Why SRK chooses mediocre films, asks 'MNIK' editor

Noted film editor Deepa Bhatia, whose latest work includes 'My Name Is Khan', says Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan chooses to act in "mediocre" films despite being a gifted actor.

Deepa, who has been awarded for editing films like Aamir Khan's 'Tare Zameen Par' and 'Rock On!!', said it was a discovery for her to see the real actor in Shah Rukh while editing 'My Name Is Khan'.

"Honestly I am no SRK fan but then he was so sincere in 'MNIK' which was amazing to see. It was a discovery for me to find the actor in Shah Rukh Khan. I fail to understand why he chooses to act in mediocre film," Deepa said.

"I don't understand the reason behind it. Whether he is just not interested or there is something else because he has also given some spectacular performances in films 'Chak De! India' and 'Swades'," she added.

Deepa, wife of writer-actor Amol Gupte, said that the filmmakers today have finally started to wake up to the tool of editing which puts the heart of the film at the right place.

No Politics for Shah Rukh Khan

Scoffing at the persistent speculations about his political ambitions Shah Rukh says he has absolutely no plans of joining politics. “People keep talking about my friendship with certain individuals in a particular party (Congress). But I’ve known Rajeev Shukla from before he was a part of the Congress. And I know Soniaji, Rahul and Priyanka just as I know people from other walks of life.”

In fact, says Shah Rukh, after the political controversy created by the Shiv Sena over what he says was an innocuous statement about the spirit of sportsmanship Shah Rukh has resolved to remain as far removed from politics and politicians as possible.

Shah Rukh Khan now sees the run-in with the Shiv Sena over his statement regarding the inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL, as a waste of time and energy.

Says Shah Rukh, “It was confusing. What was I supposed to apologize for? Later I heard on television that I wasn’t expected to apologize. Not for a second did I feel any aggression. I was calm throughout. I know Bala Saheb and Uddhav Thackeray well. We meet cordially whenever the occasion arises. But we’re on different playing fields. I’m in the business of cinema. They’re in politics.And we should keep it that way.”

What the mega-star regrets is that he missed out enjoying the release of My Name Is Khan. “The troubles that happened did take away from my thrill of the release. Frankly I was anxious about the safety of my family, colleagues, my office staff and fans. God forbid, even if one member of the audience had suffered any injury while going to see My Name Is Khan I’d have never forgiven myself.”

Looking back at the whole run-in with the Shiv Sena Shah Rukh gets deeply reflective. “I was privileged to have a father who was a freedom fighter, Not too many of us can claim such a privilege. He once said to me. ‘I had a hand in your birth. But I also had a hand in the birth of a free India.’ I didn’t want my father’s struggle to go to waste. When my son is 44 like I am now, I want him to be as proud of me as I am of my father.”

Shahrukh Khan: No Song, No dance till ‘5’ in a row!

Ask Shahrukh Khan why he is not celebrating the victory of his IPL team KKR, twice in a row in season three with much fervor and enthusiasm, and pat will come the reply, no more over excited ness till there are multiple victories.

Well, actually, the star had ha d a very heartbreaking experience during the first two seasons of the IPL Tournament, as his team had performed quite dismally. During those two seasons, he had been a constant driving force for the team. He would attend every match that his team played, until there were only failures and loses. Thus, King Khan had abstained from the grounds in the latter half of the tournament, thinking that his presence made the players a little tensed.

Thus, when this year he did not make an appearance during the first match of his team, he was missed by his fans a lot. After having won the first match against the champs of last season, Royal Challengers, SRK’s spirits were lifted a little bit. He then made an appearance at Eden Gardens, Kolkata with wife and daughter, with a satisfied expression on his face.

Through out the match, he had a subdued expression. Thus, when the Kolkata Knight Riders, finally emerged winners against the Royal Challengers, with a 7 wicket win, SRK was very pleased. However, he came up and said in a somber tone that he would not sing and dance just yet! This, he said had been advised to him by his partners and well wishers. So, our dear King Khan will only celebrate in style, if and when his team wins a total of 5 matches in a row!

Shahrukh Khan plays real life savior with élan

The very famous owner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Shahrukh Khan has successfully played the role of messiah, yet once again.

Recently, the fire brigade found super hospitality block- a temporary gallery-block at Eden Gardens to be unsafe. In an attempt to avoid any unwanted mishap, the fire brigade has instructed the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for demolishing the wooden block.

The controversy arose when KKR got to know that they need to make some modifications so that they can get a no-objection-certificate (NOC) from PWD.PWD secretary A Bardhan got a call from Khan, requesting PWD to carry out all the necessary desirable modifications after March 16 match. He also assured that the responsibility of the bloc safety would be taken by the KKR team.

The fire brigade, however, did not react very kindly to this issue. Fire brigade director Gopal Bhattacharjee commented that in case of any mishap, they would not delay in lodging a complaint against IPL and CAB. He also added that nobody bothered to contact the fire department while granting the NOC and using the block on Sunday.

CAB, however, refused to take any responsibility for the incident. CAB joint secretary Biswarup De argued that they cannot prevent anyone from entering the premise if the person has a valid ticket. He thinks that it is the responsibility of the team and fire department to be aware of the safety aspect.

SRK's huge fan following in Andes

Jorge Ramirez seemed like an amiable technician-turned cab owner who might be meeting an Indian for the first time in his life. "From India?" he asked and before I could answer yes, he added, "Shah Rukh Khan?" Before I could answer even that, he popped in a CD in his cab's player that belted out Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

To be asked about Shah Rukh in the midst of the Andes at the elevation of over 12,000 feet was surprising enough. What added to it was Jorge's excitement at meeting someone who was from the same country and, therefore, by implication his favourite star's representative.

As we began driving from La Paz to Lake Titicaca, reputedly the largest navigable lake in the world at an elevation of 14,000 feet, Jorge's CD kept churning out songs from many of Shah Rukh's most popular movies. He would occasionally hum along, not understanding a word of what was being said.

"I love Shah Rukh Khan and I have seen many of his movies," Ramirez told IANS. As if to prove his knowledge of the actor's body of work he mentioned Karan Arjun, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Chalte Chalte, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Na Ho and Main Hoon Na.

"I found Kal Ho Na Ho very touching, with Shah Rukh Khan's heart problem. I remember Karan Arjun was about two brothers and a mother. I also loved Main Hoon Na," Ramirez said as he seemed to process the complicated names of movies.

And then as if he had a eureka moment, he started talking about Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. He particularly mentioned a dance sequence of Kajol. "Kahol dances very good," he said pronouncing the 'j' in Kajol the way it is done by the Spanish-speaking people, like a soft 'h.'

Ramirez said his CDs and DVDs of Shah Rukh movies came from Lima, the capital of neighbouring Peru. It was obvious that the products were pirated, a detail that Ramirez was blissfully unaware of. When told about the actor's new movie My Name Is Khan, which Ramirez did not know of, he promised to get it from Lima on his next trip there.

It is hard to gauge how popular Hindi movies are in this part of the world, but if a visit to a corporate office the next day is any indication, their popularity certainly stretches beyond Ramirez. An office worker was playing a Shah Rukh song on her PC!

IPL 2010: Another win for SRK’s Knight Riders

And this time, Shah Rukh was watching at the stadium, not from home

It looks like inviting cricket coaching suggestions from the public is working for Shah Rukh Khan’s IPL team, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). They’ve won their second match of IPL 2010, defeating the Royal Challengers Bangalore team. KKR were set a target of 135 runs, and they scored 136/3 in 19.2 overs

Playing at the Eden Gardens ground in Kolkata, victory must have been sweeter for the team who had a rather disappointing run at the tournament’s last edition. This year, though, has started out as a different story. And for all those saying that SRK’s team probably wins when he isn’t watching the match at the stadium, the superstar proved them wrong. He and wife Gauri were at the stadium for this match, unlike the last one where they watched from home.

And, as usual, SRK was active on Twitter before the match, in turns funny and serious. He tweeted a little before the match, “will watch it in the stadium if all our seatings etc r done. otherwise with the family at the hotel. lalit brian lara all here.” As it happened, SRK and Gauri were sitting near Lalit Modi and Brian Lara, and chatting while the match was on.

He had tweeted yesterday, “my mother in law has given some fielding tips which she says i need to pass onto the team. will mention it to the team for a laugh tom.ha ha.” Well, whatever tips have been passed on to the KKR team, they seem to be working!

And while SRK provided the star quotient for his team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore had Katrina Kaif (looking all pretty in a red team jersey) cheering for them.

WATCH: Karan Johar on Knight Rider's victory

If you're wondering why SRK was conspicuous by his absence during IPL's very first match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers, good friend Karan Johar throws some light on how SRK may not be present at any match held outside Kolkata.

INTERVIEW: If you believe in something, go for it, says Shah Rukh Khan

Superstar No.1 SRK speaks to Lokendra Pratap Sahi - A TELEGRAPH EXCLUSIVE

Your thoughts and emotions leading up to the first home match this season, on Sunday?
A The same as they were two years ago, in the IPL’s first season... With all the controversies and the issues that we’ve had, the one thing consistent has been the support of Calcuttans... When people love you so much, then you want to give them reasons to smile... That’s an obligation... Hopefully, there will be reason to smile across all centres, not just in Calcutta, during this IPL.

Did you intentionally not attend the opener, in Navi Mumbai?
Except Calcutta, I usually don’t go for matches anywhere... I sense that everybody in Calcutta loves the team the most and, so, I also come for the team... The team is more important and that is how it should be... It’s not that a film is being released and the focus has to be on me.

But you remain the biggest draw... There’s you and the captain, Sourav Ganguly...
It’s a misconception that I’m the biggest draw... If that indeed is so, then it has to be changed... Perhaps, we haven’t given enough reasons for the people to believe that I’m not the biggest draw... However, I appreciate the love and affection showered on the Knight Riders. I’ve been touched.

Do you get asked about KKR during your interactions with the media, or the public in general, overseas?
Recently, I was in New York and in Berlin... People do ask questions... Somebody asked me about the LA Lakers and I said that nothing in the world matches the atmosphere at Eden Gardens... I’d say that even if my team didn’t have an association with the ground... For me, there’s no place in the world to match Eden Gardens.

Third season as the principal owner of an IPL franchise... How do you look back on this experience?
I never look back... It’s over and done with... What can you do by looking back? I can’t do anything about the past, so why get into it? Be it successes or failures, I don’t dwell on the past... Obviously, it took me a few weeks and months to get over the fact that we didn’t play well enough (in the first two editions)... It took time because I’m passionate about what I do... (After a pause) A lot of people live on their successes and victories, I don’t... That’s the way I’ve lived my life and will continue doing so... I’m through with my films on the Monday after they’ve been released... Of course, it took me a little longer than a Monday to get over the KKR disappointments... I got over it before this season got under way and I’m sure the team got over it, too.

Looking ahead, then, is the mantra?
You know, I often get the feeling that we, as a people, lack positivity... I reach out to the youngsters and tell them failure isn’t fatal and success isn’t final... While I’m not looking back, I’m definitely thankful to the sponsors who’ve kept faith in us... I’m thankful to my business associates, like Jeet (Banerjee), too...

Frankly, when you made the investment, did you expect the IPL to make such a huge impact?
If you believe in something, go for it... Look, I’ve experienced enough successes and failures in the business part of my life... I don’t know number crunching... I’ve done things because I’ve believed in them and I’ve enjoyed doing them... I’m thankful that we’ve made money, but I’m not into numbers and figures... I see myself as a sportsman and sportsmen try to win... Of course, you can lose in sport, but you don’t have to be a loser... The other day, an interviewer asked whether I’d like the franchise to win or for it to make money. Obviously, if I had to choose, I’d like KKR to first win... I mean, that’s why I and the other co-owners have got involved.

But some did question your primary motive...
From the outside, yes, I’ve heard a lot of crap... ‘Shah Rukh does it because of this’ and ‘Shah Rukh does it because of that’... I know the reason why I’m doing this and my God knows why I’m into this... That is all that matters... There was no need for people to put the team down... Yes, we didn’t play well in the first two editions, but have put in everything to do better... The happiness didn’t go out of the team and we still partied with our friends.

For the past couple of months, you’ve been in the news almost everyday. There have been controversies over the IPL auction... Over My Name Is Khan...
(Laughs) That’s because I’m a superstar!

Accepted... But is there something you’ve learnt in this period?
If you’re going to do a good job in your field, then there will be a lot of people trying to (run one down)... I get 97 per cent goodness in my life everyday... I have more people (well-wishers) outside my house than I deserve... I have more benefits in my life than I deserve to have... I have more appreciation by way of awards, money, fame and name than I probably deserve... So, 97 per cent of it is good... If I’m going to lead my life by the three per cent, then... You’ve got to choose what makes you happy... It’s not a question of whether this period has taught me anything or not... I need to follow principles and I need to believe in what I’m doing... I don’t need to wear it on my sleeve... Don’t need to show off to people what I’m doing... From the outside, you can’t understand what I go through... Only I know that... Believe me, one gets numbed by success and failures.

What drives you?
The fact that I’m not sure I’ll get it right all the time. When I make a film, I don’t know whether it will succeed or not... I want it to, but don’t know...

When you start a venture, is there a fear that things may not work out well?
Why must your question be on what may not be right? Just because you don’t do well, to begin with, doesn’t mean that its worth has to be questioned. Sport is also about losing, it’s not only about winning... That being so, what’s wrong with losing? People say things from the outside and make money too! Last year, there was this blogger, who made money out of my team... A lot of people sit on the shoulders of those who’re famous and work relentlessly to make their own name. There are people who see the glass half empty, I see it as half full.

You’ve promised a change in KKR’s attitude. Will you spell it out?
I’d like the Knights to be like me... I want the players to be happy... Dada (Sourav) is instilling that... Work hard and have a good time... I enjoy the process of working hard and I want the players, too, to enjoy the process... Internal reasons, not external, contributed to the team’s attitude not being what it should have been in the first two seasons... I heard something about the coach, something about a communication gap, something about the multiple captains bit... However, we tried... We failed trying new things, we haven't failed trying the traditional things...

The Knights, you feel, should be like you... How would you describe yourself?
I cut out the negative things and look only at the positives.

Unlike in 2008, when the biggest signings from overseas left after a few matches, the top guns will be there for the critical stage of this year’s IPL. That must be making you comfortable...
I’d be happy to have all of them for the entire six weeks... That would be the ideal situation, but that isn’t always possible... It would, after all, be great to have choices right through the tournament... The IPL brass is working towards a window and I’ve been told something could indeed be done from next year.

Being candid is one of your strengths... At times, does it work against you?
After saying something, I realise I shouldn’t have said it. But the next morning, I get up and say the same thing. (Adds laughing) I can’t hold back. I speak my mind and I speak the truth... My children (Aryan, Suhana) are grown up and I wouldn’t lie to them... When my son’s 21, I wouldn’t like him to tell me that I’d lied... There are certain basic truths in life that we stand by... For example, I’m a Muslim and my (entire) family should know that... I’m not going to force my religion on them, they should love and embrace it, if they so wish... The only time that I may lie is when I don’t want to belittle anybody... That’s the one time I hold back.

The traits you’ve inherited from your late parents...
A lot of things, but patience and a sense of humour is at the top... If you don’t have patience, then you aren’t going to lead a happy life... As for having a sense of humour, it helps you deal with a lot of problems.

Finally, do you have long-term plans or are you actually a spur-of-the-moment man?
I don’t plan and I’m very disorganised... I do whatever I feel like doing at any given moment...

Shahrukh Khan goes purple: Is he superstitious?

IPL 3 has commenced and Shahrukh khan is again all charged up about his team Kolkata Knight Riders. However, unlike the previous two editions, where his team jersey was a gold-n-black one, this time, SRK has gone purple. Since, the previous 2 seasons hadn’t seen great feats from KKR (who landed on the bottom rung in the last season), tongues are wagging that it’s superstition that has germinated this colour-changing decision on SRK’s mind.

However, dismissing these reports, SRK quips, “If I were superstitious, I would’ve changed it after the first year itself. I heard that the Indian team is superstitious, but I’m not. What is important for me is that the harder I work, the luckier I feel. We don’t want to depend on luck, but have a change of attitude.”

So, what made him zero in on purple? With a touch of wit that is synonymous with an energetic and enthusiastic Shahrukh, the ‘King Khan’ cites,

“Dada (Saurav Ganguly, captain of KKR) likes purple; my daughter feels I look good in purple. It’s a conspiracy between Dada and Juhi. We’ve changed everything. We want to leave everything behind and start afresh. Also, the girls like it. So, we will make money out of it, and the girls will be all on our side.”

And call it luck or destiny or superstition; the beginning has been good. The inaugural match saw KKR coming out victorious against the defenders Deccan Chargers……..

Tweeple go berserk during Knight Riders match

The Twitterland was abuzz with excitement as ‘tweeple’ around the world seemed to be typing at a furious pace during the IPL opener between Deccan Chargers and Knight Riders on Friday.

The IPL was one of the top 10 trending topics on Twitter.
While some people updated their tweets after every ball, there were others who tweeted sporadically. As the fortunes kept fluctuating, the tone and tenor of the reactions were also changing.

KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan was uncharacteristically quiet but his best friend Karan Johar was unstoppable. “Sending out victory energy to KKR!!! Rock it guys!!...this is your season all the way!!!”,

“Come on knight riders!!!!!”, “Victory on its way!!!” were some of his tweets. After the match, he asked, “Where is SRK tonight ? No tweets not in stadium !! Congrats to him on win though! His name is KHAN and he is a ROCKSTAR!!! Way to go!!!”

Support poured in for Shah Rukh after KKR’s win with celebs, including Shilpa Shetty, congratulating him. “Its been long Shahrukh hoping to c a smile on ure face!!playin well,fingers crossed. Congrats KKR! Well desrved:) yay yay,” she said. Other celebrities congratulating SRK were Shahid Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Ritesh Deshmukh.

Shah Rukh tweeted only after the win: “yippeeeeee.finally got to see my kids & the boys in kkr smiling. inshaallah the smiles will continue. still miles to go. but we will get there.”