'I really compete with myself'
VIJAY DANDIGE (Contributor)

17 September 2007

Flippant, mock-serious, hilarious, Shah Rukh Khan was all that and more as he regaled his audience during the launch of the music of Om Shanti Om in Dubai


HE KEPT the audience waiting. He came an hour late. But it must be part of his innate charm, which explains his immense popularity, that Shah Rukh Khan, while apologising for his tardiness, openly joked about it and still managed to draw guffaws of laughter. "Sorry for being late. But when you're a superstar, you tend come late," he muttered impishly. "You know, I'm staying in the hotel. I've been here two days, and still I managed to come late. That's a record."

The Bollywood superstar was in town to launch the music of Om Shanti Om, his latest movie directed by Farha Khan, on CDs and mobile in the UAE. The film's heroine, Deepika Padukone, dressed in a flaming red chudidaar, was also present at the event organised by T-Series, Viva Entertainment and Hungama Mobile at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Dressed in a black trouser and a white shirt, his long hair dangling behind in a pony, the actor was like a laid-back, cool dude — flippant, mock-serious and hilarious. His fast-delivered jokes drew repeated laughter. He also looked absolutely toned up, with all abs, pectorals and a hard, flat belly.

He admitted that this body-type was a script requirement for Om Shanti Om. "The actor that I'm playing in the film is an actor of 2007. And I feel that young guys of today are very aware of their physicality, of having abs, being dudish etc. So in the film I'm like a young star," he said. Then joked, "I'm still working on the younger part. But I'm not going to take off my shirt for every second movie that I make."

When asked why he chooses Dubai for the launch of many of his events, his immediate retort was, "Why not? Dubai has grown, in every sense. It's the biggest hub for business and entertainment. And it's close to home. Besides we have friends here. Confirming the buzz that he owns property in Dubai, the actor admitted that he has a place at The Palm. And he hopes to get it by November this year.

When asked whether his preference for the kinds of roles has changed what with films like Chak De and Om Shanti Om, which are different from his usual malasa films, the actor said, "Actually I'm just an employee of the directors and producers who offer me roles. I don't do more than three films a year. The kind of stuff I get I do from the heart and I continue doing it. I know many a times a film comes along like Chak De and people say, 'Oh, he's now playing different roles.'

I think the media, journalists, film analysts, critics and others, with due respect to them, tend to look for trends. But there's no trend. I get a story, I like it and I just do it off-the-cuff sometimes. A story is what turns me on. If I've a story that turns me on, I do it. But there is no concerted effort where I say, 'Okay, I'm playing a different kind of role.' So my preference has not changed."

He had made a comment recently to the effect that Hollywood offers were not coming his way. When asked whether that has changed since then, he joked, "Since then, nobody has still come. They don't know what they're losing!"

When asked how it feels to be competing against star families, like the Bachchans and the Roshans, he said, "First of all, we're good friends. We don't spend time thinking about competing. I've done films with all of them. Of course, I can't call Sr Bachchan my friend as he's much older to me. Secondly, you know I really compete with myself. I teach this to my kids as well. I think in our line of artistic work, what we need to do is to compete with our last best effort. We need to improve ourselves, to raise the bar for ourselves, to get the expression right for ourselves. We need to have blinkers on, like a racehorse, and run straight and not look here and there. There are no numbers, like number 1, number 2 or 3 or 4. It might sound clichéd. But I just work for myself. It's not a business product. It's a creative thing."

About the success of his offbeat film Chak De, he said, "As I said before, I do a film if I like the story, if it's nice, entertaining, done differently. Chak De was one of those films. It's a different film. And I'm glad that people can take on a film which had virtually nothing: no song, no heroine, with 16 new girls, with me in no romantic lead, and about a sport which is not very popular. So its success is very humbling and it gives you faith that you can make entertaining films which say something different.

When asked how he maintains his passion for film making and keeps himself from becoming complacent, Shah Rukh Khan said, "I've no big pleasures or big distractions in life. I've been working for 16 years now. And it's easy to get bored or complacent. I think everything else that I got, I make sure of my core job, which is to get that one expression right. I don't think much harder than that. My whole dedication is to wake up every morning, go to work, like any other person, and strive to get that one expression right that immensely satisfies me. Sometimes the nicest things that I do people don't even notice them. And I don't get disappointed with that, as long as I am happy that I have done that. I'm extremely detached to the work that I do. I enjoy it. It fails, it saddens, but when it succeeds it makes me happy. And then I think, can I get the next expression right? And these small simple things help me not get complacent. And I have a family and friends who don't think much of me as an actor. Every morning they tell me I suck. And that makes me think: let me try harder. There's no alternative to hard work."

Supplied picture
This new look - complete with a six-pack - he attributes to his next film, Om Shanti Om.



'I'm an emotional chameleon'
By Sonali Raha, tabloid! Editor
Published: September 17, 2007, 00:05


When Shah Rukh Khan came to Dubai 18 months ago as global brand ambassador of an Indian bank, he had looked tired. Good, but still tired — a superstar moving invariably towards middle age.

Now he seems to have turned the clock back.

Fresh-faced, long-haired, his white shirt open a few more buttons than usual, he looked relaxed and happy. And fit.

This new look — complete with a six-pack — he attributes to his next film, Om Shanti Om. A film where he says he plays "a young, brash, cool, dude-y superstar, the kind of man who has long hair and rides a Harley or a Ferrari".

In Dubai on Saturday night for the launch of the film's music album, the re-invented Khan spoke about his new film, new look and new, very young, heroine.

Excerpts from an interview:

What different things can we expect from Om Shanti Om, considering it's a Farah Khan and Red Chillies production?

I remember every time I did a movie — Don, Swades, Chak De — people said is this going to be different? I've heard a lot of young people say 'my film is off the beaten path, zara hathke'. But I'm not going to say that.

You will have the same six songs. You will have the same hero whom you've been watching, hopefully, for the last 16 years. But I have a six pack and never had that before [laughs]!

We will be telling a story that you may have heard before. My mother told me the same story for the last 15 years of her life. But I wanted to hear it every night because she'd say it differently.

That's what we do in films. I've done romances, revenge dramas, mean films, action films. But every time we've tried to tell it differently, do it differently. Shoot it differently.

It's not rocket science. The story [of Om Shanti Om] will not blow your mind. It's about reincarnation, one continuous story that moves from the Seventies to 2007.

Do you believe in reincarnation?

No I don't. But that's what we do — deal in the unreal. Films ARE larger than life. Even when I do a film based on real life like Asoka or Chak De, it's still exaggerated. I've heard people say, 'oh, that film's not real'. But which film is?

Where do you see people sing songs? When in life do you have background music that's perfectly in sync with your emotions?

Deepika, your heroine in the film, is half your age. How did it feel romancing her?

It did feel odd in the beginning. Even with Priyanka [Chopra, his co-star in Don], I'd felt a bit odd. I'd tried explaining to her a scene I had done earlier and then realised she was a child when she saw that movie!

In Dilwale [Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge], where I worked with Kajol, there's this scene where I'm concentrating hard as she walks away, saying she'll turn back if she loves me. There was this similar scene with Deepika. I talked about that scene in Dilwale with her. That's when I realised Deepika was only eight or nine when she saw that movie!

Of course, it feels a little odd to say I love you to someone so much younger. But then, she's taller than me [laughs], very educated, very confident. You get used to the role.

You've been experimenting with your looks in recent films. Do you enjoy doing so?

I do it only if the role demands it. But I'm an emotional chameleon. I don't need to LOOK different to BE different. I can talk differently, walk differently for the role.

A lot of people said I looked old in Kank (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna). That's how I wanted to look. I have these wrinkles around my eyes [points at them], I wanted them to look more prominent. I was this cynical, tired man with a 9-year-old son. Why should I look young? I grew a beard too but Karan [Johar, the director] wanted it off, so no beard.

For Chak De, I had another look altogether. I was quiet, I was strong. I walked differently. When I walked into a room, everyone knew that it was Kabir Khan, the man in control.

I'm a nuance-based actor. Sometimes I tend to do too much. This time I wanted to do a quiet role. Kabir Khan is an emotional yet strangely macho man. Some people asked me, 'Are you trying to be a Naseeruddin Shah or an Om Puri?'. Absolutely not!

I'm not insecure about anyone else. I enjoy life. I'm insecure about myself. I compete with my last film.

I've said this again and again, I'm like a race horse with blinkers on. With every film I try and cross a barrier — an emotional or physical barrier — that I have set myself.

Okay, so what about your new look in Om Shanti Om?

In Om Shanti Om I play this young, brash, cool, dude-y superstar. He's rich, spoilt. He expects everything to go his way. So I grew my hair, like John Abraham or Zayed Khan. I worked on a six-pack. I took off my shirt!

I play both this man in the Seventies and his reincarnation in 2007. And Farah kept laughing at me, saying the Seventies suited me just fine.

You have a birthday coming up [November 2]. Any fears about growing old?

No, none. I enjoy life. For my next film I want to do something totally demented. I want to jump down from 10 storeys.

SRK's top films

Difficult to choose just 10, but here's a totally subjective list, in no particular order:

Chak De India
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Devdas
Dil To Pagal Hai
Main Hoon Na
Kal Ho Naa Ho
Veer-Zaara
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
Music to our ears

Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, the two stars of Om Shanti Om, released the music album of the Farah Khan film at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel on Saturday, nearly two months ahead of the film's scheduled release.

It was a T-Series and Viva Entertainment event. For the first time, a Hindi film's music will be available for full download on mobile handsets, courtesy Hungama Mobile. In the UAE, ring back tones are available.

"Music is intrinsic to any film, whether as a soundtrack or songs," Khan said. "Our films are all musicals. The music album gives you the first taste of the film."

Vishal-Shekhar's music for Om Shanti Om has "a great modern sound," he said. "Their music is very right here, right now."

On another note, Khan dismissed all rumours of rivalry between him and the Bachchans. "I can't call Mr Bachchan a friend because he is so senior, but Abhishek is a friend," he said.

He also disclosed the secret of his energy. "I have no other big pleasures or distractions in life, except films. Everything else is peripheral to my core job of working 10-12 hours a day, hoping to get just one expression right. I'm still very excited about this," he said.

Om Shanti om

Directed by: Farah Khan
Produced by: Red Chillies Entertainment
Inspired by: Karz
Music: Vishal-Shekhar
Star cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone (debut Bollywood film), Arjun Rampal, Kirron Kher, Shreyas Talpade
Scheduled release date (India): November 9
'Madhuri's always there'

Madhuri Dixit, once Hindi filmdom's number one heroine, returns to the screen later this year. This is what Shah Rukh Khan, her co-star in several films including the memorable Dil To Pagal Hai, said about the actress: "A superstar like Madhuri is always in our hearts, in our minds. Yes, she felt she needed time to get married, have children, lose weight. Now she's back.

"I met her about seven months ago when I was shooting Chak De, and we spent a long time together. I didn't even feel she'd gone anywhere."

JS

SRK was on the Indian program yesterday.
King Shah's 'Palace' was featured with all its splendour and opulence. Lives as King Shah.

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
JS

SRK was on the Indian program yesterday.
King Shah's 'Palace' was featured with all its splendour and opulence. Lives as King Shah.

There is only one Shah Rukh Khan; the man is simple, down to earth and naturally bonds with any people.

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
JS

SRK was on the Indian program yesterday.
King Shah's 'Palace' was featured with all its splendour and opulence. Lives as King Shah.

There is only one Shah Rukh Khan; the man is simple, down to earth and naturally bonds with any people.

On the personal side, he is all you said he is.
i like the guy and enjoy his movies.
But have you seen his home? Saw it fm the outside in Bombay. I did not realize the beauty of it inside until yesterday on the show. It featured the inside. decor: pure luxury; bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms with furniture..... oohhlaalaa!! swimming pool saw his wife pooja's room before with Diwali celebrations and the Koran there as well and he admitted he did not learn his scripture but wants his kids to know it along with wife's.

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
JS

SRK was on the Indian program yesterday.
King Shah's 'Palace' was featured with all its splendour and opulence. Lives as King Shah.

There is only one Shah Rukh Khan; the man is simple, down to earth and naturally bonds with any people.

On the personal side, he is all you said he is.
i like the guy and enjoy his movies.
But have you seen his home? Saw it fm the outside in Bombay. I did not realize the beauty of it inside until yesterday on the show. It featured the inside. decor: pure luxury; bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms with furniture..... oohhlaalaa!! swimming pool saw his wife pooja's room before with Diwali celebrations and the Koran there as well and he admitted he did not learn his scripture but wants his kids to know it along with wife's.

Shah rookh is the man. I saw him twice once in GUyana,the cheaptest and best consert in Guyana. Well rafi did a lot a charity shows in guyana, meaning he charged little. Then i saw him two months ago in london, Rukh am talking about. NO, wish u had taped that show.

So what Quran/islam he wants his kids to know? He teaches them all. Its amazing, he is a very secular muslims yet he does not flaunt it by offending the more conservative Muslims. He does not eat in public during ramadhan nor do i think he drinks. His father is from Peshawar from some Afghan pathan clan. Dr. Kumar has a 400 page book of him written by Karan Johar and i brushed thourgh some pages.

He had been featured several times on the Indian programs; airs sat & sun mornings.
One journalist spent a day with him to write about his daily life. that was when I saw the pooja room lighted diyas & the Koran on a stool.
He is a fab guy. Saw him in TO in 2004.
With with Preity,Rani,Pryanka,Arjun,Saif..
He recognized the GY and TT fans. Did I scream?
Paid for a VIP so was in the 4th row low down.
Will check the book you mentioned.