“My Name is Khan” is based on post 9/11

Mumbai: Karan Johar's next coming movie "My Name Is Khan" is based on post 9/11 situation in US.

It's all about a Muslim who suffers from the Asperger syndrome, a form of autism that impacts social interaction abilities.

The guy is arrested as a suspected terrorist in post-9/11 Los Angeles after authorities mistake his disability for suspicious behaviour.

Talking about the movie Karan Johar says, Shah Rukh has played really well in the movie.

Johar says, "Time and again I'm blown away by Shah Rukh. How can he think of so many things about his character when he has so much on his plate?"

"He has done monumental research on his autistic character. I was zapped by how much he knew on the subject. And he brought all the knowledge on the sets." Johar added.

My Name Is Khan is my most controversial film to date: Karan Johar

You could make a film on the things that happened during your Los Angeles schedule of My Name Is Khan.
Tell me about it. Besides normal problems, there were unforesen problems. Thank God for my fabulous technical team. Without them I could never make my film the way I want to. Yes, there was stress.

There were visa problems for some Muslim members of your cast?
Yes there were problems.We has certain legal issues. We had to make some changes to accommodate the developments. They were sorted out. I believe in completely going by the law of every land. That's what we did in LA when troubles arose.

Was Aamir Bashir replaced by Jimmy Sheirgil after a great deal of deliberation and pain?
I wouldn't say it was painful. Yes, we did have to do some serious re-thinking. I spoke to my casting director Shanu Sharma for immediate release. I was very happy to have Jimmy Sheirgil on board.

I had done his clothes for Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein. So I know him from his debut. It was unfortunate that things didn't work out with Aamir Bashir. Like Jimmy he was terrific in A Wednesday. I look forward to working with him some other time.

Were you pissed off with Bashir for going to press about the visa problem?
I don't blame anyone for the situation. I don't see why the issue had to be reported so prominently in the Indian media. It complicated things for me. If creating hurdles for a filmmaker on a difficult foreign location makes news, so be it. It constantly kept creating stress for me.

Was it a painful experience to shoot in LA?
In all my 11 years as a filmmaker I've never felt the experience to be so different.Content- wise My Name Is Khan is diametrically opposite to whatever I've done in the past. You know, on the very first day of shooting my cameraman Ravi Chandran looked at me and said, 'I don't think you've ever shot something like this.'

This is the first time I'm directing a screenplay I haven't written myself. This gives me a level of detachment from the proceedings and yet a lot of attachment. It has released a whole plethora of unexplored emotions in my head.

This time I'm being creative in a different way. And Shah Rukh plays a completely different humanbeing I've never directed that person before. It took a few days for all of us to get into the groove. How this exploration of a new territory will turn out, no one knows.

My Name Is Khan has no lip-sync songs.
No none. The songs are all in the background. Even Rakeysh Mehra's Rang De Basanti didn't have lip-sync songs. But did we ever feel any loss? In LA we had fans coming to us to ask if there was any track like Suraj hua madhyam in My Name Is Khan.

Little did they know. Music is an integral but seamless part of My Name Is Khan, like Rang De Basanti.This time there's no It's the time to disco and Where's the party tonight. But there's guts soul and heart in the music. I've a huge comfort zone with my composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

That's the only way good work can be done. I wish more filmmakers would learn to have fun on the job. The day you start taking yourself too serious is the beginning of the end.

Apparently Javed Saab refused to share lyrical credits with Niranjan Iyer?
Javed Saab is a father figure. And our rapport goes way beyond work. Niranjan has written the dialogues. Niranjan wrote two songs in My Name Is Khan. Javed Saab was gracious enough to offer to let Nirajan write the rest of the songs.

And when I insisted Javed Saab had to write one song that only he could he very kindly agreed. He's also written the lyrics of my production Wake Up, Sid.

You're very generous about other people's work?
I come from a space where I believe the only way to be brilliant is to acknowledge brilliance. Of course I suffer from normal human failings like jealousy, insecurity and anxiety. But that doesn't stop me from acknowledging other people's good work. Of course you feel great sometimes when someone fails.

How was it directing Shah Rukh and Kajol again?
I am blessed to have them in my film. I don't know what it's about them. It's just magic. They build an inexplicable energy on screen. They instinctively understand each other's acting. When I direct a scene with Shah Rukh and Kajol I know I'm doing my best work. These two characters in My Name Is Khan HAD to be SRK and Kajol

You almost didn't get Kajol?
She had to read the script. That was it. She said yes. I wouldn't want any actor to say yes to my film just because he or she is a friend. I want my actors to really do the role.I've great friendships. But I don't want any actor to compromise on his or her basic tenets on cinema.

Was Kajol weighed down on location by her motherly duties?
Not at all. I've worked with Kajol in various stages of her life. I'm working her again eight years later. When we worked the last time she didn't have a daughter. So of course she's a different person.

Today I find her calmer more focused on her work than ever before. Of course she has a really cute daughter to look after. But Kajol manages to be fantastic wife-mother and actress. I find Shah Rukh and Kajol alike in their attitude to work and family.

They're both so much into their spouses and kids. When the shot is over they rush to their respective family. On location in LA between shots they spoke to each other about their respective families.

How was Shah Rukh?
Time and again I'm blown away by Shah Rukh. How can he think of so many things about his character when he has so much on his plate?

He has done monumental research on his autistic character. I was zapped by how much he knew on the subject.

And he brought all the knowledge on the sets without any strain. He had written reams of notes on how he wanted to interpret his character. And to him it was no big deal for him.

He's ready to direct a film any time. He will be outstanding at it. His understanding of human nature and emotions can never be matched by me.

Are you satisfied with what you've shot so far?
I can't be satisfied. I just need to get the job done. I'm just anxious to move on to the next schedule.
Source: Santabanta

SRK is ready to direct: Karan

After a tumultuous stint of shooting for what promises to be his most controversial film to date, Karan Johar lets

Karan Johar More Pics

off steam.

You could make a film on the things that happened during your Los Angeles schedule of My Name Is Khan.
Tell me about it. Besides normal problems, there were unforeseen problems. Thank God for my fabulous technical team. Without them I could never make my film the way I want to. Yes, there was stress.

There were visa problems for some Muslim members of your cast?
Yes, there were problems. We had certain legal issues. We had to make some changes to accommodate the developments. They were sorted out. I believe in completely going by the law of every land. That's what we did in LA when troubles arose.

Was Aamir Bashir replaced by Jimmy Sheirgil after a great deal of deliberation and pain?
I wouldn't say it was painful. Yes, we did have to do some serious re-thinking. I spoke to my casting director Shanu Sharma for immediate release. I was very happy to have Jimmy Sheirgil on board. I had done his clothes for Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein. So I know him from his debut. It was unfortunate that things didn't work out with Aamir Bashir. Like Jimmy he was terrific in A Wednesday. I look forward to working with him some other time.

Were you pissed off with Bashir for going to press about the visa problem?
I don't blame anyone for the situation. I don't see why the issue had to be reported so prominently in the Indian media. It complicated things for me. If creating hurdles for a filmmaker on a difficult foreign location makes news, so be it. It constantly kept creating stress for me.

Was it a painful experience to shoot in LA?
In all my 11 years as a filmmaker I've never felt the experience to be so different. Content- wise My Name Is Khan is diametrically opposite to whatever I've done in the past. You know, on the very first day of shooting my cameraman Ravi Chandran looked at me and said, 'I don't think you've ever shot something like this.' This is the first time I'm directing a screenplay I haven't written myself. This gives me a level of detachment from the proceedings and yet a lot of attachment. It has released a whole plethora of unexplored emotions in my head. This time I'm being creative in a different way. And Shah Rukh plays a completely different human being I've never directed that person before. It took a few days for all of us to get into the groove. How this exploration of a new territory will turn out, no one knows.

My Name Is Khan has no lip-sync songs.
No, none. The songs are all in the background. Even Rakeysh Mehra's Rang De Basanti didn't have lip-sync songs. But did we ever feel any loss? In LA we had fans coming to us to ask if there was any track like Suraj hua madhyam in My Name Is Khan. Little did they know. Music is an integral but seamless part of My Name Is Khan, like Rang De Basanti. This time there's no It's the time to disco and Where's the party tonight. But there's guts, soul and heart in the music. I've a huge comfort zone with my composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. That's the only way good work can be done. I wish more filmmakers would learn to have fun on the job. The day you start taking yourself too seriously is the beginning of the end.

Apparently Javed Saab refused to share lyrical credits with Niranjan Iyer?
Javed Saab is a father figure. And our rapport goes way beyond work. Niranjan has written the dialogues. Niranjan wrote two songs in My Name Is Khan. Javed Saab was gracious enough to offer to let Nirajan write the rest of the songs. And when I insisted Javed Saab had to write one song that only he could he very kindly agreed. He's also written the lyrics of my production Wake Up, Sid.

You're very generous about other people's work?
I come from a space where I believe the only way to be brilliant is to acknowledge brilliance. Of course I suffer from normal human failings like jealousy, insecurity and anxiety. But that doesn't stop me from acknowledging other people's good work. Of course you feel great sometimes when someone fails.

How was it directing Shah Rukh and Kajol again?
I am blessed to have them in my film. I don't know what it's about them. It's just magic. They build an inexplicable energy on screen. They instinctively understand each other's acting. When I direct a scene with Shah Rukh and Kajol I know I'm doing my best work. These two characters in My Name Is Khan HAD to be SRK and Kajol.

You almost didn't get Kajol?
She had to read the script. That was it. She said yes. I wouldn't want any actor to say yes to my film just because he or she is a friend. I want my actors to really do the role. I've great friendships. But I don't want any actor to compromise on his or her basic tenets on cinema.

Was Kajol weighed down on location by her motherly duties?
Not at all. I've worked with Kajol in various stages of her life. I'm working her again eight years later. When we worked the last time she didn't have a daughter. So of course she's a different person. Today I find her calmer, more focused on her work than ever before. Of course she has a really cute daughter to look after. But Kajol manages to be fantastic wife-mother and actress. I find Shah Rukh and Kajol alike in their attitude to work and family. They're both so much into their spouses and kids. When the shot is over they rush to their respective family. On location in LA between shots they spoke to each other about their respective families.

How was Shah Rukh?
Time and again I'm blown away by Shah Rukh. How can he think of so many things about his character when he has so much on his plate? He has done monumental research on his autistic character. I was zapped by how much he knew on the subject. And he brought all the knowledge on the sets without any strain. He had written reams of notes on how he wanted to interpret his character. And to him it was no big deal for him. He's ready to direct a film any time. He will be outstanding at it. His understanding of human nature and emotions can never be matched by me.

How was it shooting with Ravi Chandran for the first time?
I told him very frankly that I'm not technically savvy. I left it all to him. I've only contributed to the emotional energy of the film.

Are you satisfied with what you've shot so far?
I can't be satisfied. I just need to get the job done. I'm just anxious to move on to the next schedule.
Source: TOI

Shahrukh Khan Up Close and Personal 3rd July 2009,Bay Area

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxwViNfTtac

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=104614911665&h=3Y8_B&u=OyVgx&ref=mf

Eat your heart out

Imagine you're director Karan Johar. It's around dusk. You've got some free time before a long night shoot from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Healdsburg plaza. What are you gonna do?

Read the Press Democrat story about the Bollywood invasion of Wine Country.

Wait, did this crackpot writer really just say the neighbors on Greens Drive seemed like they could care less about a Bollywood shoot?

Surely, there's something else worth reading around here….

Now imagine you're madly in love with the film's star - Shahrukh Khan. How long would you wait for a photo with the one and only King Khan?

Here's a keeper sent to me by Ridhi Goswami who waited with her friends all day for this shot.

p.s. thanks to PD photographer Crista Jeremiason (working overtime) for the Johar pics…check out her photo gallery here….

Intruders on SRK's MNIK sets

It must be nothing new for Shahrukh Khan to have intruders on his sets while shooting. But, this one visit he had while shooting for MY NAME IS KHAN in San Francisco was unique! 

Shahrukh Khan is presently shooting in San Francisco. The city of Golden Gate, Heritage homes & Cable cars. These unique aspects make SF a popular tourist destination. Seeing people from across the world roaming about in the city is an every day sight.. 

But what happened a few days ago in San Francisco, was something unimaginable. San Francisco was witness to two most unique looking tourists - ever.

The people in the city noticed two green colour, flubber-like characters roaming around the city streets. Some people were amused, some excited and some awestruck. But surprisingly, some people ventured to click snaps with them because they found them to be very cute & cuddly. But what was clear was that they were in SF searching for someone. 

Finally, after a long search across the city, these characters found what they were looking for. Straightaway, they barged into a Bollywood shoot location and reached up to a vanity van, which had a signage saying 'Rizvan'. 

The two characters named Chouw and Mouw just barged into SRK's van and when they were stopped by the security, they started screaming for Shahrukh. It was all quite a commotion till SRK stepped out of the van and surprised the entire unit by identifying them as his friends from India.

That's not all, Chouw & Mouw also got him a gift, which was confiscated by the security guys thinking it was some suspicious object. As soon as SRK opened the gift box, guess what he saw - a switch. And, SRK, obviously had to hit it. That was it. Something blew out of the box over Golden Gate Bridge and reached the sky! It was the green lava-like brand new logo of Videocon! 

Speaking on the occasion, Shahrukh said, ''I am delighted to receive such a wonderful gift from my friends Chouw and Mouw in the form of NEW VIDEOCON LOGO. My best wishes to Chouw and Mouw!'' 

''As an actor in popular cinema, I continuously improve and reinvent myself to stay totally connected with my audience. I am extremely delighted to be associated with Videocon, a thinking company that is taking this next step forward to underline and further strengthen its enviable relationship with a vast and continuously expanding fan-following,'' he added.

Chouw and Mouw spent a few days in San Francisco with SRK. Shahrukh took special care of Chouw and Mouw and introduced them to the entire crew on the sets of the movie MY NAME IS KHAN. Infact, Chouw and Mouw had free access to the entire set. The entire crew took an instant liking for Chouw and Mouw for their lovable and gregarious nature. Chouw and Mouw were seen mingling with everyone and helping out in the various tasks on the sets of the movie. 

Chouw & Mouw are the central characters of a new ad campaign, depicting the positive dimension of change when they come together. They are shown in different situations transforming life's of others. Chouw is the bigger, giant looking character but at heart he is kind and empathetic. But Mouw, who is tiny and small, is a clever and street smart. When they come together they create magic, bringing about change and delight in everyone's life. 

SRK concluded ''I am confident, my best friends Chouw and Mouw will be loved by all and they are sure to capture millions of hearts and create smiles across the world''

Source: Glamsham

Shell out 250$ for a pic with SRK at an US hotel

Be ready to fork out $250 to be seen in same pic with SRK at a US hotel
PS: Think we haven't heard of Photoshop, guys?

When Indian movie stars shoot aboard, fans travel from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the homegrown actors.

The management of Hotel Fairmount in San Francisco, USA got a whiff of SRK's superstardom when fans from literally all over the States started pouring in to catch a glimpse of the actor. They came up with a master plan to cash in on their guest Shah Rukh Khan's star power.

Table for all
A source from the US reveals, "Shah Rukh is currently in San Francisco shooting for the last leg of Karan Johar's My Name Is Khan. And he has agreed to use his spare time for a good cause.  SRK fans can book a table at the restaurant for one night when the actor will mingle with the patrons."

Prices to pay
The source further adds, "If they wish to take a picture with their favourite star, they will have to shell out $250 (approximately Rs 12,000) and if they wish to have dinner on the same table as the superstar, there is a bigger price tag. The dinner is scheduled for some time next week when SRK will get a night early off work."
Source: Mid-Day