SRK: Superhero or Superstar?

What is the difference between a superhero and a superstar? Both are idolized by millions and beloved by hordes of fans. Both make us believe in the unimaginable. So are they really that far apart? Bollywood badshaah Shahrukh Khan seems to think so, and he should know as a superstar playing a superhero in his upcoming film Ra.One.

“A superhero’s larger purpose is always very selfless and a superstar’s larger purpose is to stick to films,” SRK explained. ”I’m not selfless. My highest purpose in life is to make a great film.” That’s quite a bit of honesty coming from an actor, who are often considered modern-day heroes.

Any mention of Ra.One get SRK talking about his pet project. His character in the film, G.One, is said to be made up of “solid electricity”. It seems the new technological era has lent itself well to a new kind of superhero. “In olden times, superheroes could come from planets because they were out of understanding. Now, the quantum part is more difficult to understand than the macro part of it.” Ra.One will take the superhero mythology in a new direction, hoping to separate itself from the plethora of popular comic book heroes. “We felt that if we took the modern, new creation [Internet] of man and say a superhero and super villain can be created out of it, that would be really unique.”

Praise for the film has already been pouring in, even though it is set to release on Diwali, which is months away yet. “The other day, somebody told me my car shot is like Krrish and GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra. It didn’t happen, so we did it digitally. If I had known we’ll go digital, I’d have done it even bigger.”

But being righteous and heroic isn’t the only thing on Shahrukh Khan’s plate. Releasing soon after Ra.One will be the Farhan Akhtar directorial sequel Don 2, which releases in December. “As an actor, it’s good fun – to be so evil and be so good. It’s very exciting. I have this cool look, long hair and beard in [Don 2].”

Imran Khan flags off SRK’s show

Actors Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif take part in a dance 

performance during the music launch for the......

Talks were on with several top stars, but it’s Imran Khan who will flag off his mamu’s (Aamir Khan) arch rival, Shah Rukh Khan’s TV show, Live My Life. He will be the first star to have a fan get a taste of his ‘regular’ life on the show produced by Red Chilies Idiot Box for UTV Stars.


The actor, in the midst of promotions for Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, has shot the episode with his 19-year-old fan Rhea from Chennai. Imran first sent a black Mercedes to pick her up from the domestic airport terminal. The psychology student, also an avid poetess, was welcomed by Lavani dancers at the hotel lobby. Next, Imran sent her a handwritten welcome letter along with kheer khodoms, a Bengali sweet that he relishes.

During the second half of the day, she attended a script reading session with director Punit Malhotra, followed by a complete makeover by Imran’s personal stylist, Neha. The Delhi Belly actor ensured that she attends a quick bartending class, since he has an avid interest in it.

Then, Neha, who is also Imran’s best friend, accompanied Rhea to a mock media interaction session, after which she also met his mother-in-law, Vandana Malik. Lastly, she had a dinner date with the actor at his favourite restaurant, Gajalee. He decided on the menu in advance and had the staff at their beck and call.

Shifa Maitra, head of programming (shows) says that although the show could have flagged off with SRK, Imran was a better fit. “He’s young, popular, at the top, and iconic, especially after Delhi Belly. We had conducted a research with youngsters who said we should start the show with him. And more so, he was enthusiastic about the exercise,” she says, adding, “We don’t expect a busy star to actually work out the details of a day the way he did.

He surprised us. He was shooting, but he still sent his stylist and make-up person to attend to Rhea.” Shifa informs that Imran remembers Rhea and chose her from all the applicants for his episode because she has been consistently writing to him after I Hate Luv Storys (2010) released. “Rhea and he are similar. They are intelligent, soft spoken and dignified. That got them talking,” she says. “They parted with a smile and I am sure they will be in touch for long.”

I’m not selfless: Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan poses for pictures
 during a news conference for his forthcoming......

He might be donning a contoured suit to play a superhero in his forthcoming project Ra.One, but actor Shah Rukh Khan says that in real life, he is far from the self-sacrificing man with superpowers on the big screen.

“A superhero’s larger purpose is always very selfless and a superstar’s larger purpose is to stick to films. I’m not selfless. My highest purpose in life is to make a great film,” the 45-year-old says.

Unlike any superhero heard of till date, SRK’s character in the movie is made of ‘solid electricity’.
“In olden times, superheroes could come from planets because they were out of understanding. Now, the quantum part is more difficult to understand than the macro part of it,” he says, adding, “We felt that if we took the modern, new creation (Internet) of man and say a superhero and super villain can be created out of it, that would be really unique.”

Praises have already started pouring in for the movie that releases around Diwali.
“The other day, somebody told me my car shot is like Krrish and GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra. It didn’t happen, so we did it digitally. If I had known we’ll go digital, I’d have done it even bigger,” says the actor, who is also coming out with a PS3 game on the movie.
Apart from playing a superhero, Shah Rukh will also be seen in a negative avatar in the much anticipated Don 2: The Chase Continues, which releases in December.

“As an actor, it’s good fun – to be so evil and be so good. It’s very exciting. I have this cool look, long hair and beard in the film,” he says.

SRK, Ranbir bid final adieu to Shammi Kapoor

Mumbai: Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who shared screen space with Shammi Kapoor in "Chamatkar" (1992), paid his homage to the late actor at his Malabar Hill home on Sunday evening.
Shah Rukh, who came in a black BMW, did not stay inside the house for very long and also restrained from speaking to the media.

Also present was actor Ranbir Kapoor, who is Shammi Kapoor's grandnephew.

Shah Rukh Khan attends Shammi Kapoor's funeral

Shammi had recently acted in Ranbir's forthcoming film "Rockstar" that is being directed by Imtiaz Ali.
Actor Anil Kapoor, who is related to the Kapoors, too came to pay his last respects.
Shammi Kapoor, the dancing star of the 1950s and 1960s who revolutionised the image of Hindi film heroes with his carefree attitude and flamboyance, died in Mumbai on Sunday morning. He was 79.

Terrified of SRK, comfy with Sallu: Katrina

Katrina Kaif is getting set to shuttle between two big projects — one each with industry rivals Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. While shooting for Ek Tha Tiger with ex-boyfriend Salman will begin next week, Yash Chopra’s romantic film with Shah Rukh goes on the floors in a few months.

And although the actor is excited to work with the latter, she’s scared and unsure of what to expect. “I’m terrified of working with SRK. I don’t know what it’s going to be like, but I hear he makes you feel comfortable,” she says, adding, “The other day, I wanted to ask him what I must do if there’s a scene where I am supposed to look at him longingly, but I can’t act when I stand in front of him. What if the words don’t come out? What if I choke?”

Even then, Katrina claims that unlike many of her contemporaries, she hasn’t grown up in awe of her co-star. “I’m sure he hasn’t seen me either when I was a kid. We both come with a clean slate in that regard,” she jokes.

Meanwhile, Ek Tha Tiger marks her return to working with Salman, three years after co-starring in Yuvvraj (2008). She says, “Salman and I acted in two successful comedies together and one film that didn’t do well. I was a part of Ek Tha Tiger even before they approached him. After New York (2009), Kabir (Khan) and I became good friends and he narrated the film to me a day before I started shooting for Zindagi… Salman was cast much later.” She adds, “It was a coincidence. Why should we not do a film together? We are grown-ups and I am comfortable working with him.”

When asked whether it’s tough to be working with the archrivals, Katrina denies it vehemently: “This is a misconception in the media.

All of us are fairly responsible individuals and decently well-behaved people. We all have separate and different equations, which are
sometimes cordial and sometimes not so friendly. Everyone must respect that person’s individual equation. Camps don’t exist.”

Freida bowled over by SRK's chivalry

Simi Garewal made a comeback this year
 with 'Simi Selects India's Most Desirable"
 on Star World which is being avidly
watched and talked about!

Host Simi Garewal unplugged India's hottest export and Slumdog Millionaire girl Freida Pinto on her show Simi Selects India's Most Desirable. Pinto shared one of those sweet moments where she came across the chivalrous King Khan, Shah Rukh

Guess who will do the talking this time on Simi Garewal's chat show? The host unplugged India's hottest export and Slumdog Millionaire girl Freida Pinto. Her movie made her a name to reckon with in Hollywood and also gave her an opportunity to attend many award functions (a distant dream even for the creme de la creme of Bollywood).


Guess who will do the talking this time on Simi Garewal's chat show? The host unplugged India's hottest export and Slumdog Millionaire girl Freida Pinto. Her movie made her a name to reckon with in Hollywood and also gave her an opportunity to attend many award functions (a distant dream even for the creme de la creme of Bollywood).

Well, that was not the only excitement that gave Freida a chill down her spine, meeting Shahrukh Khan was also one of those few anxious moments. Well, what had the lady in awe of SRK was his chivalry. The actor came to her rescue during one of her oops moment of wardrobe malfunction at the Golden Globe award function. Freida recalls, "I was already nervous due to the magnanimity of the event and it only added after I met Shah Rukh. H e was not at all nervous but told me that he was nervous too just to make me happy.

Well, that was not the only excitement that gave Freida a chill down her spine, meeting Shahrukh Khan was also one of those few anxious moments. Well, what had the lady in awe of SRK was his chivalry. The actor came to her rescue during one of her oops moment of wardrobe malfunction at the Golden Globe award function. Freida recalls, "I was already nervous due to the magnanimity of the event and it only added after I met Shah Rukh. H e was not at all nervous but told me that he was nervous too just to make me happy.

Unfortunately, I accidentally stepped on my gown and ripped it. I had to hold it in my hand which was very uncomfortable. But then Shah Rukh held it for me to put me at ease. He mentioned that he was doing it so that I don't step on it yet again. That was a lovely moment. He isn't known as the King Khan for no reason and always be the Badshah." Well Jai Ho to this camaraderie!

Unfortunately, I accidentally stepped on my gown and ripped it. I had to hold it in my hand which was very uncomfortable. But then Shah Rukh held it for me to put me at ease. He mentioned that he was doing it so that I don't step on it yet again. That was a lovely moment. He isn't known as the King Khan for no reason and always be the Badshah." Well Jai Ho to this camaraderie!

'I'll never tie rakhi to SRK, Salman, Aamir'

Rakhi Sawant is a Bollywood actor, item
girl and television talk show host....

She’s named after the festival, but Rakhi Sawant does not believe in Raksha Bandhan. The 32-year-old item girl says she’s named Rakhi because she is her own rakshak (protector).

“Rakhi Sawant ko kisi bhai ki raksha ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mera Jesus hi meri raksha karta hai,” she says. But if there’s one person she’d like to tie a rakhi to, it’s MNS chief Raj Thackeray. “That is because he is also from Maharashtra.”

She explains: “Ab har kisi ko thodi shauhar ki nazar se dekh sakte hain. Baakiyon koi to bhai, bhai saahab hi kahenge na.” A small pause, and she adds, “I will never tie a rakhi to the three Khans — Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir. You know that I will not tie a rakhi to Baba Ramdev either.” Does she have a message for her fans on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan? “Mujhe lagta hai ki border pe jo jawaan hain woh hi sab maaon aur behno ki raksha kar rahe hain. Har ladki ko unhe rakhi bhejni chahiye.” So, will she send them rakhis, too? “Mere paas address nahi hai.”