My Name is Khan All Set to Woo the Audience

Recently, while hosting the screen awards function in Mumbai Shahid Kapur said to Shahrukh Khan that the title of his movie should have been 'My surname is Khan' and not 'My Name Is Khan' (pun intended). However, this just goes on to show the tremendous hype and expectations from the movie which is scheduled to hit the cinemas worldwide on 12th February 2010. This Bollywood extravaganza directed by Karan Johar witnesses the reuniting of some of the big names like Shahrukh Khan and Kajol after a space of 8 long years. Even Karan Johar is directing a film after Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna which was released way back in 2006. Between this hibernation as a director he went on producing movies, some good and some dubious. So the team has united and their creation will be out on Valentine Week this year.

Karan Johar who is well versed in making love stories (an ardent follower of Yash Chopra) is certainly releasing his film on Valentine week but is also experimenting for the first time with some global and serious issues of terrorism and its aftermath on innocent civilians. To advocate his genuine intentions he has made his favorite actor Shahrukh Khan as his mouthpiece in the name of Rizwan Khan as the protagonist of the movie. Even his selection of a Muslim hero as the central character is a well thought out move as it is the Muslims who have suffered the most since the twin towers collapsed.

The film is a love story at the heart as said by its director with the undercurrent of terrorism and its aftermath, the director and actor were quoted as saying it in the media. The film features Shahrukh as Rizwan who moves to San Francisco with his mother and finds love in Mandira (Kajol). The things change after terror strikes the country and the couple separates. Rizwan thus embarks on a notable journey across the US, inspiring people and initiating a revolution to bring back Mandira. Rizwan also suffers from Asperger syndrome making matters even worse for him. So, people find it quite difficult to understand him.

The director has tried to touch the major issues of the era in this venture and stakes are definitely high with him as he has a long and noteworthy star cast who has their followers all across the globe. So, the film might be all set to register a mega opening but it will be the content and its treatment that will take it to higher levels at world cinema.

Incidentally, current sensation Kareena Kapoor was also considered for the role of Mandira which was subsequently bagged by Kajol as she was the first choice of the director. To play the role of US President, Christopher B. Duncan was chosen as he portrayed US President Barrack Obama earlier on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. To play the role of young Rizwan, Tanay Chheda was chosen as he had done it before as young Jamaal in Slumdog Millionaire and as he is also recognizable among the global audience.

Karan Johar says on the very first day of shooting his cameraman Ravi Chandran said: 'I don't think you've ever shot something like...' So this might be a different Karan Johar that we may see here. Shahrukh Khan may also hope for a national award for his performance, the award which has eluded him so far. This was evident in his words during the promotion when he said "Acting is a higher spiritual experience for me. I would like to believe Khan has been a higher spiritual experience. Whether I get any award for this or not I think I will be evolved and rewarded anyways in my heart, mind and soul. I have a space in my library for a National Award. And I promise you before I finish I'll keep one there or steal one."

Prior to its release, the film has also got into controversy for some comments made by Shahrukh Khan on cricket. But as he once said, we should not mix two things and it is better that way. His point is note worthy and people should just wait and watch for the movie.

The intentions are clear from producer, director and the cast and it is the audience and critics that will decide how successful they have been in their endeavor.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Movie Review Treat For SRK Fans

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is an ordinary love story told extra ordinarily. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi works like magic and only simpers and whimpers towards the last few minutes. The hit team of Aditya Chopra and Shahrukh Khan impress once again. What can really work in Yash Raj films favor is that Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has been done at a low cost, compared to most of its extravaganzas which have flopped mercilessly. Aditya Chopra has underplayed the film without marketing it excessively. So the chances of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi to become one of the biggest 2008 is bright and clear. Treatment wise also, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi impresses. And yes, after Suman-Prem(Maine Pyar Kiya),Raj-Simran(DDLJ), Rahul- Anjali(Kuch Kuch Hota Hai), Aditya and Geet(Jab We Met), we have another hit Jodi...Surinder and Tani!.

Story of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi: 

By a stroke of fate, Surinder, a simple guy in his middle age happens to marry a considerably younger Taani(Anushka Sharma). The geeky Surinder works for Punjab Power Plant, Amritsar and lives an ordinary, unimpressive life, doing dishes, cleaning and cooking all by himself. He does not have the guts to tell his wife Surinder how much he loves her, because he knows his wife detests his loser personality. Surinder's friend Bobby Khosla(Vinay Pathak in yet another fine performance) tells him to go for a make over. At the same time, the oh-so confident Taani expresses to her husband that she wishes to participate in the dance show "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" that is being held in Amritsar.

Enters Raj, the make over version of SRK, courtesy Bobby Khosla in the dance competition. Yes, this is the good old Surinder trying to flirt and woo his wife Taani. She does not recognize that he is her husband and over a period of time, falls for his fun and frolicking ways. Now Surinder knows that Taani is actually in love with Raj, not Surinder. He has to show to Taani that Surinder is actually her real love, and Raj is just an illusion. How he does that forms the rest of the story.

Plus points and best scenes of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi:

1. Director Aditya Chopra shows that he is the master of romances as he enthralls the audience with his love package Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. He does a lot of justice to SRK-Surinder and his alter ego Raj.

2. The hilarious scenes featuring Raj in his flamboyant avatar are shot wonderfully. Shahrukh Khan actually rises above the script in many scenes giving his own signature set of expressions.

3. The Dhoom scene in which Anushka does a take off on John Abraham, ably supported by Shahrukh Khan is a steal.

4. The parody song, a tribute to yesteryear legends has been done in neat style by SRK.

5. The end credit is deftly executed; there is no song as is the norm today, but just a simple account of Surinder, about how he spent his honey moon. It is quite cute and you long to hear more.

Minus points of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi:

1. Agreed, Surinder goes for a drastic makeover in the form of Raj. But how come his wife Taani (Anushka), who actually stays with him, never finds out they are the same men. 'Raj, awaaz toh suna hoga?'

2. There were some scenes which tend to drag, like in the first ten minutes and towards the end of the film.

3. The dialogues were clichéd, we have heard them all, about the greatness of love and the ability of God to bring two people together. They RUB on the RAB factor like Rubber. At one point, you get tired of hearing 'rab, rab' all the time. In fact, these dialogues stick on like leech and hammer the flow of the second half towards the end.

Performances: Shahrukh Khan fans will love this one. SRK fever is full on here: you get two Shahrukhs as a treat here. You can see the simple cute SRK in a simpleton's role and also the charming avatar of Raj and Rahul which he has immortalized in several movies like Dil Toh Paagal Hain and DDLJ. Between Raj and Surinder here, Raj takes the cake performance wise, as SRK cuts through the role like knife through butter. Anushka is another surprise package; a fiery debutante, she does not seem to be overwhelmed that she is acting with the greatest star of the country. Anushka treads on high ground and gives a scintillating performance. Watch out, here cometh an actress to stay! Vinay Pathak as usual is brilliant. He seems a perfect foil for SRK.

Some Facts About Shahrukh

Bollywood actor, producer, and current host of the popular game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Shahrukh Khan is the super star and don of the film industry. Everyone knows about his personal and professional life but there are certain facts that are still covered.

In this piece of section we are going to discuss about some of the hidden facts of Bollywood Badshah SRK.

TIME magazine, one of the world's best magazines has described Khan as probably the most recognizable actor in the world with an audience of 3.6 billion. On the other hand, The Guardian newspaper described Khan as 'the world's biggest film star', as per the logic that the Bollywood has a global audience of 3.6 billion, while Hollywood has 2.5 billion.

Shahrukh Khan's wax figure has been prepared at Madame Tussauds in London where other than him there are figures of Amitabh Bachchan. In addition to this, he was awarded the 'Sword of Honor' award for Best Student during his time at St. Columba's school, New Delhi As per his physical features are concerned Khan often suffers from constant back pain.

In addition, he loves computer games and hi-tech gadgets. He likes doing several things simultaneously reading, playing with the computer In 2006 one of Khan's security guards was shot dead by another of his security guards. Khan is two award short of matching Dilip Kumar's record for most Filmfare Best Actor awards. Khan has won six Filmfare Best Actor in 16 years.

Khan's son Aryan appeared in a scene in his film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham playing a younger Khan. Khan was not very good at Hindi in school, until his mother promised to take him to the cinema if he passed. As he loved films, he got top marks from then on. His Wife Gauri is 4 years younger than him. He say's he saw Gauri at a nightclub when he was 18 at the time and she was 14. It was love at first sight.