Srk Kajol Opening Bell at Nasdaq in NY-Pic - Page 8

Bullish SRK sends NASDAQ soaring!

Global Indian Shah Rukh Khan rings NY stock exchange gong with co-star Kajol

MEENA IYER Times News Network

Moments after A R Rahman picked up his two Grammys in LA, on February 1 at 8.30 a.m. (New York time), Bollywood had yet another defining moment in global history. The King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan and his co-star Kajol from Karan Johar's My Name Is Khan, rang the gong at the New York stock exchange — NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations). The only Indian who has received this honour prior to SRK is Infosys CEO, Narayan Murthy.

Elated, Shah Rukh said, "I have usually stayed away from stock exchanges because I've always felt that they were scary places. I'm here now and I like it. When Kajol and I entered the NASDAQ today, I was told the market is green (flourishing). I can't tell you how happy the news has made me.'' Happy that MNIK was given this platform — the first for any Bollywood film — SRK joked, "I don't want to sound cheesy, but I get the feeling that the stocks of My Name Is Khan that open on February 12, will keep rising in the weeks to come.''

Humbled by the honour given to his latest film, Karan Johar said, "This is truly a moment of integration between the West and us. SRK is a global icon and he has a reach that is far beyond the space awarded to most others. Ringing the gong at the NASDAQ is a first for us. Honestly, SRK has many firsts in his career. Like he was the first Bollywood actor to give away a trophy at the Golden Globes; he is the first to have rung the gong at the world's biggest stock exchange; MNIK is the first film of an Indian actor to have such a wide release even in mainstream American film regions. All of these honours just say one thing — that SRK is our global Indian. Like I have said earlier, SRK has truly put Indian cinema on the global market. I'm fortunate to be associated with him.''

Mumbai times epaper.

I am so happy for Srk and Kajol😃

Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol ring NASDAQ opening bell

By: IANS Date: 2010-02-02 Place: New York

Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol have become the first Indian actors to ring the opening bell of the world's biggest stock exchange, NASDAQ, an honour usually reserved for CEOs of major corporations.

The actors who are in the US to promote their upcoming film, "My Name Is Khan" releasing Feb 12, came to NASDAQ and rang in the first trading day of February at 9.30 a.m. Monday at a ceremony broadcast live on many television networks across the globe.

With over 3,700 companies listed, the NASDAQ has more trading volume than any other stock market in the world.

As the star pair made their way to the NASDAQ building in Times square, Shah Rukh said on his twitter account: "Nasdaq will be fun. Have to make sure I reach on time, otherwise will end up being blamed for economic upheaval across the world too... ha ha."

In the film, Khan plays a Muslim Indian with Asperger syndrome (a form of autism) who lives in the US and marries a Hindu single mother, played by Kajol, but their marriage crumbles post-9/11 and he sets out to meet the US president for help in getting her back.

The highly awaited picture reunites Khan and Kajol, who haven't appeared in a film together since "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" in 2001. The film was shot in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Mumbai. Directed by filmmaker Karan Johar, it's produced by his company, Dharma Productions.

"My Name Is Khan" was reportedly sold to Fox Star Studios last July for a record $21 million, the highest price ever paid by a distributor for a Bollywood film.

Under the deal, Fox Star Studios, a joint venture between American film studio 20th Century Fox and India's Star Group, acquired the worldwide marketing and distribution rights to the film. It will be released in North America by Fox Searchlight Pictures, a division of 20th Century Fox.

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh told The Wall Street Journal Monday: "I'm hopeful to make one Hindi film that's seen by the whole world."

"Like, 'Life is Beautiful'," he explained. "It was an Italian film but everyone saw it and loved it."

A year after "Slumdog Millionaire" raked in eight Oscars, Shah Rukh admitted he'd love to top its success. "Nobody knows where a film is going to go when you finish it," he was quoted as saying by the Journal.

"I think this will... touch a lot more people in the Eastern and Western world than any film has done before. I would love it to be a bigger hit than 'Slumdog'."

Asked about plans to cross into Hollywood, Shah Rukh Khan said: "I've never been asked."

He jokingly speculated that it was, perhaps, because he doesn't have Brad Pitt's body and doesn't know kung fu.

"I like that I'm the king of Bollywood though," he told the Journal.

OMG.. I am very late to join in the promotional stuff that is finally hapennin.. Hello!! haha.. Finally.. Srk and kajol.. looked awesome. .awesomee... gosh they are just adorable.. But a great way to kick things off.. I hope MNIK's stocks go up high..... as predicted by Srk!

I know Zaru!! I just was stuck in stuff.. and my laptop got busted.. and ma IF password and stuff was in it.. gosh.. and so much stuff is happening with MNIK.. gosh I never even imagined so many controversies.. with this one.. few dayz back everything was nice and quiet.. and now.. its just nuts!! I cant even believe all the stuff that is happening.. lol.. Its a nightmare! But the NASDAQ stuff is pretty nice.. I hope things go smooth.. hence forward.

Suku some people are predicting things will be sorted out by the time movie release. But i doubt. Things are pretty crazy back in india. But yeah good to see Srk Kajol at Nasdaq, i was hope to go well and not get cancelled lol

I also think that things will go right! The movie will release on time throughout India.. and might get a bit delayed in some places in Mumbai.There have been protests in movies like Jodha Akhbar and others and they still released nicely and ended up doing well.. I just hope things work out.. at the end of the day.

Originally posted by: anna143

omg is that you!!! are you lucky or what!! you finally got to see your fav star i feel so happy for you! It must be very surreal. I would be going crazzzyy if i ever saw him 😆

I swear he looked like a doll. He was more handsome in real life mashallah. Both of them were freezing but were gracious enough to take a walk on the street for the fans.

And SRK wouldn't let go of Kajol. The entire time he had his arm around her waist...so much so that the crowd started shouting for him to let go and use both his hands to shake their hands.😆😆 But the man was a sweetheart.😳