International Conference "Shah Rukh Khan and Global Bollywood " in Vienna

Vienna - The long period of ignorance is over, the amused Zurkenntnisnehmens also , and more or less the fashion trend that began a few years ago - now is the phenomenon of Bollywood simply perceived as what it is: in number of titles produced perhaps the greatest cultural machine measured the global film world. A multi-day conference at the Institute for Cultural and Social Anthropology, University of Vienna will now take the phenomenon more closely

The approach is via the direct the film industry also , because Bollywood is also the basis for various forms of Popular culture - clothing styles , dance , music , jewelry design or Residential design - the widespread global and local are always different designed to be : It seems not just a movie division , but a lifestyle to act. Scientific research Bollywood therefore considered from different theoretical Perspectives: from the media or in art theory context of global culture and postcolonialism , but also from research post -colonial dynamics and new artistic practices, diaspora  and migration, and trans- cultural processes of social and economic perspective.

In the center: The Star

The Vienna Conference "Shah Rukh Khan and Global Bollywood " is the first  Conference that the focus and starting point of the discourse focused on the most popular actors of the Stars for a system that heavily on Bollywood. It recognized the fact Account that the star of the central icon of the globalization of Bollywood represented in the last ten years , both in the Indian  Diaspora and for the Western audience. Shah Rukh Khan embodies in his films often a combination of Opposites - such as between Indian identity and cosmopolitanism Tradition and modernity, between different religions or Masculinity and femininity , it offers Identification of opportunities for different identities in different cultural contexts.

The opening lecture of the conference holds the film theorist Nasreen Munni Kabir , director of the documentary " The Inner and Outer World of Shah Rukh Khan. " Overall, the conference will focus on more than 40 scientists , filmmakers and representatives of Film industry in Asia , Europe, the USA and Canada dedicated to the Indian mega- star and assistance of his film culture. In addition to workshops and film screenings (a documentary about Mehru Jaffer Austrian fans of Shah Rukh Khan and the " first Austrian Bollywood Film "by Sandeep Kumar ), there is also an exhibition on Shah Rukh Khan & Fan culture at the Institute Social Anthropology . To conclude the event, a Bollywood Party completes the LOOP ( Stadtbahnbogen 26/27) from the program. ( red )

Source: http://derstandard.at/1285199593406/Phaenomen-Bollywood-Die-groesste-Kulturmaschine-des-Planeten

SRK’s cop troubles

Shah Rukh Khan is leaving for Berlin around October 10 to shoot Farhan Akhtar's Don-2.

The actor is likely to be away for nearly 45 days at a stretch. And he is being accompanied by his favourite girl Priyanka Chopra.

What's of interest this time around is that unlike in the earlier Don, when cops of 11 countries were chasing the Don, in this sequel, the film-makers have the police force of 132 countries chasing the Bollywood Badshah.


Read more: SRK’s cop troubles - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/SRKs-cop-troubles/articleshow/6651653.cms#ixzz1109DmVhB

in reference to:

"Shah Rukh Khan is leaving for Berlin around October 10 to shoot Farhan Akhtar's Don-2. The actor is likely to be away for nearly 45 days at a stretch. And he is being accompanied by his favourite girl Priyanka Chopra. What's of interest this time around is that unlike in the earlier Don, when cops of 11 countries were chasing the Don, in this sequel, the film-makers have the police force of 132 countries chasing the Bollywood Badshah."
- SRK’s cop troubles - The Times of India (view on Google Sidewiki)

Don’t question my intelligence: SRK

SRK ke affair ki story mein ek byte communal harmony ka bhi chala do is how stars' perspectives on national issues are treated, says SRK, which is why he doesn't always say what he thinks. Except, of course, to TOI

Last week, the Mumbai police asked cine stars to appeal to people to maintain communal harmony as the Babri verdict approaches. You've spoken earlier – after Emraan Hashmi's press conference on not getting a house in Mumbai – and you'd said that you have a point of view, but you're defensive about expressing it because a) it's always misinterpreted, and b) the media doesn't take a stand. Today, if approached for bytes on communal harmony, are you willing to go beyond the one-liners?
Perhaps we should not be taken very seriously because we are film stars. You don't go to every engineer or doctor to take his viewpoint on communal harmony. The contrary argument to this is – oh, but you guys are public figures! My contrary argument is, we are public figures to the extent that we are entertainers. Beyond that, if there is an issue that I want to talk about, it may be personal, it may be women's education, I'll say it. You don't have to take it seriously, but if I felt it, I said it. If somebody takes it seriously, wonderful.

But I do feel that the line between how seriously we can take movie stars is rather fuzzy; we ask every movie star to talk about a national issue – whether it's the games, a cricket match, communal harmony, using contraceptives, polio vaccines... And on the same hand, we ask them some really silly things too. By virtue of subjecting a profession to two diverse thoughts – arre, bataiye, aap ne toh wahaan badi badtameezi ki thi, aap to sharab pi kar danga karte hain, humne suna hai ki aap ne toh... – you get a little schizophrenic. Am I someone who should talk about a larger issue in the overall interest, or am I someone who is just meant to be doing tomfoolery?

Yeah, the last time you spoke on this, you said, I'm just a dumb, vulgar star, why should I have an opinion?
Yeah, so why do I have to answer all this... so you are always in two minds when something like this is said. There are days when you feel, I'm not gonna speak, yaar. Because with the stage and the time of the work that you are doing, you reach a point when you cross just personal satisfaction. Then you think, I'll do this because cinema will look better. Of course you want your films to do well, but at some point you also begin doing it with a thought beyond just the BO returns.

But people only weigh it like that – that you can't think beyond your next film's future. That makes me go back to a thought – films and filmmakers and actors are part of a strange art form, which is only measured by the yardstick of commerce. So it's a dichotomy; it'll always be so. Ki hum artists hain, lekin jab tak woh painting biki nahi ek crore ki, tab tak hum bade artist nahin hain. It's a strange thing, that you are weighed purely by commerce, while you are artistic by thought and belief. So sometimes, the question is put to you as an artistic person, about national interest. And you're like, haan, main artist hoon, main aapse is baare mein bolta hoon. Suddenly, it's a commercial question – and you go, arre, yeh kahan se aaya... It's a fait accompli, an occupational hazard, and I'll never be able to resolve it.

So when someone says to me, speak about communal harmony, I will say – yeah, I believe in communal harmony, in my house there's communal harmony. I believe my nation is truly secular, I truly believe that. So I will talk about it. And on the same platform, like you were just pointing out the contradiction, someone will ask me – toh aapka six pack aa gaya? So you're like... how do I answer something on communal harmony and on six packs in the same breath? So you're, like I said, schizophrenic. You know you're playing two parts simultaneously, and so on days, you try to avoid playing at least one of them.


I don't know if people understand, from the outside, the dichotomy of questions that we are subjected to, ki bhai, kya poochh rahe ho same breath mein? You don't ask the other part to national leaders, you never ask them a frivolous question. And just because we entertain, by jumping and doing fight scenes and dancing, it does not make us... it takes a lot of intellect to do the silly things that we do on screen to convince a billion people that this is true. It takes a lot of intellect to be able to convince people to believe in fantasy – but people don't seem to be able to recognize that.

Like, Walt Disney wasn't a cartoon...
Absolutely. Walt Disney is not a cartoon. He is genuinely, internationally, the longest lasting phenomenon. You don't laugh at him when you see his face and say, he's Mickey Mouse. He's not Mickey Mouse – he's the creator of dreams. And some dreams are funny, some are silly, some are sweet – that does not make the creator any of those things, it just makes him very imaginative. It makes him versatile.

I like talking when people ask me sensible questions. Ask me senseless questions also, but in a context, and I can have fun, I can make you laugh at my answers. But it should not be that you are just doing it for a purpose which is so transparent, and you are questioning my intelligence by asking me a question like that; ask me a question, but don't question my intelligence. That's what it comes down to, many times. Come with a question, but don't come with a motive behind a question. But... you live with it. You do get irritated also, at times... maybe that is why people are taking to more social networking stuff. They are actually moving away. That is why you may find in the long run that the fastest information, the most important information, finally, all celebrities will end up giving through their own channel – be it a book, a blog, Twitter, XYZ. If I'm not talking about a topic on my channel, it means I don't want to talk about it. I'm very clear now, for example, I don't talk about religion. If somebody asks me a question, I usually won't answer, because what I say hurts people. So, it's like, sorry, now you can't have my views on religion, publicly, because you don't know how to appreciate it, because it causes too much strife.

Transmission losses?
Ya, ya, it all gets... in fact, in some time, I'm gonna take a position that I will not answer questions about co-actors. Ask me about my film, my work, my job, my stuff – good. Bas.

So if it is about your suit in " Ra.One", or the six packs, the pop answers, you will answer anyone, but if it is about something that you actually think about, like religion, you won't take a public platform, won't share it?
No, I won't share it. Not with the popular media. I don't think they're even interested in knowing. I doubt if there is any real interest. It is like – aap bol dijiye na, thoda sa bol dijiye communal harmony pe... matlab? It's like advertising. They just want me like someone who is selling that thing right now. Thoda sa bol do na... Shah Rukh ka affair ka story chala denge, toh uske andar ek yeh bit bhi aa jayega communal harmony appeal ka. I think a lot of actors and right thinking people will be perplexed by that, won't they?

You've stuck to that line, of not commenting on issues of social relevance?
Yeah, I don't think movie stars are nationally relevant – it's as simple as that. Or, are thought to be not relevant enough to speak in the national interest, on national issues, without it turning out to be a full blown controversy. We are not supposed to have an opinion. If we have an opinion, it has to be controversial – that is how we are always projected. It is difficult. I do have my opinions, in a private room, and I like to share them, and I do like to figure out if they are correct or wrong; I am an open, 'discussive' kind of person, but it is so unfortunate that today, I am so worried about saying anything – can't even say anything nice about the city (Delhi) ki bhai kisi aur city ko bura na lag jaaye! I may say things with the right intention, but more often than not, people will misconstrue it.

I couldn't help overhearing you talking to friends about the question of money-making in projects of national relevance, before we began this interaction...
If anyone is working on something in the national interest – even if there is this human nature, that I would like to earn because I am working the hardest in this activity, or whatever, if you feel you are not being paid enough for it as per your efforts, say so, make a clear-cut demarcation about these things. But be clear, whatever I am doing in the national interest, for a public activity, at least 51 per cent should go to the nation, I can look to make 49 per cent from it. It cannot be that 99 per cent I make and give 1 per cent to the nation! You need to give back. And when I say give back, I am not being idealistic, I'm a material guy, I'm a businessman, I'm a f****** rock star! Okay, maybe I shouldn't be talking like that, but the point I'm making is that, if I'm ever asked to do something in the national interest, do a project of national relevance, it's not as if I will not charge for it, but I will ensure that what I give back is not just worth that money, but is a little more than that. It should not be just value for money, it should be a little more than value for money. If you are in a business, your personal venture, take 100 per cent profit, take 500 per cent profit by all means, but if you are working on a national project, the objective cannot be to take back a 500 per cent profit. If somebody is working very hard, or deserves a lot of money, pay him upfront, say he is going to be working for so much time, he deserves it – and then put the rest of the money where it should go. But unfortunately, that sort of transparency is rarely there.

In that context – Rahman being paid 5 crore for the games song, which is widely seen to be a fiasco. Do you think this is an instance of delivering more than a little value for money, as you say, or is it that when politicians and bureaucrats commission something, even a Rahman ends up delivering a sarkari output?
Uh... you see, yaar, creativity has this problem, sometimes it'll be liked, sometimes it won't. It's unfortunate that perhaps we expected something more popular from this music, and it isn't that. See, this is very subjective. You will find enough people who like that also, I think. But perhaps one has decide at some level to take the Commonwealth Games and say, everything is wrong. Ek predisposed idea ho gaya hai – Commonwealth hai, sab kuch kharab hai. Paani aa gaya, dengue aa gaya, traffic aa gaya, yeh ho gaya, woh ho gaya... sab kuch galat hai. Ek wrong footing par aa gaya hai games, and the song is also caught up in that.

Also, I think the whole spectacle is a reflection of how little we appreciate sporting events in our country. We as it is are quick to demean it, and of course all these recent controversies in cricket etc are not helping it either. It's a slightly grey area for us.

A Bollywood superstar, brand ambassador for a state, a little later is brand ambassador for another state with a completely different political ideology...?
You can see it one way, I see it the other way, like I am affiliated to, say, Pepsi. If I leave Pepsi, and later Coke tells me to do something for them, I'd do it. I have no issues, whether Coke and Pepsi have different ideologies or not. See, I'm called for a job, I'd do it. I used to endorse a computer company; they don't use me any more, for the last one and half years. There's another computer company that just called me, and I said of course I'll do it. Of course I believe both the companies are good at their job. And I believe it is my job to tell people about what the good points of either company are. I'm not lying in either case.

If I'm called to launch the Delhi Eye, I'll say okay, I'll come, I was excited by the London Eye, so if there's something like that opening here, and I'm called, I'll come. Tomorrow if I'm called to launch the Chennai Eye, I'll go and do it, or the Bhopal Eye, or the Lucknow Eye. There's no political line, as far as I see it.

Read more: Don't question my intelligence: SRK - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6651561.cms?prtpage=1#ixzz1107oYnQw

Shah Rukh keen for some Khichdi

The team, which like the actor, started out with a TV serial, was keen on getting his blessings for their film Khichdi–the movie.

The team of the upcoming film Khichdi, based on the popular TV show of the same name, is thrilled that Shah Rukh Khan has finally responded to their numerous requests to meet.

The Khichdi team, which like King Khan began tis journey with TV, has been chasing the superstar to get his blessings. They wrote a letter to the superstar to grace them with his blessings. Even the first look of the film was launched in front of Shah Rukh's mansion, Mannat.

A source informs, "The team of Khichdi is excited that they will be meeting SRK. The meeting is happening at Kamalistan and the whole team of the film will be present including the producer JD Majethia and the cast Anang Desai, Rajeev Mehta and Supriya Pathak."

The elated producer Majethia confirms, "Oh yes, we are meeting Mr Khan at Kamalistan. We had written him a letter.

We have been sending him messages through various channels that we would really like to meet him and get his blessings and we are glad that he has agreed to meet us despite his busy schedule." JD adds, "Shah Rukh's heart is very big. We are glad that he is fulfilling our wish. And his timing is perfect."

The producer informs that the whole team of Khichdi will be meeting Shah Rukh. When asked about Farah Khan, who is supposedly not on good terms with Khan and has done a cameo in the film, JD quips, "We don't know about Farah. We will ask her." Convenient.

Talking about his expectation from the meeting, JD adds, "We are hoping to get his blessings. We are inviting him to watch the film with a promise that he will be in splits for two hours."

Read more: Shah Rukh keen for some Khichdi - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6656484.cms?prtpage=1#ixzz1105wyYFO

Shahrukh Khan is wanted by the police of 132 countries

'Don ke peeche to 11 mulko ki police lagi hai, magar Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai.' That's the dialogue we all remember from Farhan Akhtar's film Don, starring Shahrukh Khan. But for Don 2 this dialogue will change to Don ke peeche to 132 mulko ki police lagi hai because the film which brings back SRK as the sly and clever don is going to be more dangerous and stylish.

Ask Shahrukh why this big leap in the sequel of Don, he quips, "Times have changed so now I have police from many more countries behind me." Ironically, the star himself is scared of policemen.

To be directed by Farhan Akhtar, the sequel will retain its original cast of Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani, and will include some new names like Lara Dutta, Sameera Reddy and Kunal Kapoor. The film will go on floors in October and will be shot extensively in Berlin.

It's learnt that SRK will also beef up for his role in the film. Shirtless Shahrukh, anytime!

Source: http://www.apunkachoice.com/content/article/sid100003453-shahrukh_khan_is_wanted_by_the_police_of_132_countries/

Shah Rukh is really worshipped across the country

Women adore Shah Rukh Khan as no actor is as charming and mesmerizing as SRK. The actor has the gift of the gab and can keep you arrested in his conversations, no matter what he speaks! Even Deepika Padukone once admitted, "Everytime I meet Shah Rukh, I think of telling him several things but the moment he starts talking I just listen!" Theatre actor, filmmaker and writer Makrand Deshpande has zeroed in on SRK's magnetic appeal to women as the subject of his forthcoming film. "Every time I speak to Shah Rukh, I keep listening to him as he is gifted as a talker. He leaves you glued to him when he speaks. I thought if this happens to men, what must be happening to his female fans and that's when it struck me that I should make a film on how the actor's magic works on his female fan. My film is titled 'Shah Rukh Bola Khoobsurat Hai Tu'. The film is a tale of a girl who sells flowers on traffic signals. She considers superstar Shah Rukh as her god and a chance meeting with him at the signal where he compliments her saying, "Khoobsurat Hai Tu" changes her life forever. Her day is made and thereafter, her love for Shah Rukh actually changes her fate" revealed Makrand. Highlight being, SRK has played a cameo in the film too. Denying news that Shah Rukh is hesitant to do cameos of late Makrand added, "In India we make gods out of actors and SRK is god to many. Though Shah Rukh has shot for just one scene, since that was a requirement, we have many dream sequences of him throughout the film. He was so sweet that he told me, he will get his own camera and that I shouldn't spend too much of money. He kept telling me to add scenes, retakes if I want to as he can do more than was briefed to him." Makrand signed off saying, "Shah Rukh is really worshipped across the country. Be it the Chak De girls or the women who faint every time he speaks to them, SRK is god in every sense and he appears like one in my film. He is omnipresent and thus plays more than a cameo." Source: http://movies.indiatimes.com/news-gossip/news/Shah-Rukh-is-worshipped-just-like-Rajinikanth-/articleshow/6652506.cms

Shahrukh Khan's Dhaka Show's Date Fixed

Shahrukh Night in Dhaka will be held in 10'th December at Dhaka Army Stadium. Date was confirmed by chairman of Antor Showbiz Mr. Sapan Chowdhary few day's ago.

Preety Zinta, Rani Mukharjy, Arjun Rampal, Malaika Arora and the musician Niraj Sridhor will also come with Shahrukh.

Sapan Chowdhary said "We are trying to bring SRK in Dhaka from long time. And now the dream come true. Already all kind of arrangement is done and all kind of permission is taken. Now we are talking with the sponsor companies."

He also said "Ticket price will be around 5 thousand and show time will be 6 hour. Ticket will be found from the middle of October. Almost 20,000 people can watch the show in Army Stadium".

Shahrukh Khan will come to Dhaka at 9'th December and he will leave 11'th December morning.

Source: http://www.youthsparks.com/movies/national/news-article/shahrukh-khan-s-dhaka-show-s-date-fixed.html

Shah Rukh Khan Labels Newspaper Reports As ‘Fiction’

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is the latest victim of the growing celebrity driven media culture in India. Commenting on the recent reports about his lookalike in Salman Khan's show 'Bigg Boss' in the media, Shah Rukh wrote on his Twitter account, "I also read about myself in the morning many times.. mostly when it is with a picture. Starting the day with fiction is fun."

Afraid that he was "slowly becoming a fiction of others imagination", Shah Rukh vented that "incompetence is a genetic disorder", probably referring to the recent reports about him signing up for the next Yash Raj film. Interestingly, the actor has in the past taken recourse to Twitter to falsify reports in the media. However, he accepted that celebs are public property, but added, "Isn't that sad, when you see the state of public properties in India."

Last heard, Shah Rukh Khan was shooting for Ra.One in Mumbai with Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal. The shooting of the visual effects heavy film, shot in Goa, Mumbai and London, is expected to wrap up soon, after which the film will enter the crucial post production stage.

Read more: Shah Rukh Khan Labels Newspaper Reports As 'Fiction' | Koimoi.com

SRK function fails to take off

A function to be attended by Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan has to be called off at the last minute in south Delhi today as organisers "failed" to take prior permission, which led to protests by his fans and a lathicharge by the police.

The cancellation of the function organised at Manoranjan Park in Kalindi Kunj resulted in some tension there and police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse a crowd of around 1,000 people who have assembled there.

The organisers of the function had invited Shahrukh Khan and some other stars for the inauguration of ' Delhi I Ride' programme, a senior police official said.

"They did not take the permission to organise the programme from the Licencing Branch. So we went there and did not allow the function to be held," the official said.

The organisers could not be contacted for their version


Read more: SRK function fails to take off - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6642035.cms?prtpage=1#ixzz10qcDc5iO

SRK back in Yash’s Raaj

Given their recent records, Yash Raj Films (YRF) is now trying to salvage its reputation of being one of the most successful and prestigious production houses in Bollywood. A lot of their recent projects bombed at the box office but they haven't let that dampen their spirits.

After offering Dhoom 3 to Aamir Khan (he will start reading the script around October 15), YRF has now got another box-office winner, Shah Rukh Khan to work on one of its forthcoming films.

The last YRF film with King Khan, which Yash Chopra directed himself, was Veer Zaara (2004), a box office success. The production house is counting a lot on the success of its forthcoming project with the actor. This film will either be directed by YRF head honcho Yash Chopra or his son Aditya.

A source says, "YRF is yet to decide who will direct the Shah Rukh starrer. SRK has very good relations with both, Yashji and Aditya. He has equal faith in both of them. They are like family to him."

And interestingly, it may seem as though SRK has proved lucky for the production house, as most of the films the actor has done with them have been successful at the box office, with the exception of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008).

While the lead actor has been finalised, the position of the heroine opposite Shah Rukh still remains open.

Apparently, the SRK starrer for YRF will go on floors in 2011. So, next year, Shah Rukh, who will start shooting for Farhan Akhtar's Don 2, will thus be shooting for at least two films. This will obviously be quite a change from his usual habit of shooting for only one film a year.

When contacted, the YRF spokesperson said, "We are still working on our slate for the coming year and will make our announcements at the appropriate time on the finalisation

Source: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/30/2010092820100928032429931f08be8f7/SRK-back-in-Yash%E2%80%99s-Raaj.html

Shahrukh Khan back to YRF camp, the film will go on floors in 2011

Shahrukh Khan signed the next film of Yash Raj productions which will go on the floors next year. It's been quite sometime that the combination of SRK and YRF has delivered a hit film in the industry. The recent and the past few projects of the YRF camp has failed to grab the attention of the viewers. Films like Dil Bole Haddipa, Badmaash Company, Lafangey Parindey fell head over heels on the day of its release.

Yash Raj Films (YRF) is now trying bringing back the same reputation of the name which it had and took advantage of it to drive off the rest of the production houses with its film release. It is one of the most renowned and prestigious production houses of the Bollywood industry. The last film of SRK with YRF films was Veer Zaara(2004) which was directed by Yash Chopra himself which was a box office hit. The forthcoming film which Shahrukh has signed with Yash Raj will either be directed by Yash Raj himself or his son Aditya Chopra.

Source: http://ic-technews.com/entertainment/1782-shahrukh-khan-back-to-yrf-camp-the-film-will-go-on-floors-in-2011

Hyundai launches new Next Gen i10 Shah Rukh Khan ad

Hyundai launched their latest and upgraded version of i10 on 23rd September. Rushlane has already posted about the car's features and the upgrades, click here if you would like to read. The new ad is as usual starred by Hyundai's brand Ambassador and Bollywood's King Khan, Mr Shah Rukh Khan.

Though the ad is not that great but Shah Rukh's in it and the car has got enough in it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD39tcxMnA8&feature=player_embedded

Source: http://www.rushlane.com/hyundai-launches-new-next-gen-i10-shah-rukh-khan-ad-128117.html

ShahRukh Mania triggers riot

Fans went berserk at inauguration of amusement park when the actor did not turn up

Shah Rukh Khan is a rage on screen but Monday night's incident at Kalindi Kunj in northeast Delhi proved he could have a similar effect on his fans off screen too.

Hundreds of fans gathered at the inauguration of an amusement park in the area on Monday went berserk when the Badshah Khan failed to turn up for the event. When the crowd swelled and did not heed to police warnings, the cops resorted to light cane charge to control the mob. A man, however, got entangled with a live wire and suffered burns.

The police said apart from that man nobody else was injured in the incident.

"Shah Rukh had to come to inaugurate the Delhi Rides amusement park but the owner did not have police permission to conduct the function. When we came to know about it we cordoned off the area. Though SRK did not turn up actress Malaika Arora Khan came for the event. She also went away after a few minutes and angry fans went on a rampage. The police tried to calm them down and later resorted to light cane charge," said a senior police officer.

He said the owner, Iman Ali Khan, took permission from UP police while he had to inform Delhi Police before organising the inauguration function. Khan refused to comment.

Later at a press conference at a five-star hotel in the city, Shah Rukh said he was sorry that he could not reach the venue. He assured that he would visit the amusement park along with his children "soon". 

Source:http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/sep/280910-Delhi-Shah-Rukh-Khan-amusement-park-inauguration-no-show-fan-riot.htm

SRK a symbol of religious unity: Vienna

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is seen as an icon of religious unity by many the world over and experts will deliberate upon the topic at a three-day conference from Thursday at Vienna University. Titled Shah Rukh Khan and Global Bollywood, the meet will not be attended by the superstar himself, but he has said he feels humbled by the endeavour. Some 40 speakers from universities around the world will discuss a wide range of topics revolving around Shah Rukh who is seen as a global cultural phenomenon. The actor is lauded for playing both Hindu and Muslim characters on screen. Shah Rukh, who is shooting round the clock for Ra.One, said in an e-mail forwarded by Karuna Badwal, executive assistant at his company Red Chillies Entertainment, that he has prior commitments but sends his very best wishes. Adelheid Hermann-Pfandt, professor of Religious Studies at Germany's University of Marburg, told IANS: "One of the most remarkable features of Indian cinema is its inter-religious character." Like many other Europeans, Hermann-Pfandt first experienced the inter-religious oneness of god through a Shah Rukh film. Titled And I Love Hinduism Also, Shah Rukh Khan: A Muslim Voice for Inter-religious Peace in India, Hermann-Pfandt's talk will look at the importance of a public role model like Shah Rukh in the promotion of ideas of unity among human beings within India and abroad. Jaspreet Gill from Canada's York University finds My Name Is Khan remarkable for its positive portrayal of practising Muslims. Bollywood is in the habit of portraying Muslims mostly as stock characters and famous for the cinematic othering of muslims either by demonising them, showing them as exotic or marginalised. In My Name Is Khan, Shah Rukh's character speaks refreshingly of the global relevance of tolerance and understanding of the other, points out Gill. "This positive imaging has led to the film playing to packed theatres in Pakistan which bodes well for an emerging solidarity between India and Pakistan," adds Gill who will elaborate on Shah Rukh's reinvention of the Muslim hero in My Name Is Khan. Huma Dar from Berkeley's University of California sees the film, which was directed by Karan Johar, as a sincere effort to show the plight of those deemed dispensable, less grievable, more precarious, inherently threatening in an era of both permanent wars and undeclared wars on other people, practices, faiths, traditions and languages. Just because Muslim artists in Mumbai no longer take on Hindu names, it might be tempting to conclude that the playing field is level. But the kerfuffle around the film My Name Is Khan is ample evidence that the Muslim name carries a bonus as well as an onus and the two are intimately intertwined, Dar declares. In Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G), Arno Krimmer sees many traits of Lord Rama or the ideal man. This similarity between K3G and the epic Ramayana deserves notice by critics, scholars and audiences alike, argues Krimmer, an Austrian filmmaker who is the first foreign Resident Faculty at Pune's Film and Television Institute of India where he taught screenplay writing. London-based filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir will kick-start the conference with a paper on The Worlds of Shah Rukh Khan at the 19th century building of Vienna's Museum of Ethnology, near the imperial palace. Kabir produced the documentary The Inner and the Outer World of Shah Rukh Khan in 2004. Participants include Rajinder Dudrah, head of the Department of Drama, University of Manchester and author of The Bollywood Reader, and Ashish Rajadhyaksha from Bangalore's Centre for Studies in Culture and Society. To the question why Shah Rukh, Professor Elke Mader, Dean Cultural and Social Anthropology Institute of Vienna University, said: "In German-speaking countries his films have developed a cult media and a very active fan culture. Khan's capacity to negotiate and to integrate opposites and extremes and to connect with diverse audiences worldwide as well as his art of expressing emotions make him not only a superstar but a very significant figure in times of global mediascapes and cultural flows." Anna Mandel, a German sculpture and painter, will exhibit from her work titled Sentiment-SRK, an on-going project that includes the painting of 108 faces of the superstar. Yet another exhibition will display the rich memorabilia collected over time particularly by ardent Shah Rukh fans like Maria-Stella Hinterndorfer. The conference will include two screenings - Kesariya Balam, Austria's first Bollywood style film directed by Sandeep Kumar and Mr Khan Vienna Loves You, a documentary on hardcore Shah Rukh fans in Vienna by Ali Hasnain, a 24-year-old graduate of Vienna's School for Audio Engineering. Source: http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20100154677&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=55454 Read more at: http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20100154677&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=55454&cp

Unruly crowd forces cancellation of SRK event

An unmanageable crowd forced event managers to cancel Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's inauguration of an 18-storey-high giant wheel, called the Delhi Eye, Monday evening.

The star, 44, was supposed to inaugurate the Delhi Eye at the Kalindi Kunj Park here.

"The event has been cancelled due to crowd mismanagement. It was way too panicky to continue with this kind of crowd," a source from the event organising team, said.

A Delhi Police officer said on condition of anonymity: "The event has been cancelled as the crowd was not under control. There were more than 500 people and the crowd was going out of hand, and because of this we even had to go for a lathicharge."

Bollywood item girl Malaika Arora Khan was also scheduled to perform at the launch.

Offering a panoramic view of the Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Lotus Temple, Connaught Place and Nehru Place among other spots in the city, the Delhi Eye has been modelled on the London Eye and the Singapore Flyer. The wheel stands tall at about five metres above the ground with a 50 metre diameter.




Read more: Unruly crowd forces cancellation of SRK event - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Unruly-crowd-forces-cancellation-of-SRK-event-/articleshow/6638855.cms#ixzz10kiWJHlp

‘Delhi Eye’ ride set up in Kalindi Kunj to be inaugurated by Shah Rukh Khan

Modeled on the London Eye and Singapore Flyer, Delhi too has been gifted with a high wheel 'Delhi Eye' that offers a city ride at the cost of Rs. 250 without any traffic snarls. The giant wheel has been set up at an Amusement Park in Kalindi Kunj locality on the banks of Yamuna along the Delhi-Noida border.

The 'Delhi Eye' will see its inauguration on September 27 by Bollwood's King Khan, Shah Rukh and Malaika Arora Khan.  The wheel stands tall at about 5 metres above the ground, with a 50 metre diameter. There are 36 air-conditioned viewer cabins that provide a snapshot of various landmarks such as Connaught Place, Nehru Place, and Lotus Temple.

Tahir Rana, Director, Delhi Ride said Noida too will be visible to the riders. He projects the ride as their USP to attract curious travelers. He also elaborated on the other attractions provided at the amusement cum Water Park. He hoped the 12 levels of slides will add to the entertainment quotient and the giant wheel ride. Rana added that the entry fees are comparatively low as it costs just Rs. 100 on weekdays and Rs. 150 on weekends.

The Park also boasts of a Kid Zone, where the entry fee is kept at just Rs. 25 for all the activities in the zone. Spread across about 3.6 hectares, the land was given on lease by the UP Irrigation Department.


Read more: http://www.ganpatinews.com/2010/09/27/delhi-eye-ride-set-kalindi-kunj-inaugurated-shah-rukh-khan-76495#ixzz10kCotqEA

Khan: 'Indian sci-fi needs to get better'

WENN

Shah Rukh Khan has said that he wants his forthcoming superhero film Ra.One to set a trend for better special effects in Indian sci-fi.

The actor wants to attract a younger audience to the cinema to watch science-fiction, the Hindustan Times has reported.

In an interview with the paper, he said: "I can afford to spend on technology in my films at this point of time, and I feel that those who can, should bring technical advancement.

"Otherwise, we will lose a younger audience. I am attempting that with Ra.One."

Ra.One will see Khan being a flying superhero, who must defeat ten villains in succession.

Source: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/bollywood/news/a278806/khan-indian-sci-fi-needs-to-get-better.html

Chatting up SRK

His hair is perfectly gelled into place, despite the pouring rain. After all, he's a superstar. We've been waiting for an hour, while Shah Rukh Khan wraps up a photoshoot. It's late in the day, but the actor's still beaming. "The rain didn't spoil my hair," he says, as he settles into a chair and looks around, taking in the numerous fans being held at bay by his bouncers.

It seems strange to be sitting with Shah Rukh in a venue that resembles the sets of Devdas — at the entertainment hub Kingdom of Dreams. In fact, the actor seems dressed for the part too — he's wearing a button down shervani.  Can't he imagine Aishwarya Rai running down the grand staircase behind us? "Ha! It's nice if it reminds you of that, Devdas is a good film," he laughs.

The actor's current obsession is his upcoming home production, the Sci Fi film Ra.One. He's still trying to regain the 10 kgs he lost while working on the film. But that comes later, his first priority is getting the film right — after most Bollywood attempts at SciFi have been lambasted for being immature and unbelievable.

"Actually, I thought Koi Mil Gaya was good,  Krrish was nice and Drona was good also," he starts. Really? Even a box office dud like Drona? "Well, in terms of special effects, I mean. We do need to improve our video literacy and learn from new technology. Another problem is that we don't have budgets."

He's the highest tax payer in Bollywood, why would he worry about budgets? "I can afford to spend on technology in my films at this point of time, and I feel that those who can, should bring technical advancement. Otherwise, we will lose younger audience. I am attempting that with Ra.One. My team is all international and their knowledge will hopefully set a trend in action films," he says.

In Delhi on the eve of his father's 30th death anniversary, the actor seems a little pensive, faraway. We ask about his father and a long pause follows. A little while later, we wonder if, perhaps, if he found the subject too personal. "Oh, no," he smiles, "nothing personal, just that it's been so long... I can feel my father around me. I wish they [parents] were there to meet my kids. They would teach them a lot, and love them a lot... a lot more than I do."

As our conversation draws to a close, a few fans gather around us, ready with their cameras. Shah Rukh the star is smiling now, and ready for the cameras too.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Chatting-up-SRK/Article1-604475.aspx

God resides in man's heart, not man-made houses: SRK

It is futile for people to fight over religious monuments, says Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, in an indirect message for peace ahead of the verdict on the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute.

'I hope we Indians realise how difficult it is to build stadiums and respect and so easy to break monuments and disrespect each others' beliefs. I believe that Allah, god, bhagwan, whichever name we pray to the supreme power by, resides in man's heart, not in manmade houses for Him,' Shah Rukh posted on Twitter.

'I mean first our beliefs should take seed and grow in our hearts and then and only then we should manifest that in places of prayer and god,' he added.

A devout Muslim, Shah Rukh married Hindu girl Gauri Chhibber in 1991.

The verdict on the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi title suit case was due to be delivered Sep 24. But now it has been rescheduled for Sep 28.

Source: http://www.bombaynews.net/story/689231

Shahrukh Khan signs THE DARK KNIGHT composer

After signing in singer Akon and Chinese actor Tom Wu for his ambitious project RA ONE (Random Access - Version One), Shah Rukh Khan has roped in music composer Hans Zimmer of THE DARK KNIGHT fame to provide music for the sci-fi film

Wanting his film to be of international standards, Khan spoke to his director Anubhav Sinha who suggested Hans Zimmer's name for the background score. The director then took the help of his contacts and arranged a meeting between Hans and his producer. With time, Hans agreed to come on board.

RA ONE based on gaming, bad guys and super heroes has Khan playing the role of a Gaming Freak who falls in love with Kareena Kapoor. The film has lot of stunts that can be compared to any international film.

Among the films Hans Zimmer has scored music for are films like THE LION KING, GLADIATOR, THE LAST SAMURAI, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN series, THE DA VINCI CODE, THE DARK KNIGHT, SHERLOCK HOLMES and INCEPTION.

Zimmer will charge Rs 2 crore for providing the background score for the film.

Source: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/10/sep/25-shahrukh-khan-signs-the-dark-knight-composer-091015.asp

Shahrukh introduces history of TAG Heuer

Talking about the ad, Shahrukh Khan says, "It's really nice that we are launching the first ever TV ad of TAG Heuer for India. I like the aspect that in one shot, we show how many years have passed, how the invention, the precision and working has changed over the years and made TAG Heuer a legend. I introduce that history in this TVC."

'


Source: http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/features/2010/shahrukh-tag-heuer-history-240910.html

Shahrukh Khan: German blood in Ra. One

SRK has got the sizzling Indian babe Kareena Kapoor as one of the sexiest celluloid mothers ever; he even roped in Akon to sing one of his songs and now the so-called King Khan has, reportedly, roped in the famed German composer Hans Zimmer who has worked on mega hit film like Leonardo's Inception, Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean, The Da Vinci Code, The Dark Knight, Sherlock Holmes, The Lion King, Gladiator and even The Last Samurai.

This will be Zimmer's first tryst with Bollywood who has, hitherto, refused all offers from the B-town to compose for them. Mumbai Mirror reports, "Shah Rukh has roped in a lot of foreign technicians for his sci-fi flick. He wants the film to be of international standards. It was his director Anubhav Sinha who suggested Hans Zimmer's name for the background score. Anubhav took the help of his contacts to arrange for a meeting between Hans and SRK. With time, Hans agreed to come on board."

Shahrukh, of course, is extremely bouncy and animated about his home production 'Ra. One' in which he, for the first time, steps into the skin of a super hero. So, will Zimmer add spark to the film? We would need to wait to see that…..But, no doubt, Ra. One is getting bigger and better…

Source: http://www.newspostonline.com/entertainment/shahrukh-khan-german-blood-in-ra-one-2010092486529

Shah Rukh defends CWG Committee on Twitter

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan has defended the attempts made by the Commonwealth Games Committee on the microblogging site Twitter.

Just days after the actor had tweeted about how religious fanaticism is unreasonable, he posted , "i hope we indians realize how difficult it is to build stadiums & respect & so easy to break monuments & disrespect each others beliefs".

The latter part of the statement referring to the Ayodhya verdict that is yet awaited.

Shah Rukh is not the first celebrity to come forward and express his opinion on the Games, though others have not been as charitable as him.

Recently, Shilpa Shetty tweeted "News that things are falling apart a week before the games begin and how! Athletes are pulling out due to health and safety concerns...just makes me cringe. This could have been a great opportunity to make our country proud. Unfortunately CWG hasn't brought us the pride and honour we thought it would."

Other Bollywood celebs, like Kunal Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Mandira Bedi and Arjun Rampal, have lashed out at the government for its poor organistaion for the sporting event on Twitter as well.

However, SRK is the one of the few celebrities to speak out in favour of the attempts by the committee.

What remains to be seen is if Shah Rukh's support for the games inspires the other celebs to follow suit.

Source: http://movies.ndtv.com/KIFA-Special/StoryPrint.aspx?ID=ENTEN20100154373

SRK to be quizzed by Big B on KBC4?

Shah Rukh Khan has reportedly been approached by Kaun Banega Crorepati to sit on the hot seat and be quizzed by Amitabh Bachchan. The show, which goes on air on Big B's 68th birthday (October 11), had SRK as its host in the third edition. It was widely reported that though the edition was a success, it could not emulate the massive fan frenzy that Amitabh had managed to garner in the first two seasons. After this, the show went off air and then Big B was taken back to be the face of KBC again.

"The channel is very keen to have an episode that would have the two hosts of KBC face to face. They have approached SRK to be a celebrity contestant who will be quizzed by Amitabh. The channel knows that this is what will give them a huge buzz. SRK is undecided. He has good relations with the channel as well as the makers of the show, so it is hugely being anticipated that he might give a nod for this special episode. Everyone has their fingers crossed," says a highly placed source close to the developments of the show.

The informer adds, "Big B's recent conversation about the show with SRK on a social networking site has also garnered interest level in the industry. It was widely said that SRK and Amitabh became close friends a couple of years back thereby rubbishing rumours of their ego clashes that had made headlines for years. So, this cordial relation with Bachchan might as well be the lubricant for SRK to also say a yes to the format. It will get the channel the TRP that it cannot imagine."

Officials of the channel, on conditions of anonymity, confirmed that SRK has indeed been approached for KBC and that they are awaiting a response from him soon.

Source: http://movies.indiatimes.com/news-gossip/news/SRK-to-be-quizzed-by-Big-B-on-KBC4/articleshow/6625133.cms

IPL: KKR appoint Venky Mysore as CEO

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Venky Mysore, as the team's new Chief Executive Offficer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD). Mysore has an experience of over 25 years working in the financial sector.

"As managing director, he will take full responsibility for the operations of the franchise and become a member of the board," a statement from the IPL franchise said.

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, the principal owner of KKR, said that the appointment of Mysore will help the franchise towards "our vision for building a world class franchise".

"I feel that the time has come to take the KKR franchise to the next level and work towards globalising the sport and professionalising the franchise. The experience and skill sets that Venky brings will help us work towards our vision for building a world-class franchise," Shah Rukh said.

KKR co-owner Jay Mehta said the new CEO not only brings wealth of professional experience but also passion for cricket, having played university cricket.

"I am thrilled to have this opportunity of working with the entire KKR organisation, which has demonstrated the passion for the game, strong commitment to the sports loving community and a desire to professionalise the franchise," said Mysore, who was till recently the India Country Head of Sun Life Financial, Canada.

source: http://cricketnext.in.com/news/ipl-kkr-appoint-venky-mysore-as-ceo/50745-13.html

Shahrukh Khan comes to Dhaka in December

Widely known as 'King Khan,' Bollywood superstar Shakrukh Khan will be in Bangladesh to perform at a show. Event management group Ontor Showbiz is

going to arrange the show, says a news release.

Shahrukh Khan is supposed to arrive in Dhaka on December 9. The show will be staged on December 10 and he will go back the following day, it said.

Ontor Showbiz is one of the major event management groups of the country and is credited with arranging shows featuring major international artistes like Adnan Sami, Shaan and the band Junoon.

The group also arranged a music festival, titled 'Bangla-e Gaibey Bishwa,' on the occasion of International Mother Language Day (February 21) this year in Dhaka. Over 150 singers from 20 countries, including USA and Canada performed at the event.

Source: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/09/24/news0105.htm

SRK's RA.One goes international

Shah Rukh Khan has apparently roped in Hans Zimmer of The Dark Knight and The Lion King fame, to compose music for his home production.

Though known to be a perfectionist even otherwise, King Khan it seems wants to put all his energies in making his production RA.One, an international success.

Not too long ago, Shah Rukh Khan signed the pop icon Akon to sing one of the songs in the film. And now, the grapevine has it that SRK has signed German composer Hans Zimmer to work on the background score of the film. And if all goes well, this will be the first time Hans will be composing music for a Bollywood movie.

Hans Zimmer is recognised as one of Hollywood's most innovative musical talents for having worked on super hits like The Lion King, Gladiator, The Last Samurai, Pirates of The Caribbean series, The Da Vinci Code, The Dark Knight, Sherlock Holmes and even the much-talked-abut Inception.

A source from the unit reveals, "Shah Rukh has roped in a lot of foreign technicians for his sci-fi flick.

He wants the film to be of international standards. It was his director Anubhav Sinha who suggested Hans Zimmer's name for the background score.

Anubhav took the help of his contacts to arrange for a meeting between Hans and SRK. With time, Hans agreed to come on board."

Apparently, Hans has refused several Bollywood offers in the past and this time, he has agreed to make an exception for Shah Rukh's film RA.One.

You wonder if King Khan's charms won the day.

Well surely, but the buzz is that Hans has been paid a whopping 2 crore just to compose the background music for the film.

For now, Shah Rukh and Anubhav Sinha remained unavailable for comment.

Read more: SRK's RA.One goes international - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6618337.cms?prtpage=1#ixzz10XvjZYKG

Shahrukh Khan- SRK in aid of the ‘ignored’ fathers

While mothers have been eulogised for ages in cinema, fathers have been ignored. That is the opinion Shahrukh Khan seems to hold and the superstar is out saying that that was the one reason why he chose to do the sci-fi film Ra.One and that is why the project is so close to his heart.

"Ra.One is a simple story of a father and a son. There have been a lot of movies and songs dedicated to mothers but unfortunately, fathers are ignored. I being a father myself and a part of cinema, decided to give them all some space through my film," Shahrukh said.

He, at the same time, is hoping that the film will personally profit him, too. He expects after seeing the film he will become a hero for his son Aryan. We always knew SRK's devotion to his children, so that was somewhat cute. He has also decided to dedicate the film to all the fathers of the world.

"The film is dedicated to all the fathers in the world. I hope this film will help bring fathers at the front and make me a hero in the eyes of my son," Shahrukh said.

The film stars Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor, beside SRK, in important roles. It will be produced by SRK's banner Red Chillies Entertainment and will be directed by Anubhav Sinha.

Source: http://www.newspostonline.com/entertainment/shahrukh-khan-srk-in-aid-of-the-%E2%80%98ignored%E2%80%99-fathers-2010092386208

Vote @iamsrk for the Peoples Choice Awards

All SRK fans a request you to kindly vote for ShahRukh Khan as many times as possible and make him a winner of the Award. Spread the Word..Vote Now...


Vote Here http://www.lebaramobile.com/peoplechoiceaward/index.php

Shazahn shoots with Shah Rukh Khan

Not many are aware that before making her big screen debut with ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR, Shazahn Padamsee was an established face in the advertisement circuits. Though she has rubbed shoulders with many big names in that world and is now working with Ajay Devgn and Madhur Bhandarkar in DIL TOH BACHCHA HAI JI, Shazahn hasn't left behind her passion of being a model. She is still pretty much active in this circuit and recently shot a commercial with none other than Shah Rukh Khan.

"Well, I am just 21 and all I can say is 'Thank You God'," smiles Shazahn, "I am happy to be working with some of the best folks in business."


In a way, she has been lucky enough to get some of the best co-stars in business, whether it comes to Hindi films, her commercials or the projects down South. From Ranbir to Ajay, she has touched both age groups while in South, she recently did a film with heart throb Ram Charan Teja as well.

While Shah Rukh is a screen icon and Ram Charan pretty much belongs to her age group, one wonders what is so special about her role in the romcom DIL TOH BACHCHA HAI JI? After all she is half the age of her co-star Ajay Devgn and still plays his love interest.
"Well, I am not commenting on that," winks Shazahn who is still not so willing to talk about her role and the obvious age difference, "You see the film and you would know for yourself the relevance behind such casting."

"Having said that, the role of June Pinto, a Catholic girl that I play in the film, is amazing," she goes on to add, "I play an intern in Ajay's company and what happens next is pure magic due to the kind of on-screen bonding that happens between the two of us. The script is just awesome and so is Ajay. It is very important to have a good rapport on sets and know each other well. Ajay is so much down to earth and I think he just goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable."

Source: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/10/sep/23-shazahn-shoots-with-shah-rukh-khan-091008.asp

Shahrukh Khan: RA.ONE is for fathers

Though we might talk of gender equality, but SRK feels that fathers have been neglected over the time. He feels that there's a need to make fathers the heroes in front of their kids and to do that his film RA.ONE might actually do the trick.
SRK has claimed that his film RA.ONE is dedicated to all the fathers. He feels that there are only a few films that celebrate the importance of this bond. Now, RA.ONE will present all the dad's in their supreme light.

The film is one of the most promising projects SRK has ever attempted and is fast nearing completion.

Source: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/10/sep/23-shahrukh-khan-ra-one-is-for-fathers-091017.asp

Dad's honesty killed him: SRK

My dad's honesty killed him as he was too gentle to handle the world – but I'm not; I'm honest but I'm not defensive about winning and living well, says SRK, as he looks back at life 30 years after his dad died of cancer in Delhi

You've been posting messages about your dad today (Sep 19) ... nostalgia?
Haan yaar... I just suddenly realized today, I woke up and I'd forgotten what date it was, I just looked at the newspaper and then realized it... Actually, before that, at night, strangely, my son came to me – my wife is at the hospital, she's staying there – and he came to me and said, 'papa, I want to give a hug.' So I asked, 'why?' And he said, 'just like that, papa... I think, I love you'. I found it very touching.

And then I woke up and realized that it was my dad's death anniversary when I saw the newspapers. And I'm glad I'm in Delhi today. I'll go and pray in a while. When good things happen in my life – and I think every day a good thing happens in my life – I feel, I wish, that my parents were here, as my kids are growing up. For example, we had to bring the kids here, we couldn't leave the kids in Mumbai; sometimes you suddenly feel, arre, if I had my parents, you could always leave the kids with their grandparents, but that's not to be. We don't have any elder at home. I miss that, I miss them...

It's been a long, long time since my father died. I calculated it in the morning itself; its been 30 years. I feel happy to be in the town where he lived and died today. Ek ajeeb sa... isme kuch supernatural nahin hai, but I feel nice to be in the vicinity of where your family has lived and breathed.

Do you ever manage to go the house where he lived, relive memories?
The Gautam Nagar one? You see, my father died when we were in Green Park. My mother expired in the house we lived in, in Gautam Nagar. Yeah, I go in the night sometimes... I take the kids for a drive, go past the area, but I haven't specifically gone into the house, no.

You don't have the luxury of walking into the house where your father lived his last days without cameras and people around, do you?
No, I'm sure I can walk in and they won't say anything! I remember when my sister was joining university – I must have been 14 and she must have been 18 or 19 – my father took us to Delhi University. He took us into Miranda College. He had lived in a room there. I think perhaps it wasn't an all-girls college in those years; anyways, the principal had allowed him to stay in a room there. So he took us to the room, and he opened the door, and there were some girls there, and he said to them, 'beta, bura mat manna, main yahan pe rehta thaa.'

So I'm sure I can also walk into somebody's house and say, listen, I stayed here, and they won't mind. But no, I've never tried, I've just seen them from outside. I normally do take the kids out for a drive at night, tell them this is where I used to stay, this is my old house... they kind of feel nice. But yes, I've never gone inside.

You don't miss not stepping in and taking a look and saying, this is where his chair used to be, this is where he lived, this is where you had those childhood memories...?
Na... nahin, I feel I don't think I'd like to do that. I'd feel too sad. I've seen it from the outside at night but I probably wouldn't want to go in. I don't know. Maybe I don't want to go inside, which is why I never have. I haven't thought about it. Now that you're telling me, is when I'm thinking about it.

Maybe you wouldn't want to go with anyone around.
Yes, if I do, it'll be by myself, because there are things I don't share with the world, and I'm very clear about that... But I don't think it'll be right for the people who are living there for me to knock and walk in and say, 'hi, I'm here because my dad's memories are here for me.' They must be having a happy life in that house and they should just have their own memories in that house, not mine. My memories should move with me. So, no, I don't wish to go inside either of the houses where my parents died. If it was my house still, then of course I would go – but it's not. And I don't think I associate the space with my father and mother. A material space isn't something that I need to go to think of them... of course I'll go to my father's grave and pray at night sometimes.

That's a luxury you have?
Yes, yes... I'll go quietly and at night. It'll be scary, but I'll go (laughs)! If I can't go there, I'll go to the vicinity and pray.

And the kids?
I've taken them, yes, I've taken my kids to my parents' graves a few years back. Not my daughter, she was too small, but my son, yes. I like to take them sometimes. My wife gets a little worried sometimes, she says, 'don't. Take them in the daytime if you must.' So maybe I'll send them in the daytime with the family, and I'll go later at night.

When they are a little grown up, maybe, I'll take them along. You need to know your roots... like I, unfortunately – my father's family, I have hardly met. I've known them, and known of them, they're in Peshawar, but not much.

Sometimes I think – arre, what did my father's father look like? I'd like my son to know more than I do – to know how his father's father looked like, to pray a little for all the goodness that has come his way in life...

How unreal does all this look today? When you lost him, you were a fatherless 14-year-old in a small house in Delhi. Today, all of Delhi would line up to spend a few minutes with you.
I was speaking to my brother-in-law on this a little while back... I come here, even if I go to the hospital, the Escorts people, Dr Seth and all the other doctors are very kind... People stand in lines to see me, wave out to me. There's so much riding on me all the time...

This is as much a distance someone could have covered in 30 years, isn't it?
Yes, I just realized, if somebody were to ask me what I did to become successful in this distance – people do ask me that – and I swear I don't know. I think about fathers telling their kids what they should try and be. I never knew what I will be. I just studied, went from one place to another, went to Mumbai and acted a little – and before I have realized it, I have a son who is 12 years old, a daughter who is 10 years old, I am sort of famous, I am respected a lot, I am loved a lot.

And I find love in all the writings on how successful I am and on how unsuccessful I am going to be. He's the biggest star. He's not the biggest star. All the discussions I read about myself, I find love in all of them, they're concerned, that's why they talk about me.

And I just remember roaming about the streets here, as a nobody... I've come here (Gurgaon) when this was a desolated space, once, twice maybe.

I just don't know how all this happened. And I don't know – absolutely from the bottom of my heart I don't know how I became successful. There are better looking people than me, more talented than me, as hard working as me – or maybe more. But why did it all come to me? Why has it sustained for so long?

I've thought about this. And I came to the conclusion that it has happened because I never doubted what I am doing. I never doubted the fact that there wouldn't be somebody to look after me after my parents died – even though there was no one. I never doubted that I would be able to make ends meet for myself. I never doubted whether the work that I do would be a failure. And in fact I feel that as we have it all, we begin doubting – so I need to go back to that basic.

I was just telling a lady here that I have the heart of an entertainer. From the food I serve at my home to the cold drink I serve you, I want you to smile. The heart that I have – the heart of an entertainer – a part of it has always been sensible enough to do the business part of it. But a large part of it, a large part of my heart, still believes in magic. Because I believe in magic, magic happens to me

Also it happens, I believe, because my parents have given me that prayer – that listen, don't worry, you are magic. I don't have any other reason to believe in my success. I can't duplicate it. I can't tell my kids to become the same. There's no way – and I know it. But I think I am surrounded by the magic of my parents' soul. I believe that. I truly believe that. And I don't do anything special – I think of them, I pray to them, I pray to Allah and say, keep them nicely. But I am surrounded by the magic of their souls. So if God takes away from you something – if Allah takes away from you the most important aspect of your life, he fulfills other aspects. And today with my kids, I feel even the vacancy of my parents is fulfilled. I have got a son and a daughter – and I always think of them like my father and my mother, in the sense that chalo yaar, woh they, agar woh hote to main hota, biwi hoti, behen hoti – abhi bhi wohi team hai.

I am alone in what I do – I have a very small family – but I am never lonely. I don't need so much. I just need these 3-4 people to keep me away from loneliness, and I think that's the gift my parents have given me. I'm all alone, I am an outsider in Mumbai, but I do things with a lot of belief. I screw up also, I go wrong, I take pangaas, but I've always stuck to – agar isne galat bola hai, toh take a stand; agar yeh sahi bol raha hai, support; abhi yeh ulta bol raha hai, toh chup ho jao yaar, keep dignity.

It's my belief that so long as I am doing that, I will never be lonely. I will be alone, but I am happy – that's what life has given me, that I will walk alone. My loneliness has always been fulfilled by 3-4 people; earlier, my parents and my sister, now, my sister, my wife and kids. So it's a great gift. On good days, especially in Delhi, I miss my parents, and I do today, because it's a coincidence that I'm here today.

Coincidences happen... two, three years ago, on this day, somebody called me to release some medicines for them in Bangalore. Kiran Shaw. I didn't know her. I said, mujhe Bangalore nahi jaana yaar... and again, I looked at the papers, and realized it was 19th September, dad's death anniversary. So I asked my EA, what medicine? He said, cancer medicine. I said, listen, just fix up a plane quickly, I'm going. They'd even changed their programme in the meantime, and asked why I was coming now – and I was like, I don't know you, but somehow this is connecting – this is about a cancer medicine, and my dad died of cancer, and today is the day he died – so here I am. You have to believe in these things – whether faith, love, magic. The 'non-existent' things for human beings. We have to believe in them. I do.

I had a choice of costumes today; I chose to wear a sherwani, I said to myself, my dad would like it.

You often speak about your dad as a reference point – waqt ki chhoti, dad's eyeglasses...
Also my mom. My dad was very gentle, very honest – and his honesty killed him. My mom was also very honest, but she was a woman of the world. She knew how to fight the world, while retaining her integrity.

Why do you say his honesty killed him?
I think he was, you know... he was very successful, then became unsuccessful... he was a lawyer, he did not practice... he had a lot of options to take favours from people, which he did not. He went to Peshawar with a lot of dreams, took me also there... but I think somewhere he felt let down, he worried a lot, and I think worries cause cancer. And today it's proven also, in some ways, worries cause ulcers, and other things, and cancers. I think those worries just took his life – otherwise he was very strong, was just 51, no heart disease, never drank, nothing... I think just sticking to impractical honesty and beliefs took him away early.

My mother, on the other hand – though she also died at 50 – she was a go-getter. The training I got from the both of them was – from my dad, be gentle, be religious, be kind, be honest. He taught me shayari, poems.

What I learnt from my mom was – let me put it this way. There are three development stages of a kid – I've been giving lectures so I remember this. The first development should be of the heart – love, art, music, nature, all good things. The second part is development of the head – how to use it, how to develop the intellect. And the third part is, development of the hand – how to put that intellect to use. These three – but in that order. I truly believe that my father taught me the heart, and my mother taught me the intellect.

That's why when I meet people, youngsters, I tell them – please go out, and win your material goals as much as you want – honestly. Don't be like, how a lot of people think, yeh nahi hona chahiye, woh nahi hona chahiye, chhoro, aur bhi gham hai zamane mein. You should fulfill your material desires. Fulfill them honestly, straightforwardly, without owing it to anyone. Don't ask. Go and work for it.

The mixture that I got from them – I think that is the person I am. And so I miss both of them, perhaps differently. When I'm going wrong at work, I'm thinking of my mom, that I need to go out and DO IT, even if it all looks to be going wrong, go and give it my best shot. And when I'm going wrong in life, in my thoughts, that's when I think of dad. Then I'm like, isko maaf kar do yaar. Galti ho gayi toh chhoro na yaar. Yeh ulta bol raha hai, lekin jaane do... You have to overcome a lot of latent and spontaneous anger and disturbance. My dad was like that. Mom would have slapped. So I learnt how to slap from my mom, and how to hold it back from my dad (laughs).

I don't know if I can teach it all to my children, you know, because I'm a watered down version of their goodness.

When you're 50 yourself, you'll tend to do that comparison more frequently, perhaps?
I don't know, but my sister has been telling me that I have begun to look more and more like my dad – and I take that as a compliment. Because he was a gentle soul. I don't think I can ever be like my dad. I am a little too material, and a little too worldly intellectual. I wish I could say it right now, but I'd be lying if I said that I can be as simple as my dad. That's an inner calling. If it happens, well and good, because then I'd be a well-off honest man. I'd like that, yes! If at the age of 50, if I can pass on the education that my dad gave me, it would be great, but I honestly don't think I'd be able to reach that calibre. I think I am always going to be a mix of what my parents taught me.

Is that a bad thing?
It's a fantastic thing. I think my mix is the best mix. You're straightforward, honest, and you're living well – I think that's the best way. I tell my kids what I tell all youngsters –work hard, play harder, and don't forget to pray. To that I've now added – pay your taxes also. Don't owe anything to anybody. Always a giver be, if you can afford to. And just lead your life in the way that, at the end, it shouldn't be, arre yaar, mujhe aise nahi karna thaa – no regrets at the end of your life.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Dads-honesty-killed-him-SRK/articleshow/6606820.cms

Shah Rukh Khan to grace the inaugural event of CWG

The inaugural event of CWG is to be attended by our very own Shah Rukh Khan who has aptly shown his penchant for all things sports be it his movie "Chak De, India!" or the IPL cricket team "Kolkata Knight Riders" which he literally owns and relishes in talking about.

Though he's no doubt gaining from them in financial terms but think of it how many mainstream actors have the guts to do a completely sports-themed movie with 13 unknown faces, a middle-aged look without a full on lead role sans a heroine and actually make the best out of it. As far as the cricket team goes he's still to taste victory and has stood by his players even when they perform dismally.

Viraf Sarkari who owns the Gurgaon based entertainment hub 'Kingdom of Dreams' is the director in charge of both the inaugural as well as the valedictory ceremonies of the commonwealth games to be held in Delhi starting Oct 3rd. He did not confirm the news of Khan's participation saying, "I am sure the organising committee will invite Shah Rukh Khan and he can decide according to his schedule, whether he will be able to make it or not. It will be great to have him though."

It was at Sarkari's hub 'Kingdom of Dreams' that A. R. Rahman unveiled his peppier version of the Commonwealth theme song 'India bula liya' that he was forced to reconsider after facing much criticism right from the general public to the Group of Ministers with the Sports Minister M.S. Gill being quite vocal about it.

Till now there has been nothing right with the Commonwealth Games as if its bound to be a disaster. The stadiums have not been completed yet, the infrastructure in Delhi is not upto the international standards despite considerable amount of funds being allocated and already spent for the purpose and now with the rain gods showing no mercy everything is in a mess. Just yesterday report of athletes claiming that the games village quarters made available to them are not in proper living condition.

The location has also become a huge problem as it on the low lying areas and the Yamuna waters are threatening to drown it all. Nonetheless we can only hope for the best.

with the Chief Minister Shiela Dixit as ignorant and confident about it the possible flood like situation in Delhi is also not helping the case. Anyway the performers of the opening event are very much ready and the focus is on the cultural and traditional dances and music which define the very heart and soul of our country rather than just having some Hindi Film stars dancing and prancing around for hefty paycheques.

According to Sarkari who has also got Shah Rukh as the ambassador of his posh hub to make it a success globally, the program is to present the very original heritage and cultural beliefs of India and they are not leaving any loopholes and striving day and night to make the event an unforgettable one.

So, we can only wish that Shah Rukh Khan takes time out for the very special event and support the sporting event as he always does by gracing the CWG inauguration on 3rd of Oct in Delhi, by his presence.

Source: