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A police official, however, confirmed that the case had not been withdrawn even after the corrigendum was published.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."

Shah Rukh Khan had stepped in to help Jackky

Not many may be aware that it was none less than Shah Rukh Khan who recommended newcomer Jackky Bhagnani for acting. It was his referral letter to Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute that allowed the ‘Kal Kissne Dekha’ debutant to enroll himself in the school for honing up his acting skills.

Confirms Vashu Bhagnani, the proud father and producer of ‘Kal Kissne Dekha’ which hit the screens over the Friday gone by, “It was Jackky who informed me that a letter of reference was a must for an admission to Lee Strasberg. I thought of Shah Rukh Khan and he was gracious enough to oblige.”

Even though Shah Rukh Khan hasn’t actively worked with any of the films produced by Vashu Bhagnani (except for being a ’sutradhar’ in ‘Silsiilay’), he didn’t have any hesitation in putting together a letter of reference.

“That’s the beauty of this industry”, gushes Vashu, “People always stand up for you based on your relationship. It could be professional or personal but industry has always been together. There could be some stray elements here or there that may bring in some negativity but by and large, Bollywood is indeed a family. Moreover, Shah Rukh has been above all this.”

Salman's trying to befriend Shah Rukh

It seems Salman Khan doesn’t want to keep grudges against King Khan. That’s the reason he decided to appear on Shah Rukh’s best friend Farah Khan’s chat show which has been produced by SRK’s production house.

After Salman-SRK’s big fight it was even impossible to think that the duo will cross each other’s path. But we hear that Salman has shot for Farah’s chat show along with his mother. It seems Farah’s playing mediator in this. Interestingly, Farah who shares a good rapport with Salman has choreographed a song for Salman’s Main Aur Mrs Khanna .

Things had gone wrong between the two Khans during the filming of SRK’s Chalte Chalte when Aishwarya Rai was replaced as the lead actress by Rani Mukerji. Salman and SRK had hugged each and buried the hatchet at Farah Khan’s wedding. Hope Farah manages to solve the fight between these two Khans once again.

Spotted: Shah Rukh Khan in San Francisco

Reader Anshu and Amit Choraria met Shah Rukh Khan in San Francisco. The star was shooting for his film, My Name Is Khan.

SRK’s Love For Entertainment

Sony's Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, has found a new fan in King of Entertainment, Shahrukh Khan himself..

It so happened that SRK and Farah Khan started chatting about Sony's Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega at the former's place last Saturday where SRK expressed his love for the show.

According to our source, "SRK was not very discreet about his feelings. He completely bowled over Farah about how he appreciates all the contestants and their rare talents."

Our source further adds, "Shahrukh also spoke about the one act which stood out. He vividly remembered the Goan guy Wendell who amazed everyone with his fire stunts. He remembered him so well because Wendell had entertained Shahrukh and other members of Yashraj fraternity sometime in the past."

Our source further goes on to say, "SRK also mentioned that the show is a favorite of his kids and that they are completely glued to the channel when the show is on."

The show is indeed promoting unique talent all over the country. Every week viewers are encouraged to participate if they think they got what it takes. Then they are invited to perform in front of a live audience and the judges Farah and Annu Malek. The search goes on from Monday to Thursday out of which eight people are selected. All eight bag 10,000 rupees. On Friday two out of these eight are selected as finalists who then go on to compete for the grand prize of rupees 5 lakhs.

Well, we now know what it takes to please SRK and his family..