Shah Rukh Khan Talks About OSO

Your film Om Shanti Om is partly set in the ‘70s. Does the ‘70s have any special fascination for Farah and you, since there were elements even in Main Hoon Na?

Om Shanti Om traverses eras from the 1970s till 2007. We are not spoofing anything from that period but paying a proper tribute to it by recreating the era. Since I was born in 1965, I have obviously grown up on the films of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Not many are aware that the controversial term ‘Bollywood’ was first coined in that decade. So you will get to see the bell-bottoms, the side-locks, the dog-collars and of course the music. In the first half we even got a legend like Pyarelal to contribute some authentic ‘70s music. I personally love the music and cinema of that era.

What was director Farah Khan’s contribution to your ‘retro’ performance here?

Oh she just said that the acting in those days used to be a bit over-the-top and since I am prone to overacting I would carry off that kind of acting pretty well! I must say I am particularly grateful to Kirronji for her helping me with detailed nuances!

The title intrigues us, since the cult song of that name was also co-composed by Pyarelal with Laxmikant, and was from Karz, a film revolving around reincarnation like OSO. There was even speculation that it was a remake of that film. So could you explain the title?

Oh that was Farah (Khan)’s idea. In my previous birth I play Om Prakash Makhija, a struggling junior artiste who is in love with Shanti, a top heroine. His friend, played by Shreyas Talpade, tells Om that he will never become a big star with such a name. But in the present birth he is Om Kapoor, a superstar who has no talent at all! He calls himself OK for short, since the director tells him that if he gives a good shot, and also because it’s his abbreviation!

So how would you describe the film?

Different people will have their opinions, but since we have always planned it for a Diwali and Idd release it is obviously a light film with elements of a period drama, music and emotions.

And was the now-famous six-pack abs also Farah’s idea?

Yeah it was. I went into body-building because she thought that my 2007 avatar of a superstar needed it, for most heroes of today are very particular about physiques. I was always keen on this too, but thanks to my back problems I was unable to follow up on it. So now I did back exercises, some 500-700 crunches every day and diet control too. I have always looked up to Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan for being so disciplined and focussed in this matter. They guided me too. I would now request all young people to please work out everyday and keep a healthy mind in a healthy body. My kids love my abs and I am glad I made the effort!

And did you really need the conglomeration of stars in a song ?

Yes, the backdrop of the story is the film industry in these four decades. I am very touched and thankful that so many of my seniors as well as contemporaries very sweetly obliged Farah and me, especially Dharamji, Shabanaji, Jeetuji, Mithunda and others. Even Rakesh Roshanji came in.

Will a newcomer like Deepika Padukone match the image of a top heroine that she plays in the film, especially opposite you?

Deepika is very talented and in fact I hope that we won’t let her down! I am a big fan of her father Prakash Padukone and so I cannot afford to fail her! By the way she’s taller than me and that’s her biggest plus point for me!

The release dates of Saawariya and your film are clashing.Couldn’t that have been avoided?

(Shrugs) I agree that business is affected to an extent when two big films release on that day, but I am hoping for the best. I do believe that both films will make their mark and I refuse to think that we have the edge just because Shah Rukh Khan is there. Saawariya may have two debutant stars but it is a huge film. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a very big name and Columbia Pictures is a huge brand. So I do not think that OSO is a bigger film. Besides , I must say that I am emotionally attached to the team behind the other film. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has made Devdas, which will remain one of my career-highlights. I have a very deep relationship with Ranbir and Sonam, who are children of my very dear friends Rishi Kapoorsaab and Anil Kapoor, and there are Salman and Rani too.
In fact I am as anxious about OSO as any father would be about his kids doing well when they go out into the world.

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SRK & MJ!

The undisputed King of Pop and the most successful entertainer of all time according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Michael Jackson, and King Khan Shah Rukh of Bollywood, have more than just the superlative King in common other than being two of the most famous humans walking planet Earth.

And if you think we’re talking about Michael’s alabaster skin or his signature moonwalk in rhinestone studded trousers, then just ‘beat it’! It’s the Kings’ hair and aviator styles that’s making for haute conversations despite Team India’s marvellous performance at the T20 World Cup.

Whilst cheering on the Indian team, Six Pack Khan, with his wild, dark hair and aviators, bore an uncanny resemblance to MJ’s signature look of the 90s, So much so, that it appeared as if SRK would break into a moonwalk right there on the pitch!

And what a thriller that would have been! But what’s MJ got to do with SRK’s look? Nothing really except that SRK makes wild hair and aviators look real good. Never mind the moonwalk, he gives us a
‘Dard-e-Disco’! Instead of bringing sexy back a la Justin Timberlake, SRK’s just brought six packs in, Khan style!

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Did you know, before the final look for Shah Rukh was decided for the first half of the film, he had to try out different hairstyles of the popular heroes of the 70’s era . The list included Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Shashi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna. And he looked adorable in most of them. Do you know the secret behind Shah Rukh’s perfect ‘six- pack abs’- well it is sheer hard work! While he was shooting for the song Dard-E- Disco, he had a makeshift gym arranged on the set and would work out in between shots! Now that is what we call – Dedication! Inspite of a stunt double being on the sets, Shah Rukh insisted on doing his stunts himself. Be it flying in the air, or jumping through fire! All for the love of ‘Om Shanti Om’! A very heart warming incident happened on the sets, when ‘Mithun Da’ was shooting for a song. As soon as he entered the sets-the entire crew started whistling and clapping. Infact, the craze was so much that he was almost mobbed. Everyone wanted to get a picture clicked with him- And guess who was clicking some of those pictures –King Khan himself! Sooo sweet! Guess who will be spotted after a hiatus of 4 years-in in this film ?! Well, it is none other than the stunning Karisma Kapoor! She will be shaking a leg with Shah Rukh Khan. In fact she was quite nervous to face the camera after such a long gap. But as usual, she gave a perfect shot- as the crew cheered her on. There are many ways in which Farah Khan has made the making of ‘Om Shanti Om’ a very special experience for her entire cast and crew. One of them was- when she gifted personalized- T-Shirts to everyone from the spot boys to the Stars of the film. And guess what some of the T-Shirts say, “ You have made it big- Om Shanti Om.” So if you see someone wearing a black and gold T-Shirt like that, you know where it’s from! In the first schedule of the film- which lasted for over a month, a huge set was put up on Helipad. The Executive producer of the film, Sanjeev Chawla, built a five star lounge -for the entire cast and crew to chill out after a hard day’s work . Now that’s what we call Generous! Deepika Padukone was recommended by her director Farah Khan, to watch all the super hit films from the 70’s – to help her prepare for her role as a film star of that period. Guess what happens when Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt – remove their jackets, stand on the bar and dance together !! Whew! Fireworks!!! That’s exactly what happened when the four hunks were shooting for a dance number in Om Shanti Om! The crowd was going simply berserk! Just the sight of those guys dancing together sent the entire crew , and the crowd in a frenzy!!! The stars were having a ball themselves dancing on the peppy number!! Now this is what we call a hot and happening shoot!!! Did you know Om Shanti Om will be the first of its kind in which almost the entire crew will be seen playing bits of roles in the film. Including Farah Khan, who supposedly has a very funny sequence with Shah Rukh. Well the list is endless , from the DOP, to the entire Direction team , to the Executive Producer, to the Hair dressers, to the Art director and hold your breadth Spot Boys as well…they are all there!! Can just about imagine the fun on the sets! courtesy of omshantiomfilm.com

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Shah Rukh Talks OSO

Lately in news for his six packs, the Badshah of Bollywood aka Shah Rukh Khan speaks about his forthcoming film Om Shanti Om and how Bhansali’s Saawariya is not a threat.

The music of Om Shanti Om is catching really fast.

Vishal and Shekhar have given it a lot of thought before deciding upon the music for Om Shanti Om . The interesting thing about the music of OSO is that it has been made in two contrasting periods, one of the 70’s and one for 2007. So we hope that the music of both the eras is liked by audiences. Pyarelalji has composed the music for us for the first half of the film that depicts the 70’s. Farah too has a good sense of music. I do not have a great knowledge of music but I have been fortunate that over the years my films have always had good music directors. And the singers in the film Abhijeet, Sonu and Shreya have all been great in the film. There are two to three songs that are too good. I think youngsters will like Dard-E-Disco a lot apart from which we have also included dance mixes as well. Om Shanti Om , I would say, has a lot of variety to offer as far as music is concerned.

What sets Om Shanti Om apart from the conventional?

At the outset I would say that it is not possible to make every person happy. And also I am not in a position to explain how different Om Shanti Om is. Although the film is about reincarnation and has lots of drama, it has its humourous moments too. As a producer, to recreate the sets of the 70’s was very exciting for me and no filmmaker has tried to relive that period in Hindi cinema before. Hence it was a very enriching experience for me. Also I have a personal thinking that the term Bollywood has been derived from the 70’s cinema. Nor has it has been taken from the 50’s or 60’s or the 90’s. Bollywood has been identified by the global audience as having side locks, wearing bell-bottoms and having long hair and to portray that was exciting. I wanted Farah to do the same for her first film Main Hoon Na when we rewind to my youthful days. Om Shanti Om is a film from the 70’s and yet modern.

Do you personally have a belief in reincarnation?

No, I do not believe in it. I don’t think I can be born again.

How difficult was it for you to build your body that too at such short notice?

See nothing is difficult to achieve if you desire to work for it. Even our film has a main line that says everything turns out to be OK in the end and if it is still not ok then there is hope. I had hope even at my age that I can have abs and my children like it as well. Earlier I had a back surgery and I was told to have regular workouts to improve the flexibility. Four months back I was on diet control. I also took some supplements like amino acids and fat burners and I did 500 to 700 crunches. That has made a difference. And I feel good now having done it. I would advise all youngsters to do the same and stay fit because a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.

Whose idea was it to shoot a song with you wearing nothing but a shirt?

Farah always had this dream that I perform a song for her without a shirt. She tried it in Kaal where she made me wear a banian (vest). When I looked at bodies of Salman, John or Hrithik I felt that even I could try to compete with them, though they all have much more fantastic physiques. But I did not want to feel ashamed of myself and so I tried my best. I think that I have sort of succeeded in my endeavour. So the idea was certainly Farah’s but I had set a condition that I would bare my chest when I have a good one. I put in the efforts for the last three to four months and feel I have done just fine.

Tell us something about the characters in Om Shanti Om..

One of the characters is Om Prakash Makhija. And Shreyas who plays a very important role in the film always reminds him that he will never become a star because of his name which is Om Prakash Makhija. He is a 70’s character who is a struggling artist and wants to be a superstar but never succeeds. The second character is Om Kapoor who is a superstar but is not talented. These two characters along with Shanti (played by Deepika Padukone) form the storyline.

We hear that Om Shanti Om has a lot of comedy so then is the film a spoof of sorts at the 70’s era?

The film is certainly not a spoof. Of course there is humour in the film because Farah has a good sense of it. There are a lot of funny scenes in the film which we haven’t shown in the promos as yet but you’ll get to see it later in the trailers in October. What I like about Om Shanti Om is that it is a gritty film that has loads of drama but also has its funny moments. All in all Om Shanti Om is 2 ½ hours of pure entertainment and hope it’s happy 2 ½ hours for all who watch the film.

Was it necessary to rope in so many stars for the film?

The film is set in two different eras. One from the 70’s and the other in 2007 and most importantly the film is set in the film industry. So we felt that if we get genuine stars in the film that will make it more real and bring in a sense of reality. I am grateful to all the stars who gave their time and efforts for Om Shanti Om . Today’s actors are good friends but I must thank all the yesteryear stars like Dharamji, Shabanaji, Jeetusaab and Mithunda. They all came down at just one call to be a part of the 70’s era in the film. And I am really touched by other seniors like Amitji and Rakesh Roshanji who also are part of the movie. The film was about real people and reality, thus I felt it was necessary to get these original stars and not duplicates.

What is the best compliment that you got for the six pack abs that you sport in the song Dard-E-Dsico?

My son tells me that I am no longer fat and that I look better than before. But he thinks that I can still improve on my fitness. So I will keep at it.

Shah Rukh, you had called Salman the Dadasaheb Phalke of Bodybuilding. Now that you yourself have managed six pack abs, what would you say?

I am just a debutant. In fact I should get the ‘Best debut for bodybuilding’ award. Salman, I think, was responsible for the wave of physical fitness that came into India which was followed by Hrithik in modern times. Both keep encouraging me. In fact I showed the first photos of my body to them and they said it looked OK. I am happy that they thought that I looked nice.

Lastly, do you consider Saawariya as a possible threat to Om Shanti Om?

Firstly, whenever one makes a film they make it hoping that it is liked by one and all. To be honest, Sanjay is a close friend of mine. He has given me one of my most memorable films with Devdas which I think is a highlight of my career. I have a lot of respect for him as a friend and as a filmmaker.
Saawariya is being presented by Columbia Tristar. The film has big names like Salman Khan and Rani Mukherjee and also has two newcomers Ranbir and Sonam who love and respect me very much. In fact given a choice I would not want to compete with such a huge film and at the same time I love my film so much that I fear for it.
Business wise it would have been wiser if both films had released separately but since it is clashing, all we can do is wish all the best to them and wish that our film does well too. Ours is a comparatively small film but having said that I will try my best to make Om Shanti Om the nicest film of the year. There is no competition but yes, Om Shanti Om is my child.

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India Wins and SRK is Overjoyed!

 

”I and my son strongly believed all through the final between India and Pakistan that we would win. At no time did we feel that India would lose. Fortunately for us, our young cricketing heroes proved us right,”Shahrukh said in his reaction over India lifting the T20 championship.

Speaking to a television channel, Shahrukh, who was in Johannesburg along with his son to watch the exciting final encounter between India and Pakistan, said it was his strong belief in the ability of the Indian youngsters that led him to suddenly decide early this morning to go to South Africa to lend support to the team.

”I was very young when the Indian team won the Cricket World Cup in 1983. But now I wanted my son to watch closely our young cricketing heroes battle in the field. Fortunately for us we were not disappointed,”Shahrukh said.

Referring to his recent film ‘Chak De India’ featuring him as a coach of the women’s hockey team that trains them to emerge victorious in the World Cup, Shahrukh said,” it is from people like Kapil Dev and Madan Lal (members of the 1983 world cup winning team) and Mohinder Singh Dhoni (Captain of the T20 world cup winning Indian team) that we draw inspirations for films like ‘Chak De India’ and not the other way round. In fact, it is these sportsmen who are the real heroes of our country. As actors, we only try to draw inspiration from them in our acting.” Expressing his thanks to people like BCCI president Sharad Pawar, Industrialist Vijay malya and Congressman Rajiv Shukla for arranging his visit to South Africa at such a short notice, Shahrukh said,”I am extremely happy to be present at such a historic moment in India’s cricketing history.” ”I am also happy that this win by the Indian cricket team as well as the brilliant show by the Pakistani cricket team has given the much needed phillip to sports in the subcontinent and brought cricket back into the centrestage after the unfortunate loss at the 2007 cricket World Cup,”Shahrukh said.

Refusing to compare the World Cup win in 1983 and the T20 win, Shahrukh said,”I would not like to make any comparisons. A win is a win. In that sense, the present win is as much cherished as the 83 win.” Bollywood actor Suneil Shetty also expressed elation at the Indian team’s win.

”When Misbah-ul Haq hit that last shot, I had my heart in my mouth. I thought we had lost it. Its only when they showed Srishant catching the ball that I realized India had won,”Suneil Shetty told a TV channel.

Suneil said it was a really exciting tournament that they had witnessed in South Africa this last forthnight.

”I believe that T 20 cricket is here to stay and will give strong competition to one day cricket,” he said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Pradesh BJP chief Harshvardhan also congratulated the Indian cricket team on its historic win.

”I am happy that we are World champions. We feel on top of the world on the cricket team’s triumph,”Dr Harshvardhan said in his congratulatory message.

Courtesy of UNI

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Kareena gets the Role!!

We told you about Kareena Kapoor stopping at nothing to get the female lead in Robot. Well she has proved that when you want something you have to get it yourself. Her dream has come true yet again. She gets to work oppisite her favorite actor and  her childhood crush Shah Rukh Khan! Shah Rukh will produce the film and it will be directed by Shankar.

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SRK’s German Fans!

Shah Rukh Khan and Om Shanti Om appear to be the hottest thing in Germany right now. What else could explain the mass hysteria for the film there? Says director Farah Khan, “A hand-written petition, signed by 10,000 German fans, has been sent to Dorothy Brennar (the director of the Berlin Film Festival) to get Om Shanti Om featured at the Berlinale. Apart from that, the Om
Shanti Om website (omshantiomfilm.com) has gotten at least two lakh hits and posts from Germany, Poland, France, Austria and Russia. They all want the film to be released there, which is shocking!”

Khan adds that these SRK fans come from all over Europe to attend the Berlin film festival and hence want OSO to be shown there. “I have asked our distributors, Eros International, to release the film in Russia and thus open up a new market for us there,” says Farah, elated.

Euphoric feeling

However, as much as she’s delighted with the response and euphoria towards her film, Farah says she can’t show OSO at the Berlinale. “The festival is scheduled to take place in February. It’ll be too late to release it there,” she says.

Shah Rukh Khan, who is also aware of the petition, adds, “OSO will release in Germany, along with the rest of the world, on November 9.”
Farah adds that Shah Rukh has a huge fan following in Germany. “Main Hoon Naa did very well there after we dubbed it in German. His fans keep asking him to come there as they’re dying to meet him, and now they’re desperately looking forward to OSO. They have a lot of fun watching our films, and all the songs, dances and emotions that go with it,” she says.

The German love for SRK doesn’t end there. “The German magazine Rapid Eye is doing a book on the making of Om Shanti Om. They came here to cover the shoot and even sent their photographers. Mushtaq Sheikh is writing the book on OSO in India, while Rapid Eye will be in German,” says Farah.

Courtesy of Mid Day Mumbai

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Ads Want Pantless SRK

The attention that Shah Rukh Khan has been getting because of his new bodybuilder bod has been overwhelming. SRK was expecting many offers with shirt off now that he has done it before. Some people went a little farther. Shah Rukh said, “Now forget about people requesting me to remove my shirt. I’ve got advertisers asking me to remove my pants, too.”

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Six Months of Work Paid Off!

Men will always be boys. Be it their car, house or bank balance, size does matter. At least till they turn 40.

Then, all the locker-room talk is about keeping score – like how many minutes, calories and kilometres you clock on the treadmill. Or how many pull-ups you grind out.

And with even Shah Rukh Khan – who spent two decades proclaiming he was an actor, not a bodybuilder – showing off his newly acquired six pack, the bar has been raised even higher for 40+ men who’re busy bench-pressing, squatting and running their to way to body beautiful.

‘‘By 40, men are settled in their jobs, have a picture postcard family, drive a hot set of wheels, own a house… personal fitness is the next obvious thing to look into,” says Ajay Chand, a trainer at Delhi’s Ozone gym. Chand reveals that the number of 40-year-olds enrolling at the gym includes businessmen and industrialists looking to work off their stress. ‘‘These members make for 40% of total gym users and the numbers are growing,” he says. Adds Abhimanyu Sable of Pune-based Abs Fitness and Wellness Club, ‘‘I have many clients post-40 wanting a sixpack like Shah Rukh’s.” Of course, other Bollywood stars like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar have long been fitness icons. And then there’s Shekhar Suman who’s turning heads with his brand new biceps. But it’s SRK’s metamorphosis that has really inspired people. The reasoning: If he can do it, so can I.

But be warned, King Khan’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. According to his trainer Prashant Sawant, Shah Rukh trained and dieted for over six months. ‘‘Shah Rukh has been working out regularly since his role in Don. But to achieve this look we needed something different. I put him on a high-protein, low-carb diet along with special exercises for his chest, shoulders and back. The result is for all to see.” Can just anyone do it? ‘‘If you really want it and work with a good trainer, you can get it,” he says.

Courtesy of Times of India

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SRK to cheer for India!

Shah Ruk Khan along with Vijay Mallya and Rajeev Shukla will fly on  Liqour Baron’s private jet to Johannesburg on Sunday to the 20/20 Cricket World Cricket Cup. India will play against Pakistan.

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