Shahrukh Khan speaks on Quran burning issue in USA

Shahrukh Khan one of the most proactive moderate Muslims of India had a tough time answering a question which a reporter asked him. Shahrukh Khan who is almost always the wittiest best and never gives media any chance to write against him was in bad condition when asked about Quran burning issue which is going on in US right now.

Recently, Terry Jones, pastor of the Florida Church (US), issued a statement saying that the church will burn a Quran, The Holy Book of Muslims, on coming September 11 to mark the anniversary of 9/11 attacks. Such a statement has irked Muslims all over the world and various US embassies present around the world in Islamic countries have condemned the idea.

In an interview with a US National daily, Jones said – “We realize that this action would indeed offend people, offend the Muslims. I am offended when they (Muslims) burn the United States flag. I am offended when they burn the Bible. But we feel that the message that we are trying to send is much more important than people being offended."

Jones said Muslims are welcomed in the United States, if they observe the Constitution and don't try to impose Sharia law, or any other Muslim law. The message, he said, is directed toward the "radical element of Islam."

"Our message is very clear," he said. "It is not to the moderate Muslim. Our message is not a message of hate. Our message is a message of warning to the radical element of Islam, and I think what we see right now around the globe provides exactly what we're talking about," he added.

And recently when Shahrukh was back from London a reporter asked him about the whole story to which he said that however I have always said that it is their country so let them do whatever they want to and instead we should think about being Indian first, but at the same time I would say that doing such things will change the perception of US in people’s minds people will not again think about US being an open nation rather they will think that it is a narrow minded Christian centric country.

Shahrukh Khan ignores Farah Khan

Shahrukh Khan recently paid visit to his new friend in Bollywood on the sets of Master Chef, Akshay Kumar in Film city. SRK however, blatantly ignored Farah Khan by not meeting her on the sets of Tees Maar Khan put up close to Master Chef set it.

Shahrukh was delighted to have a look over the set which he totally adored. He also went ahead to discuss about a producing a movie along with Akshay where both former and latter don the lead roles. In the midst of all this, he intentionally chose not to see his once a close friend Farah.

Nevertheless, Salman Khan is heard to have met Farah at the same time on the sets. Interestingly, Salman would be doing a cameo in one of the songs featured on Akshay and Katrina.

We wonder how far was the SRK genuine when he wished Farah good luck for Tees Maar Khan or was it Akki’s sake considering he didn’t bother to show up at Farah’s sets located in the vicinity. Only future will unfold the mystery.

Kansai Nerolac appoints SRK as brand ambassador

Kansai Nerolac Paints has announced actor Shahrukh Khan as its new brand ambassador.

This announcement comes just ahead of the festive season that will see the superstar highlight the company's several eco-friendly decorative paint solutions.

Kansai Nerolac has used film personalities in the past to endorse and represent its brands like Amitabh Bachchan and Mohanlal.

Kansai Nerolac in the recent past has increased its focus on safer, eco-friendly paints using new technology to produce low Volatile Organic Compound, lead free paints enhancing the in-home environment.

Some of the new advanced products launched by the company include Nerolac Impressions Eco-clean and Nerolac Excel Total with heat guard and now our entire range of water based products is Low VOC.

Kansai Nerolac Paints MD HM Bharuka said, "We have significantly improved our product offering with a new range of eco-friendly products that have been produced using advanced technology, conforming to highest norms of health and environment safety. At this point we felt the need of an ambassador who reflects this and who could help us effectively communicate this to our consumers. Shahrukh Khan was a perfect choice for us and we are extremely happy to have him."

Kansai Nerolac Paints VP - marketing and sales (Decorative) Anuj Jain said, "Shahrukh Khan enjoys a mass appeal and is amongst the most popular personalities in the country. We have planned a nationwide television campaign as well as outdoor and print in select markets across India. He will also front a series of strategic marketing initiatives of the company."

Shahrukh and Akshay to star together?

The friendship between Shahrukh Khan and Akshay Kumar is growing stronger by the day. Recently, SRK praised Akshay Kumar for his upcoming project TEES MAAR KHAN, which is being directed by Farah Khan.

According to reports, SRK is trying to mend fences with Farah and his growing friendship with Akshay is proving to be fruitful for that. SRK's open praise about Farah Khan's film is his way of sending the gestures of peace across.

Now, reports further suggest that the bonding between SRK and Akshay has reached a point where the two superstars are planning to produce a film together and chances are that they might also star in the same film.

Barry John is a great teacher, says Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan on his guru...

“The days when I was doing theatre in Delhi was an interesting time. Barry (John) was a great support when I was doing theatre in his group. Barry is a great teacher and above all, he is a great human being. I have learnt so much from him both on stage and off it. I have always remained indebted to everybody with whom I have come in contact with at any point in my life. And that includes Barry, who’ll always have a special space in my life. Most of my friends even now laugh at me that I have become a film star. Besides the fact that I work hard, God’s blessings,and all those people who have been kind (like Barry) to me…”

Theatre director Barry John on his most famous student

“There are a lot of factors that go into the making when you are trying to make the cut in Bollywood —talent, perseverance, belief in yourself, a never-give-up-attitude and of course, a bit of luck. Shah Rukh had the perfect combination of all of them. Yes, he is my most famous student and I am known all over as somebody who taught acting to him. But I won’t take credit for that as I believe that everything that you do is a learning process. If you look at Shah Rukh’s life closely, it is the stuff of what dreams are made of. Shah Rukh’s life is a like a fairy tale — there’s tragedy, loss, comedy and a success that none has seen so far. He was there in the right place at the right time, and worked his way up to the top without anyone there to push him. This is true that he is the reason why so many believe that they can make it in Bollywood, even if they are not related to any big-shot in Bollywood. Nobody can make anybody. Shah Rukh was destined to be a somebody, and he’s also one of the most intelligent persons that I have come across. I am so proud of him like the rest of the country.”

Salman and SRK avoid coming face-to-face

Yesterday everyone shooting in and around Film City were waiting with bated breath to see what would happen when Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan came face-to-face.

The once-upon-a-time friends were shooting on sets next to each other.

While Salman was shooting for a film, SRK was there for a commercial. Surprisingly, they managed to not cross each other's paths all day.

Perhaps SRK used his super powers from RA.One to turn invisible while Salman wore his Chulbul Pandey ensemble to avoid being recognised. Tee hee.

Salman and SRK avoid coming face-to-face

Yesterday everyone shooting in and around Film City were waiting with bated breath to see what would happen when Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan came face-to-face.

The once-upon-a-time friends were shooting on sets next to each other.

While Salman was shooting for a film, SRK was there for a commercial. Surprisingly, they managed to not cross each other's paths all day.

Perhaps SRK used his super powers from RA.One to turn invisible while Salman wore his Chulbul Pandey ensemble to avoid being recognised. Tee hee.

I have a huge amount of respect for Aamir and Salman, says Shahrukh Khan

So what if Shah Rukh Khan isn't starring in KJo's new release (he's not even doing a cameo or a hot item number this time), but he's there in spirit.

And in the promotions too. After all, he's family, na? Yeah, during a promotional interview of We Are Family, with Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal, SRK casually blended in with the team and started talking about the movie, leaving all the viewers stunned and amused. Of course, the perfect moment was when he commented on the two other Khans. He said, "I have a huge amount of respect for Aamir and Salman.

I think they're wonderful. I think they're great stars, I know them personally and they're great human beings. And they're much bigger stars than I can ever be. I hope one day I can be like them in terms of work." Bravo, SRK, bravo! Over to you Sallu, c'mon and give us a quick dabangg reply. While Aamir can start pondering already...

Will not sell KKR to make a fast buck: Shahrukh Khan

Badshah of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan has no intention of selling his stake in his IPL cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders. In a rare interview with CNBC-TV18, Khan spells out the business plans for his company Red Chillies Entertainment.

Below is a verbatim transcript of his interview with CNBC-TV18's Swati Khandelwal.

Shahrukh Khan, Actor

Excerpts from Reporter's Diary on CNBC-TV18 Watch the full show »

Q: What are your plans for Red Chillies?

A: We started very small, but lately I have started thinking that I would go a little big in terms of film production at least. So far we have done normally at any good time one or maybe the second film kind of starting once we are finishing the first one. We have a bit of television going, we have advertising going, we have a good VFX unit. So we are in a way technologically a little advanced as far as the production side is concerned.

But creativity requires a lot of time as to what story content has to be. But this year we have set up a new office now. We have all the youngsters who have grown with the company who are all I guess itching to get into cinema, make films. I think now I feel the need to start making 4-5 films. When you make 4-5 films, the company has always run on ‘no profit, no loss’ kind of criteria to start off. If the film does well good but at least we don’t try to lose money.

But now with 5 films on the floor yes it will become a little unaffordable. But public, no. I think I am too busy with the creative aspects to really get into business in such a big way. But if I have guys in the office who would like to do it, it's their company, they can take it public.

Q: How big is the company at this point in time and how much investments have already gone into it?

A: It's got a very big heart. We have been working on it for what, around 7-8 years now, about 9 years we have been making films. We have made about 9 to 10 films. Some of them good, some of them fantastic, some of them pathetic.

A lot of investment has gone in. I don't know the exact figures. But what we have tried to do is we have never borrowed money. The money is essentially brought in perhaps sometimes personally and then we work towards making sure it is returned. So it is kind of debt free. If that makes any sense, I keep hearing people saying companies are good when they are debt free. So we don’t have any loans or debts. Everything that is invested in the company is personal and then been earned back as the years have gone by.

Q: Another company, KKR, the entity that’s doing reasonably good now, what's the plan really there? We were hearing about a possible stake sell, you may look at raising money through stake sell in that company. Is that true? What do you have to say on that?

A: I don’t know every time our team loses a match they say I am selling the company. So it has got nothing to do with the cricket part of it as far as the company is concerned.

We have to wait for the rules, what's happening now. There is a lot of unknown right now. So on the business front it is very clear KKR is owned by us, myself and Jay (Jay Mehta,) and Juhi (Juhi Chawla Mehta). We will keep it. We haven’t really sat down ever and thought of - I keep reading that we are selling our stake. But I have never really seriously ventured or thought about it.

If I ever do it then it would be not dumb money, it would be strategic money. I would like to do it with a sporting kind of a partner who knows more about sports instead of just making a fast buck. That's not what we are in the business in KKR for.

Why is Shahrukh Khan upset?

Being an aspiring soccer player although destiny had something else in store for him, Shahrukh Khan's heart still lies in sports. So, the latest controversies hovering over sports arena be it Indian Premiere League or match fixing or no ball issue, all such talks have upset King Khan. And why not, when SRK worships sports as much as films.

SRK takes his personal dilemma as far as his Knight Riders are concerned as an example to prove how the image of sports and sportsmen are ruined at the cost of filling spaces in the newspaper. He went on to add that for if IPL would have been fake, then he would have tried his level best to make his team win each time when in fact it has lost.

He also made a special mention of how media puts down the sportsmen's sportsmanship if they don't perform well.