Articles: Shahrukh Khan - Page 54

Stop blaming Shah Rukh Khan!

Pooja Bedi

Pink Floyd's The wall was an anthem during my school years but we still went to school, raised our hand when we wanted to speak, respected our teachers, did our homework and I always scored high grades. A song's just a song after all!

President Bush described rapper Eminem as "the most dangerous threat to American children since Polio" (I suspect it has more to do with the rapper's offensive lyrics than the anti-Bush song Mosh he created) but he hasn't been banned and continues with his odious ways and Michael Moore being able to screen the anti Bush administration movie Fahrenheit 9/11 certifies America as a practising democracy.

However, a bunch of regressive Indians in our country do not seem to believe in creative liberties or democratic rights. For heaven's sake! How many of you started smoking because Shah Rukh puffed away on screen or became depraved after watching an item number on screen?

I doubt there will be overwhelming statistical data for either of these outcomes, but protest groups have decided to let theory override statistics and worry mongering overshadow cinematic liberties by making much noise about nudity in cinema and banning onscreen smoking.

Hey I am not pro-smoking, I don't smoke. I don't like the stuff (Even encouraged my uncle and dad to give it up) and it doesn't matter if my favourite pin-ups, Angelina Jolie and George Clooney, smoke on screen or off, because it's their choice. Not smoking is mine. Besides, if the Shahrukh+cinema angle was so potent, our society should be alcohol free given that Shah Rukh's character in Devdas died of alcoholism.

I realise, I am generally viewed as nonconformist, outspoken and irreverent. However, I just see myself as pro-choice, pro-democracy and pro-law.

It's really very simple. If you don't appreciate nudity, don't go to see movies that flaunt skin. If you don't want to drink don't go to bars. If you don't want to hear women talking about sex don't buy a ticket to see Vagina Monologues. Instead of impinging on cinematic rights why not focus on banning the sale of the infernal killer cigarette itself? Why should you stop others from leading their lives and doing their jobs when they are clearly not violating the law?

The police want us to follow the law and that's perfectly justified. The moral police want us to abide by their personal likes and dislikes, and I find that utterly offensive and a violation of our rights.

In my estimation, the need of the hour is liberalism which is an ideology, philosophy, and political tradition that holds liberty as the primary political value. By Wikipedia's definition, liberalism seeks a society characterised by freedom of thought and equal rights by law for individuals, limitations on power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise and a transparent system of government in which the rights of minorities are guaranteed.

Let's work at a progressive and liberal India. Let's not constantly cower down and "fit in" because it's easy, or because despair is familiar. Let's start living life on our own terms, democratically, freely, lawfully and far removed (whether an atheist, widow, divorcee, housewife, metrosexual man, a couple in love, or HIV+), from fear, prejudice, regression and stigma.

Watch Pooja Bhatt and Milind Soman discuss living life on their own terms tonight at 10 pm on Just Pooja, Zoom TV.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/OPINION/Columnists/Pooja_ Bedi/JUST_POOJA/Stop_blaming_Shah_Rukh_Khan/articleshow/1636 360.cms

SRK unveils healthcare journal

By IndiaFM News Bureau, April 9, 2007 - 09:25 IST
http://i.indiafm.com/img/news/07/apr/srk2.jpg
Shah Rukh Khan has been chased by the media spotlight endlessly. After thrilling an eager audience at the official unveiling of his wax statue in Madame Tussauds, London, the Bollywood superstar has done it again!

He surprised the guests present at the launch of a healthcare journal called "Health International" on Sunday night. Reportedly, SRK made an unexpected visit at hotel Taj Lands End, Bandra. He then entertained the guests with magic tricks and of course, his clever compering tactics. Heath International is a collective effort of brilliant journalists with the assistance of physical trainers and health experts. The star-studded event saw celebrities like Roop Kumar and Sonali Rathod, Rahul Roy, Prem Chopra, Mohinder Amarnath, Poonam Dhillon and Akbar Khan, who dropped in to convey their regards.

Besides SRK and other Bollywood bigwigs, the royal family of Ajman was also present to grace the occasion – including members of the royalty like Prince Sheikh Majid Bin Sayeed with his father Sheikh Sayeed Bin Rashid Al Nuami.

http://indiafm.com/news/2007/04/09/9232/index.html

When SRK knelt before a wheel chair in Madame Tussauds

By IndiaFM News Bureau, April 9, 2007 - 11:14 IST

I went to see Shahrukh Khan in London when he came to unveil his statue at Madame Tussauds wax museum. I was accompanied by five young women from Shahrukh Khan's French fan club, Shahrukhfan.fr. We knew that only media people would be allowed to get into the museum, but despite this, we came from France, hoping to see Shahrukh, and maybe talk to him.

I am on a wheelchair and it was almost vital for me to tell him that when I see him dance, my body too dances, that I can dance with his body. I so much wanted to thank him! We went to the museum at 7am and we waited for hours in the icy wind of London. We talked to the bodyguards, they were giants but very nice ones; people were getting more and more excited and less and less controllable. They had come from all parts of the world, "only" to catch a glimpse of Shahrukh: France, Japan, Australia, and Trinidad.

Then he came. Suddenly no one remembered me, our small group was scattered, literally ejected meters away from me, I was sandwiched between Nani, who was helplessly holding the wheelchair, and the bodyguard, with my head flattened against him. I managed to move my head away, and I saw Shahrukh, with his caramel-coloured skin, his black hair and beautiful smile.

Then, for one second, our eyes met. How strange. Try to imagine: the overexcited crowd, the hysteria, the bodyguards, and our eyes met, although he was three meters away from me, with lots of people between us, and my chair wasn't at all at the level of his eyes. Then everything became black. The tsunami was dangerously shaking my chair. My face was flattened against the bodyguard. All that came to my mind was that the wedge of the armchair was completely driven into the guard's legs, and Nani was doing her very best to prevent me from falling on the ground. Then the bodyguard moved, with one hand he was holding the crowd and with the other he made sure that I could see something. In fact, it's because Shahrukh was kneeling down that the guard moved. He was kneeling down for me. It was like being in a cave with human walls, we were in front of each other, and I was able to tell him thank you, I could tell him that he made me dance. He didn't understand. People were screaming and my English wasn't good, I was too nervous.

He asked me, surprised, if I wanted to dance. I said "no, I don't want to dance, I dance with your body". He smiled, took my face with infinite tenderness, and kissed me on the forehead. He didn't smell cigarette, nor perfume, only a nice body odour. His kiss wasn't wet but not dry either. It was complete. He went away and I didn't see him again. What more can I tell you? This man gives off strength. When he came near me I felt this strength, he gives and gives, only with his presence.

It wasn't a star kissing a disabled woman for publicity. I felt the human being, full of tenderness. He is able to do a lot of good. I don't understand why Tussauds tried desperately to discourage us from coming. I hope Shahrukh knows that the reason why there weren't more people is that Tussauds refused to give information, kept repeating that we wouldn't see him, laughed at us. The public relations of the museum strung us along; Tussauds didn't want us to come. I don't know why and I hope this will reach Shahrukh's ears. If it does: thank you, Shahrukh; seeing you and seeing you dance has changed my life. Thank you for stopping in front of me on Tuesday, April 3rd.

(As emailed to us by Alicia Baca)

http://indiafm.com/features/2007/04/09/2493/index.html

Snap Happy Times

By HT
Sunday April 8, 02:47 AM
From simple celebrity coverage of the old where senior journalists were friends with stars and suppressed quite a few nasty tidbits about them, we are rapidly moving into paparazzi territory where nothing is sacred or private when it comes to people in the limelight.

The desire to live vicariously, voyeuristically and yes, vapidly - by blocking out more serious, sombre news - is what drives the paparazzi phenomenon the world over. In India, where only a handful of celebrities, evenly divided between cricket and films, actually qualify as genuine A-listers, the hunger for interaction gets sharper and more focused; the questions a little more personal and uncomfortable.

Exclusive Games

Paul Danahar, BBC's South Asia bureau chief, analyses this change. "There was no competition in India ten years ago. Now it is one of the most competitive media markets in the world." The quest for survival in an overcrowded reporter-eat-reporter circuit is why the paparazzi culture is slowly but surely gaining ground in India, according to Danahar. Everything now revolves around getting an "exclusive." Rajdeep Sardesai, managing editor of CNN/IBN, Channel 7 and IBN 7, compares the media to a "carnivorous beast" that wants to feed on all possible events and generate news in any way possible.

"They never refuse to pose. People like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh were humble when they began their careers and they are still humble. It is the new lot that don't know how the system works. When they are just a release or two old, they start giving attitude and don't want to be clicked. They lose out on the visibility the media can give them. And when their careers come to a grinding halt, they want to pose for pictures again. But by that time, it is usually too late."

Shah Rukh Khan, one of the few stars who can inspire fan mobs, is matter-of-fact about this relationship. "When I want to boost my film, I will have three back-to-back press conferences in a day and people will come. It is not a question of using the media - I'm giving them something too. We are all doing what we have to do."

But what happens when the intrusion is not expected or planned for, given that the paparazzi deal in candid snaps. Can celebrities really demand to be left alone when they have chosen to live in the limelight?

According to director and talk show host Karan Johar, there is no such thing as privacy in a celebrity's life. "If you want privacy, you should become a doctor or something." Speaking about the relationship between the media and celebs, he says, "It's like a marriage. You can love them, hate them but you can't do without them. The media is the bridge between a celebrity and the common man. How can we do without it?" But even then he believes there are certain lines that the press should not cross. In his words, "what I do in my bedroom is private."

Point taken.

Going for Broke

But with the fabulous assets that most stars have at hand, that include beefy bouncers, media managers and friends at high places, it is a little difficult to imagine how a celebrity can be hounded in this country. Especially since most Indian journalists have meagre resources to fall back on.

So in 99 per cent of the cases, what you see in print and on TV has the tacit consent of the stars. You will never have photographers in India getting clear shots of a celeb couple sunbathing on their yacht. The reason? Well, the equipment is too expensive and the payments not so great here.

Most celebrity pictures sell for a measly Rs 100 to Rs 500 a picture. Compare that to a fee of $500,000, the amount reportedly paid for the Brangelina-on-the-beach pictures. In India, for unusually spicy pictures like that of Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha chatting, the price goes up to only Rs 5000. Such rates don't justify shelling out lakhs for the equipment.

Sanjay Nigam of TV Today agrees, stating that there is no danger of the Indian scenario getting as bad as it is in the West, unless the "commerce of it improves." Also publishing unfavourable pictures means a blanket boycott of the photographer or reporter in question by the star. Yogen Shah puts it succinctly. "Why would I want to spoil my relationship with them for such measly amounts. I would rather take their consent while shooting pictures and stay in their good books."

In addition, of course, is the clout of the stars themselves. "You can't demand privacy. But you can create it," says Shah Rukh. "If I don't want a photographer to sit on some lamppost and take pictures of what's happening on my terrace, then I better cover my terrace. When I have a private party in my house, I keep it private. But the press has the right to hang around outside and try and get pictures."

The decision to come out and speak to the press, like he did last year on his fortieth birthday, however cannot be forced on him. But it does go a long way in building goodwill. By honouring some of the basic demands of the press, Khan creates a comfort zone so that requests to not shoot his kids, for example, are honoured.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/070407/32/6e9s7.html

Shah Rukh - Take Three

By Krishna Jewel, AllBollywood.com Staff
April 08, 2007

Shah Rukh Khan is still on a high from the wonderful honour of his duplicate being installed at Madame Tussauds London. Now he his a triplicate!

He has been honoured with a wax replica at Sunil Kandaloor's as well.

While the dream of Shah Rukh's mother to have her son in the famous Madam Tussaud's in London has now been fulfilled, she would have been doubly pleased to know that her son now has a replica on home soil created by Sunil Kandaloor.

Kandaloor has created his own wax replica of the superstar in a theme park called Baywatch in Kanyakumari. However, he has not met SRK to take the intricate messurements that the Tussauds people were privy to...rather the measurements were taken from a life-size poster.

SRK's figure is among 20 statues of prominent Indians like PM Manmohan Singh and superstar Rajanikanth.

Kandaloor claims that he had great fun replicating the 'dimples' of the Bollywood Badshah.

When SRK heard about this new statue, he was thrilled, "Maybe I am doing something right! That's why people give me so much importance," he said.

http://www.allbollywood.com/v2/bd/stc/nws/2007/4/8/23350.sht ml

Shahrukh Khan Spins Magic

The man has done that to his millions of fans, but SRK never ceases to spin magic wherever he goes and this time he has done it literally!!

The launch of the new Health International journal on Sunday night at Taj Lands End in Bandra .

The journal, a collective effort of brilliant journalists with the assistance of physical trainers and health experts, calls for the attention of two men who were responsible for the evolvement of this journal today namely, Mr. Thumbay Moideen, President of the journal, popular in the Gulf as the head honcho behind the Thumbay Group and Mr. Rauf Ahmed, one of India's best known journalist who has now diversified from entertainment portal to a different genre by being the Editor of the magazine.

The launch witnessed a host of celebrities pouring in like Roop Kumar and Sonali Rathod, Rahul Roy, Prem Chopra, Mohinder Amarnath, Poonam Dhillon, Akbar Khan to drop in the their congratulations and be a part of the celebrations.

Shahrukh Khan who of course was the star attraction, kept the crowd entertained with his magic tricks and witty remarks!

www.indiaglitz.com

Bachan on SRK, IIFA & Ash

The Indian International Film Awards head to Yorkshire this year, and brand ambassador for the event Amitabh Bachchan announced the nominations at London's Madame Tussauds -- an interesting choice of venue given Shah Rukh Khan unveiled his waxwork there just a day before.

And with the Big B making an appearance in April, the media couldn't help but ask him about his son Abhishek's impending nuptials with Aishwarya Rai. Bachchan, as always, called the issue a personal affair and something he wouldn't prefer commenting upon.

Spotting Ash and Abhishek in London

The nominations were interesting, since Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna resulted in both Bachchan Sr and Jr nominated for a Best Supporting actor award. The awards will be handed out at Sheffield's Hallam FM Arena on June 9.

Brushing aside the rumours of SRK rivalry, Bachchan smiled and said he was happy that King Khan too has found his place at the world-renowned wax museum. He said that it was a joyous occasion for the Indian film industry and the country as such. Bachchan, of course, was the first Indian actor to be honoured by Madame Tussauds.

Now in its 8th year, IIFA plans to go green. The target is to lower the emission of carbon dioxide, from all quarters. With support from international celebrities like Sienna Miller and TV networks like MTV, it's bound to gain momentum. Closer home, John Abraham, Lara Dutta and the entire Bachchan clan -- including daughter-in-law to be, Aishwarya Rai -- have vouched their support for the campaign.

Bachchan also stressed that IIFA till date haven't found their footing in North and South America. He mentioned that there was a proposal from New York City, but in the final vote count Yorkshire beat out the Big Apple.

www.rediff.com

SRK will do anything for friends

IANS
Posted Sunday , April 08, 2007 at 22:38 Email Print

FRIEND INDEED: SRK says he doesn\'t like making cameo appearances but he can't say no to a friend.

Mumbai: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's generosity of spirit does not only stretch to giving away watches on Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). He knows how to repay old debts.

Producer Viveik Vaswani found that out recently when he approached Shah Rukh to make a guest appearance in his new production Dulha Mil Gaya.

Not only did SRK readily agree to make an appearance in the comedy, he has also agreed to let his role be extended to more than double what it was meant to be originally.

This isn't the first cameo appearance he has done for a friend. Recently he made fleeting appearances in Silsilay, Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye and I See You.

"These were for friends. And although I don't like making cameo appearances I can't say no to a friend if he asks me to be in his film," Shah Rukh said.

"Viveik is someone I've known from the time I came to Mumbai. And yes, he requires more of my dates for his film. So why not?" he reasoned.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/srk-will-do-anything-for-friends /38000-8.html

Everybody loves ShahRukh Khan

By Vimla Patil

8 April 2007 (Sawf News) - ShahRukh Khan (SRK) is honored with a desi wax replica at Sunil Kandaloor's!

ShahRukh Khan's mother had hoped one day her son's wax replica would be placed at Madam Tussaud's in London and that dream has been fulfilled.

However, SRK's fans love him too and one of them, Sunil Kandaloor, almost with the same passion as SRK's mother.

Kandaloor has created his own wax replica of the superstar in a theme park called Baywatch in Kanyakumari. He has not met SRK and says the measurements were taken from a life-size poster!

SRK's figure here is among 20 statues of prominent Indians like PM Manmohan Singh and superstar Rajanikanth.

Kandaloor claims that he had great fun replicating the 'dimples' of the Bollywood Badshah!

When SRK heard about this new statue, he was thrilled! "Maybe I am doing something right! That's why people give me so much importance," he said.

SRK's gal says no to Sallu!

By: Vickey Lalwani
April 10, 2007

Deepika Padukone, who debuts in Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om with Shah Rukh, has turned down Hindi remake of Pokhiri with Salman

Something's Not Quite Right Here: Deepika Padukone

Model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone, who plays the female lead opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om, has politely declined playing Salman Khan's love interest in Boney Kapoor's next film (a remake of the Telegu hit Pokhiri).

Our source reveals, "Deepika backed out at the eleventh hour in a very unprofessional manner.

Boney was waiting for her at a suburban preview theatre for the screening of the original film, so that she could get a feel of her role.

But then, her business manager called him barely 15 minutes before the show and said she was not interested in doing the film!"

Not my loss

When contacted, Kapoor confirms that Deepika has backed of his film, but refuses to admit the circumstances under which she did it.

"A screening was supposed to happen but it didn't, as Deepika informed me in advance that she couldn't do it.

I wanted this film to be her next after Om Shanti Om and I had categorically told her that. But she told me it won't be possible as she was committed to other projects," says Boney.

When asked if he is disappointed about Deepika's exit, Boney laughs, "There is no question of being disappointed, as I've not lost a big star.

I have shortlisted two new faces and I will soon announce the name of the girl who will play the lead opposite Salman. Shooting starts in June."

No details

Meanwhile, Deepika had a different story to tell. She says, "I only met Mr Kapoor once, and all I was told is that the film is a remake of a South film, Salman will be the hero and that he would produce it. Beyond that, no details were discussed.

Also, I was told that they would get back to me about the screening."

About refusing the film, Deepika quips, "I hadn't confirmed my availability to do the film in the first place, so what's the fuss about? I had date problems.

Mr Kapoor wanted certain dates that were not feasible for me. Also, there was no screening arranged for me."

Deepika avers that she has been a model for quite some time and is known to be extremely professional. "The screening was supposed to happen provided both parties agreed on a time and date.

Later, they themselves told me that there was no point in arranging a screening if I wasn't doing the film. Mr Kapoor's secretary Shyam coordinated the entire thing. If there was a miscommunication from his end, I don't know."

http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/april/155091.htm