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.

Shahrukh Khan or Aamir Khan?

Call them arch rivals or call them good friends, the Shahrukh Khan vs Aamir Khan war has been fought time and over now since the past 14 years. Surprising there has been no clear winner because both SRK and Aamir Khan are hugely popular in Bollywood, with a sea of fan following.

Back in 1994, Shahrukh Khan's movie Ram Jaane released along with Aamir Khan's Akele Hum Akele Tum released on the same day. Believe it or not, both of them bombed. While SRK earned some pittance in the north, Aamir Khan's movie got some revenue in Mumbai and western parts of India. Since then both Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan have been very conscious about the movies they sign or produce. Viewers may note that both are friends but careful not to be subdued by one another. For instance, Rang De Basanti, Aamir Khan's iconic film had Shahrukh Khan initially in the role of R. Madhavan which he had declined. Shahrukh Khan had also asked Aamir Khan to be a part of Om Shanti Om, item number, but Aamir Khan had declined, because he was "busy".

Also Shahrukh Khan's loss has been Aamir Khan's gain and vice versa. Darr was supposed to star Aamir Khan who had doubts about doing a villain's role. The gutsy SRK did it anyway. Similarly Lagaan was offered to Shahrukh Khan who didnt think it would work and Aamir Khan ended up making history out of Lagaan.

Cut to 2007- 2008. Both the Khans, Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan size up for the competition in a big manner and pay attention to marketing their films in a sassy manner. Last year in 2007, Shahrukh Khan did his best to promote and market his film Om Shanti Om in the best manner possible, and the efforts paid off. Om Shanti Om became one of the biggest all time hits in Bollywood. Contrast to Aamir Khan who used low key marketing and let the product for itself in the form of his directoral debut Taare Zameen Par. But just as collections picked up, Aamir Khan made sure that Taare Zameen Par was reached out to everyone. He held charity screenings, marketed star kid Darsheel Safary in the best manner possible and did everything to ensure that Taare Zameen Par stayed in public memory for ever. Not surprisingly, considering Taare Zameen Par is one of the best movies of our times.

In 2008; ie now, Shahrukh Khan has gone for low key marketing. He did not market Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi aggressively. He stated that it was not the right time to promote or talk about his film considering the tragic 26/11 scenario. Though there was low key advertising and promotion, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is doing roaring business, proving that Brand Shahrukh is Brand Shahrukh. Well, Aamir Khan who adopted a low key strategy for TZP is now going all ends fired for Ghajini. He built an 8 packs physique an impressive one at that, following SRK's six packs wonder which he build for Om Shanti Om. Aamir Khan has come up with slick promotion tactics for Ghajini, be it print, television or online. He had promoted Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na well, but for Ghajini, he is leaving no stone unturned. Aamir Khan recently asked theatre staff of Big Cinemas and PVR, which are playing Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, to adopt the Ghajini hair cut. It is evident: you are watching Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi with the aura of Ghajini around you!

Asked what SRK thought of Aamir Khan's recent strategy for Ghajini, Shahrukh Khan claimed, "I think it is a good strategy. You take the biggest brand in the country that is SRK and then use that platform to publicise yourself. I think Aamir rocks. The problem is that I cannot use any another brand because there is no one bigger than me".

Shahrukh Khan - friends Page

Shahrukh Khan, present Bollywood no.1 actor was born on november 2, 1965 in Talwar Nursing Home New Delhi. Sharukh's father's name is Taj Mohammed Khan and his mother's name is Lateef Fatima. Sharukh's father had transportation business and his mother was a social worker and a first class magistrate. Shahrukh has a sister called Shehnaz. Sharukh got married to gauri khan in 1991 and they have two childs: son Aryan Khan and daughter Suhana Khan.

Sharukh had his schooling in St Columba's School. He got an Honours Degree in Economics from Hasan Raj College Delhi. After his graduation he studied a Master's Degree in Mass Communications from Jamia Millia Islamia University.

Sharukh's career started from television serials. In 1998, he acted in various programs like the war drama series Fauji in which he played the role of Commando Abhimanyu Rai. Later he acted in the serial Circus which dealt with the lives of circus performers. It was after the death of his parents that he moved from New Delhi to Mumbai, Where he made his Bollywood debut with the film "Deewana".Sharukh got great praise for his action in both "Baazigar" and "Darr", in which he played negative roles. But it was in 1995 that he got the biggest break in his career when he played the role of a romantic lover opposite Kajol in "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge". That movie set some tremendous records in the history of Bollywood and gave him superstar status. After this huge success he frequently worked with big directors and recorded many more successful films. Some of his successful films include Dil to Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer-Zaara etc.

Sharukh founded a film production company with Juhi Chawla, Aziz Mirza. The company's name is "Dreamz Unlimited". However, The first two films they produced under this banner are disappointing flops at box office. At last with his third film he gave a hit, that is Chalte Chalte. Beside this banner he also got another company called "Red Chillies Entertainment". In 2004 he produced another film under this banner. That film was "Main Hoon Na" and was also a hit. After this film he again produced "Paheli", and it became India's selection for the Academy Awards but it didn't win any award. His next move was a co-production with his director friend Karan Johar. He even performed a song to attract the audience. But that film didn't do well at box office. Sharukh has so far acted in around sixty films and many more stage shows.

Sharukh is one of the undisputed persons in Bollywood. He always keeps himself away from any kind of contraversies. He has so solidated his position in Bollywood that almost every actress says that it is there dream to act with Sharukh atleast once in their life. Whenever he goes to any world tours he gets huge response from NRI people, the response is so huge that no other actor in Bollywood can even come close to Sharukh in this thing. Sharukh has already established some kind of craze, unique to him, with his unmatchable acting capability. As he has still got a long way in Bollywood, he is more likely to achieve even bigger success in his life.