obviously, I think there is no figure in history more important than Prophet Mohammed.

Also, being a Muslim and standing up for the tenets of Islam is my most important agenda... and if they have seen my interviews, etc on TV about Islam, then the people who are objecting, should realise that what has appeared is a writing error not a thought or view that I believe in.

Prophet Mohammed is the most important positive figure in Islam... and anyone who questions my view on that, is doing it just to create a controversy."

He added, "Let the court decide what they want to do. I don't believe in violence. Khan should have withdrawn the issues from the stalls or the publication should have filed a corrigendum."

Apparently on Wednesday a mob had created a huge ruckus at Bandra police station, demanding that the police register a complaint against the actor and the publication.

According to Prakash George, senior police inspector of Bandra police station, "We have registered an FIR. We are investigating the matter and will proceed accordingly as it is a non-bailable offence."

The case was registered under section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religion feelings or any class by insulting its religion beliefs) and 34 (acts done by several persons with common interest) of IPC.

Bandra police sources have said they may question the actor when he returns from Los Angeles where he is currently shooting.

SRK's 'statement'
When asked, "According to you who is the most impressive figure in history?" Khan allegedly said, "There are lots of them, some negative ones like Hitler, Napoleon, Winston Churchill and if I can call it history, then Prophet Mohammed and from recent time Nelson Mandela." "And there are nice ones like Gandhiji and Mother Teresa."

SRK - Kajol cause havoc in US

It’s the onset of summer in the US of A.

And the west coast temperatures are soaring. But it’s less to do with weather conditions and more because our stars have carried our Indian summer into San Francisco already. Yeah, it’s the starry starry unit of Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan, shooting in SFO that is the cause of the dramatic change in the city temperatures.

Apparently the team is having a tough time shooting there, and our sources say that this has been one of Karan’s most challenging shoots ever. And we aren’t surprised, shooting with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol on the streets of SFO is no mean task, given the huge population of Indians there. Besides, SRK is hugely popular among other non-Indian communities, too. While all that attention is good, it’s becoming impossible to handle the crowds and with the shoot being in ‘sync sound’, they have an almost impossible task getting it at one go without background sounds.

They have about 20 more days to go and the unit can’t wait to wrap up this gruelling shoot and head back home. Well, the bigger the stars, the tougher it gets. Who would know that better than KJo, right?

Shah Rukh Khan to try his punches on Amitabh Bachchan

According to the latest B-town buzz, Shah Rukh Khan is now gearing up to try his punches on the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. If reports are to be believed, SRK would be seen fighting it out, literally, with Big B in the movie, ‘Happy New Year’.

The film, to be directed by Farah Khah, is going to be an action-romance, which will see Shah Rukh and Amitabh in serious action sequences.

Well, till now, whenever the two superstars have come together, it’s been a very father-son kind of a sequence. But this time, the heroes will reportedly be punching each other for the upcoming venture. ‘Happy New Year’ is slated for 2010 release.

Let’s see who will tower over whom in the fist fight of Titans of Bollywood!

Hai Allah, SRK!

The King Khan of Bollywood is shooting off his mouth, losing his religion.

The Badshah of Bollywood has been out of circulation for a while. We was wondering what the scene with him is when suddenly he’s back in the news making headlines for his controversial quotes.

In a recent interview to a glossy, SRK is said to have spoken of Prophet Mohammad in poor light. We wonder if that is possible, to speak against your own faith!

According to the magazine, the superstar has compared the Prophet to the likes of maniacal leaders such as Hitler and others.

Quite likely, the interview has upset a few people in the community and this is soon going to blow up into a nation wide scandal if the superstar does not nip it in the bud.

It is as this juncture we wish SRK blogged to keep us informed. He is presently out of India shooting for KJo's film My Name is Khan.

He had just got over with Billu troubles, tu-tu-main-main with other Khan actors, and now this. Must say, he has a way of staying on top.

Shah Rukh is known to make light hearted controversial statements in his interviews, which are blown out of context.

His last joke on a television channel some months ago was "There are two kinds of Muslims. One who believe in Allah and the other who believe in Moolah." Luckily for him, no fatwa was announced.

For an actor, repeatedly pulled up for having an opinion, maybe keeping a diplomatic distance from the press at this hour, will be a very good idea.

´My Name Is Khan´ Enters CBS Newsroom!

It is by now well known that Karan Johar's next venture, 'My Name Is Khan', featuring the hit pair of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, is being shot in and around San Francisco. And here is the latest!

As per sources 'My Name Is Khan' has entered the CBS newsroom! Yes, an important sequence of the film was shot earlier this week in the CBS 5 newsroom.

Normally, San Francisco's Film Commission Director Stephanie Coyote loves talking about the city's film projects. But about the film 'My Name Is Khan,' she said, "Very little, nothing at all in fact. Top secret."