SRK Khantastic

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Double jeopardy

All the shows of Shah Rukh Khan's world tour, Temptation Reloaded 2008, in Germany and Spain have been cancelled. Now, only one show will take place in Dubai

Kunal M Shah / Vickey Lalwani
Shah Rukh Khan's ambitious world tour Temptation Reloaded 2008, which was supposed to commence on October 18 is in jeopardy.

Although a few weeks ago it seemed like SRK has yet another winner in his hands with some of the biggest Bollywood stars like Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padukone and Arjun Rampal agreeing to be part of his much anticipated world tour, things are not the same anymore.

Now, SRK is in a tight spot as the promoter of the Germany show has breached the contract. Consequently, the shows in Germany and Spain have been cancelled. However, the last show in Dubai, which was to take place on October 25, will take place.

A source said, "It is a big disappointment for SRK. In fact, industry insiders had labelled this tour as SRK's answer to Amitabh Bachchan's Unforgettable Tour. But now, SRK will have to be content with only one show in Dubai."

When contacted, Karim Morani (director of the Temptation Reloaded 2008 tour) sent us a text message, which read, "Red Chillies Entertainment Limited (SRK's production house) announces with great regret that they will be unable to facilitate the three city tour of Temptations Reloaded 2008 in Germany (in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt).

This is due to the breach of contract by the promoter of the shows Sensasian Media Limited. They did not fulfill their obligation in due time which makes it impossible for the shows to take place in Germany."

What does 'did not fulfill their obligation' mean we asked? "Well, there was a violation of several clauses, including non-payment of dues," Karim explained.

But, why has the Spain leg of the Temptation Reloaded 2008 tour also been cancelled? Karim said, "Well, the shows in Germany and Spain were a part of the Europe leg. We can't be going Spain alone. For the time being, it's just Dubai. The shows in Spain may happen at a later date."

And what about rumours that there were some creative differences between SRK and the Moranis? "No way," said Karim.
mumbaimirror.com

Get a piece of SRK!

“I sell dreams, now I’m going to sell reality,” Shah Rukh Khan tells Masala! as he launches SRK Boulevard
by Sonali Raha

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.”
masala.com

Long wait to see Shah Rukh Khan


Bollywood’s biggest star does not disappoint, walking into packed crowd to thank them for support. Addressing the crowd at the Zee Carnival, Shah Rukh Khan said thank you “from the bottom of my heart”, vowing to come back and do a full show “for all you
Some fans came at 9am even before the doors opened at 11am. And they waited till 4pm before India’s biggest star, Shah Rukh Khan, showed up at the Zee Carnival at Suntec City yesterday.
Togged in sunglasses, a light-grey shirt which showed a bit of his toned chest, and black trousers, he went up on stage and danced to the music of his hit film Om Shanti Om’s theme music.
‘You make me feel very loved, very important. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart,’ Khan, 42, said, to loud shrieks from the audience.
The lifestyle event presented by Zee TV, an Indian network, had drawn at least 10,000 people by the evening.
When the actor made an unscripted move by walking into the packed crowd, people went wild.
‘I’ve been working for 20 years and God has been kind to me. Now, I want to meet the people who have made me what I am,’ he said.
That pleased fans like housewife Farah Najria, 23. Together with her mother, aunt, brother, sister and nephew, she had waited at Suntec City since 9am.
‘I didn’t mind waiting, I am such a huge fan. I am happy I have been able to see him,’ she said.
Khan made sure everyone went home happy when he said: ‘It has been a while since I last performed here. I’ll come back and do a full show for all you wonderful people of Singapore.’

After Big B, it is now SRK!

14 Oct, 2008 06:00 am ISTlSmrity Sharma/INDIATIMES MOVIES

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!

Shah Rukh Khan Says My Work Is My Religion


- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant-


Here are the views of King Khan on terrorism, religion and a wide gamut of subject, as published in a leading weekly.
Evil is a religion of its own. There's no such thing as a professional Muslim terrorist. There's just a professional terrorist. Evil has become a discipline, a faith of its own. It does take, after all, a lot of planning to make explosives, do a recce of where to plant them, and then plan a way to escape.

My children are growing up at a time when a new religion has come up, which is morally, ethically and humanely against the tenets of any faith. Fundamentalism itself has become the new religion. And I fear it will take elements from every religion and create a new force if we don't educate our children appropriately.
Every time I read of a bomb blast or watch such an incident on TV, two things strike me. One is good. That those directly affected by the attack never actually blame any particular community. But what disturbs me is this-and it really goes against my most basic belief-that education is the solution to all our problems.
Whenever I read that an educated person is behind a bomb attack, it saddens me. It could be that the degree is only a piece of paper for the person or that education really had no impact on him. It did not shape his intelligence or his mind in the way it should have.
As an Indian Muslim, how do I feel about all this? Well, for one, I would like to believe that my work has become my religion, my defining identity. Yes, when I go to a Muslim area, I am referred to as bhai. But I think even when I visit a Muslim nation, the fact that I have mostly played characters called Rahul or Raj in Hindi films is never an issue.
I have played a major Muslim character onscreen just once in my life, that of Kabir Khan in Chak De! India. I gave him a little beard, made him speak a little more Urdu, and even had a namaz scene in the film that was edited finally for its length. But I don't recall anyone even noticing that.
Just yesterday, I was launching a business venture in Dubai and my hosts were religious Muslims. They wanted to take my entire family on Haj, even my in-laws. Having said that, I do feel belittled or shall I say irritated now that I am frisked a lot more when I travel to America.
Surprisingly though, I feel, as a nation, we have become a lot more tolerant. I remember, when Gauri and I got married almost two decades ago, our religion was an issue for both Hindus and Muslims. Both of us had to give false addresses when we registered our marriage.
And now when I was travelling recently, an air hostess was telling me how she is a Hindu, married to a Muslim in Dubai. I asked her, is that such a big deal? And she said, no, it was just something she wanted to share with me.
Everyone knows I celebrate both Id and Diwali. Yet my wife has never celebrated either in a different or less way. The children do both Id namaz and Diwali puja and mix-and-match all the time with ease.
My only prayer to everyone is that if a nun is raped in Orissa, please don't make it a Christian versus Hindu issue, or if a blast takes place, don't say it is a Muslim versus Hindu matter.
These are killers. Plain and simple. They have no religion. And if they do have an agenda, I would like to say to them, go get another one. Go green, be good to poor people, educate a girl child, or even be kind to animals.
I firmly believe that the country was heading towards a state of equality for all religions till a few people decided they didn't want it to happen. Yes, Hindus and Muslims have had historical problems since the Partition, so have Christians and Muslims since the Dark Ages.
But history is quickly forgotten. I believe modern young Indians need to feel that their work should be their religion and should define them. It will be a more neutral identity, have an international acceptance and will be based on their talent, their mind, and their heart.

RNBDJ PROMOS WITH ROADSIDE ROMEO/GHAJINI WITH GOLMAL RETURNS!MUSIC ON DIWALI

Its going to be a huge Diwali with first promos and music releases of the of the biggest releases of 2008 Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Ghajini. The music of both films will be released around Diwali.

The first teaser of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi will come with the prints of Roadside Romeo while the teaser of Ghajini will be with the prints of Golmaal Returns.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi will be released on December 12th while Ghajini is due on 26th December
filmikhabar.com

Monday, October 13, 2008

Linc signs Shah Rukh Khan as brand ambassador

MUMBAI: Pen manufacturer, Linc Pen,on Monday said that it has appointed Shah Rukh Khan as its brand ambassador.
"We are very proud to have Shah Rukh Khan as our brand ambassador," Linc Pen's Managing Director, Deepak Jalan, said in a press release issued here. Linc has been growing steadily at 20 per cent per annum.
economictimes.indiatimes.com

Karan Johar's My Name Is Khan to go on floors on 15 Dec

MUMBAI: Dharma Productions' Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer -My Name is Khan, which is being directed by Karan Johar will go on floors on 15 December.
The shooting will commence in Los Angeles. The cast of the movie has been finalized and song recording has also begun. The film is about Rizvan Khan (to be played by SRK), who suffers from Aspergers syndrome.

Johar will be going for the final location recce with director of photography Ravi K.Chandran, production designer Sharmishta Roy and costumes designers Manish Malhotra and Shiraz Siddique.

"The message that runs right through the film is in strong support of humanity, which at the end of the day is the only way to rise above any of the cultural or religious differences that continue to engulf us," Johar wrote in his blog.

On the other hand, Dharma Productions' other film Wake Up Sid! starring Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma is likely to go on floors in a couple of days. The movie will be directed by debutant Ayan Mukherji.
businessofcinema.com

Shah Rukh to play superhero Ra, son Aryan dreams up story

Shah Rukh to play superhero Ra, son Aryan dreams up story

Shah Rukh Khan has given the go ahead for a superhero flick aimed at the children’s audience in which he will star himself.

Titled Ra the will be a modern day tale of good versus evil and will see Shah Rukh Khan play a normal Indian father with super human strength. According to a source, the script of the film has been written by Shah Rukh himself after his son Aryan gave him the idea.

Says a source, “Usually he doesn’t meddle with the script or suggest changes. But with this film, he is planning to sit with his team and be part of the script writing. He wants to make sure the film carries his vision from start to end.”

The film will go on the floors once Shah Rukh Khan completes shooting for Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan.

http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archives/17874/shah-rukh-to-play-superhero-ra-son-aryan-dreams-up-story.html

Hot Story: Shah Rukh Khan to retire in 3 years time

We reported a few months ago that Shah Rukh Khan was thinking about moving to Dubai… well his wife Gauri has already started making plans for building Mannat over there.
Says a source, “Shah Rukh knows that his time in Bollywood as an actor is limited. An actor can only go on for so long and with the kind of roles he plays – young romantics – then he will not be able to do that for any longer. He is already getting old. Shah Rukh hopes to retire from films within the next ¾ years after which he will concentrate on production business. Shah Rukh will not make a complete exit from acting but intends to star in at least one film per year, but this will be for his own banner and the role will be of a supporting actor.”
The source continues, “Shah Rukh has already started looking – and it has just been announced – for land in Dubai where he intends to build housing and shopping complexes. It is on this patch of land that Shah Rukh will build his much famous abode Mannat. He has already told his wife Gauri to make the plans and get the ideal design created. It has to be identical to Mannat in Mumbai. The Khans are much fond of this house.”
Well there you have it… King Khan is moving away to Dubai. We wish him well!
http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archives/17878/hot-story-shah-rukh-khan-to-retire-in-3-years-time.html

Outcry after Shah Rukh Khan is given Malaysian knighthood

India’s top Bollywood star has been given Malaysia’s equivalent of a knighthood in a move criticised by opposition lawmakers and the public.

Shah Rukh Khan has been conferred with the governor’s award for promoting Malacca state after filming a movie there and for his contribution to the region’s film industry, state officials said in weekend news reports.

The 42-year old heart-throb is among 78 people to get the award in conjunction with the governor’s 70th birthday, alongside the country’s navy chief, academics, artists and journalists.

“He is a well-loved, well-liked celebrity in Malaysia and he has helped develop the huge, income-earning Bollywood movie industry here,” said Mahadzir Lokman, whose events management firm works closely with Indian movie stars here.

“He has also starred in many top Hindi movies filmed on location in Malaysia, which has helped promote the country as a tourist destination,” he told AFP.

“This is one of the main reasons he was conferred this honor,” he added.

His 2001 movie, “One 2 Ka 4″ was filmed at a popular resort in Malacca.

“This resulted in many people visiting Malacca. The award was given in recognition of this,” said Malacca chief minister Mohamad Ali Rustam, according to the Star daily.

But opposition parliamentarian Lim Kit Siang slammed the move, saying he was “astounded” that the governor would choose to honour the Indian actor, who is now entitled to be referred to by the title Datuk.

“Are there no Malaysian film stars, artists or sports-people who have greater (talent) to be honoured and encouraged as compared to Shah Rukh?” Lim said in a statement.

“I don’t think the reason that has been given for making Shah Rukh Khan a Malacca Datuk would impress or convince many that the Bollywood actor-dancer had ‘contributed to our tourism industry’,” he said.

Malaysia has become a popular location for shooting Indian films, which have a huge following among the ethnic Indians and the majority Muslim-Malays.

Women of all ages — including the wife of deputy prime minister Najib Razak, Rosmah Mansor — are huge fans of the charismatic Shah Rukh, dubbed the “King of Bollywood” here.

Fatimah Tahir, a fan of the star, was stunned at the news.

“I wonder whether Shah Rukh Khan even knows where Malacca is,” she told the newspaper.
http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archives/17920/outcry-after-shah-rukh-khan-is-given-malaysian-knighthood.html

Salim and Sulaiman talk about Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi music

Salim of the Salim-Sulaiman music jodi speaks to Sandhya Iyer on the highly anticipated Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and how background music will always remain their first love
Melody is their middle name and with rich Sufi and Arabic influences, Salim-Sulaiman are undoubtedly one of the most interesting composers on the music arena at the moment.
You’ve always been choosy about the work you take on, but you have four high-profile films coming up, including Roadside Romeo, Fashion, Aashayein and the biggest of them all, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. It must be an exciting time for both of you….
Yes, we’ve always selected films with care. We take on about five films a year but itself amounts to a lot. Every film has about six songs which makes it 30 songs in a year. That’s a lot of work. As for the above films, they weren’t supposed to release in such quick succession. Roadside Romeo got postponed a bit, Aashayein was also delayed because of distribution issues. Fashion was pre-poned. The only film release as per schedule is Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.
How different was it composing music for an animation film like Roadside Romeo?
The thing is that even though this is an animation film, it has been treated like a proper Hindi film. The only difference is that this has dogs as characters. We wanted to keep the ‘Indianness’ intact and at the same time keep it kid-friendly and modern. The whole idea was to have songs that are simple, urban…lot of repetitive hooks. We never imagined there would be so much detailing involved in the film.
You have been the ‘go-to’ guys where background music is concerned. But over the last few years, your jodi has found much success with music composing. So will background music be taking a backseat now?
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.
Background music has not really got its due in Hindi films…Not anymore. With our films like Bhoot and so on, people do realise what it can achieve for your script.
Your success record as music composers has been very impressive… there’s been Dor, Chak De India, Kaal, Aaja Nachle – all very credible music. You must be happy with your track record..
Yes, we’ve mostly been successful, even though some of our films didn’t do well commercially. Like Aaja Nachle — even with a certain charm – was a very rushed product. I think Madhuri (Dixit) had given fixed dates and they had to finish the film in the stipulated time. The story was not locked. So both the production and the story were happening at the same time. There was really no time for much brainstorming or detailed planning. We too didn’t know the story…we were only given the idea. This was in sharp contrast to what happened in Chak De India. There, Shimit (Amin) narrated the whole script to us and at the end of it, I was so moved. Everything requires planning, so even though Aaja Nachle was a good enough film, I felt it had something missing in it.
Any film you regret taking up?
Chain Khuli Ki Main Kuli. I’m not very happy with that. We did it for a friend, Ken Ghosh but at the end of it, we felt we could have easily passed that film. Again, Neil ‘N’ Nikki didn’t do well commercially, but the songs were a hit –so we don’t feel bad about that one.
Fashion’s music is doing well, especially, Jalwa…
Madhur (Bhandarkar) was very open about the kind of music he wanted. Besides Jalwa…, there’s also Mar Jawan which is good – it has a lot of Arabic touches. After Fashion, there will be Rab Ne…which will be the icing on the cake.
Yes, fans have been dying to know what you’ve have done with Rab Ne…
All I can say is that the songs are very different. They have a rustic quality to them. There’re 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. 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’
Did he immediately approve the tunes you came up with?Yes, a couple of songs he liked instantly. There were some others which he felt we could work on more or give him more options. It was not a struggle at all.
So when is the music expected to release?
We’re looking at releasing it on Diwali day. I’m sure Adi has planned for something big.
What are your next few films?
We have Leena Yadav’s Teen Patti, Soham’s Luck, Shimit Amin’s next with Ranbir and Rensil D’Souza’s next starring Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan
http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archives/17924/salim-and-sulaiman-talk-about-rab-ne-bana-di-jodi-music.html

The other side of King Khan

Shoma A. Chatterji, TWF, Bollywood Trade News Network
By the time this appears for readers, the Great Khan will have come back from Singapore where he went to visit the ZEE Carnival on October 11 and 12. It was easier to catch him from Changi airport in Singapore than it is to nail him down in India. Shah Rukh Khan, the unquestioned Badshah of Bollywood, opened out a side of him not easily seen in film glossies. This quote-centred profile offers a glimpse of this mega successful star, producer, television anchor and businessman, son of the late Meer Taj Mohammed Khan and Lateef Fatima, whose greatest regret in life is that his parents are no more around to share his success. Our correspondent offers us a glimpse about the same. Did you know that Shah Rukh Khan finished reading Gregory David Roberts' 'Shantaram' much before the book hit Indian bookstores and recommended it to some of his producer friends? 'I asked them if they would want to make a film based on the book but there was no response. Now Hollywood has taken it,' says the star whose home library has a collection of more than 5000 books of which there are at least three he wants to turn into films. 'The other two I have really enjoyed are Mark Haddon's murder mystery - 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' and Yann Martel's fantasy adventure 'Life of Pi'. Right now, my reading priorities are focused on biopics about people who have led interesting lives.' Now look who is talking. He has led and is leading one of the most interesting lives himself on planet earth. His face is an icon that represents the Indian film industry in the world. But he began small, with a bit of theatre in Delhi followed by not very significant roles in a few television serials like 'Fauji' in 1988 followed by 'Circus'. Few remember that he wooed his wife Gauri for eight years before they tied the knot 17 years ago. 'Gauri has known me for almost 25 years now and she understands me perfectly. I would not call her my pillar of strength simply because we have not known life separate from each other. What has sustained the relationship is the tremendous faith we have in each other. I have never looked inside her purse or even glanced into her wardrobe,' says Khan who turns 43 next month with an acting roster that goes beyond 60 films seven being his own productions. His roles have been a veritable rainbow of colours ranging from the psychopathic killer in DARR and ANJAAM to the star incarnate in OM SHANTI OM to the sickeningly melodramatic adopted son in KHABIE KHUSHI KABHIE GAM to the stern but determined Kabir Khan in CHAK DE. 'I am a lot like the no-nonsense hockey coach Kabir Khan in CHAK DE minus that stern stuff,' he confides. Though he admits that the Indian film industry has a lot to learn from Hollywood 'In terms of organisation, technology and its distribution network, the stories are right here with us, in Bollywood. Our fantasies are attainable. Our fantasies are smaller. They are about having a house, perhaps a small car. We are not bothered about aliens,' obviously referring to Hollywood blockbusters like DEEP IMPACT and INDEPENDENCE DAY. And he has every right to make this statement because most of his fantasies sell extremely well both in the national and in the international market. OM SHANTI OM (2007) produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, his own production house, was the highest grossing Hindi film last year earning $45 million across the world. Some of the biggest hits in Bollywood over the past 10 years have Shah Rukh starring in them. Among these are - DIL TO PAGAL HAI (1997), KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI (1998), KABHIE KHUSHI KABHIE GAM (2001), CHAK DE (2007) and OM SHANTI OM (2007.) He is all praise for choreographer-director Farah Khan who choreographed that famous chhaiyan chhaiyan number on top of a moving train in Mani Ratnam's DIL SE and went on to direct Shah Rukh in MAIN HOON NA (2004) and OM SHANTI OM. 'Women directors have a typical approach towards making films. They are sensitive and emotional. But Farah has gone for sheer entertainment and has the balls to make films precisely the way men make films and I respect her for that,' he says. Things he will never do on screen are - riding a horse and kissing a girl. 'I am extremely shy of women and perhaps that is why I romance them so well when we are just playing make believe characters on screen,' is his surprising comment. 'I have been fortunate to have worked with some of the most beautiful and talented women in Indian cinema and at least half of my success goes to their credit. They have contributed to my dance numbers and to my appearance by teaching me how to look good. I am what I am because of what they have helped me to become,' says Shah Rukh with a modesty that belies the public image his publicity machinery as carefully constructed for him over the years. Incidentally, he is pairing opposite the heroine with who he has made fine screen chemistry in every film - Kajol. The shooting of Karan Johar's MY NAME IS KHAN with Kajol as his leading lady is scheduled to begin next year. He now has his sights fixed to the release of his current under-production RAB NE BANA DI JODI opposite 18-year-old model Anushka Sharma. He hates to talk about his back problem caused by his grueling work schedules that demanded the insertion of a titanium disc into his spine for prolapsed disc in 2004. May be that is what stops him from riding a horse for his roles in films. 'What is the point of giving thousands of my fans who love and adore me so much something that they might needlessly worry about? Why should I burden them with a little pain I should be able to cope with myself?' he asks, rhetorically. He prefers to remain silent about documentaries made on his life, books written on him and the unceasing number of awards that keep flowing in. Because, in his opinion, 'None of this would have been possible without help of my co-stars.' Do you know what Shah Rukh means? It means 'face of the king.' This is one 'king' who hosts television shows with a grace so natural that it charms you and takes you by surprise at the same time. It is the same man who tamed his unruly lock of thick black hair with a mix of homemade glue and water when he began his career in films. This is one 'king' who loves to dote on son Aryan, 11, and daughter Suhana, 8, who think 'I am the best dad in the world because they do not have much of a choice.' Shah Rukh insists that he never crosses a red light, and is a law-abiding citizen. But after this, he lights up his cigarette, unable to stick to this new law of not smoking.

http://www.glamsham.com/movies/features/08/oct/13-feature-the-other-side-of-king-khan-100815.asp

Priyanka joins SRK for Nokia!

October 13, 2008 12:50:06 PM IST
Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

With the competition hotting up in the mobile sector, market leaders Nokia had gone in for Bollywood's global superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, as its corporate brand ambassador. Based on a steady stream of ads, both in the broadcast and print media, the surge in their already buoyant sales was there for one and all to see. However, it now appears that Nokia is not going to let the competitors rest in peace and have now roped in King Khan's DON co–star Priyanka Chopra too. As per sources, Nokia have gone in for Priyanka Chopra mainly to connect with the young and those consumers who want their sets to be stylishly attractive, like Priyanka! Well, we are quite sure that the DON team of SRK and Priyanka will help consolidate and strengthen Nokia's position at the top further.