Shah Rukh Khan says "I Don't Believe in VIP Culture"

By: Rajdeep Sardesai / CNN-IBN
In an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan spoke about his detention at the US airport and denied that it was a publicity stunt for his upcoming movie My Name Is Khan.

Shah Rukh said it was an unpleasant experience and he would never do something like this for publicity.

Here is an excerpt of the interview -

Rajdeep Sardesai: Critics are saying that Shah Rukh Khan’s detention in America has been hyped by Shah Rukh himself and it is a publicity stunt for the upcoming film My Name Is Khan. How do you react to that?

Shah Rukh Khan: As a matter of fact my film is coming much later, there are still some eight to nine months to go and we normally don’t start promotion of the movie this early. Moreover, it is not very positive when someone asks you for vouching for you to enter someone’s country. Though I don’t want to say this word, I would say it is a bit disrespectful.

Rajdeep Sardesai: People are detained and questioned in American airports post 9/11, this is a regular practice there. Then why should suddenly Shah Rukh Khan take it as a personal upfront? Was it that how can you detain me, I am Shah Rukh Khan?

Shah Rukh Khan: No, I am very humble about what I am. I may talk about myself when I talk about my films otherwise I am very humble. I am very scared of rules and therefore always abide by them. Like everyone even I had those instances when I have been subjected to very thorough special security checking.

Rajdeep Sardesai: The problem perhaps in India is that our security system is not tough enough. We still work on VIP system where a Shah Rukh Khan or a big politician can easily walk through an airport without being checked.

Shah Rukh Khan: Whenever I am flying I always stand in queues and make my children do the same.

Rajdeep Sardesai: You don’t believe in VIP culture?

Shah Rukh Khan: No, I never called anyone asking please get me inside faster. I have not done that even in a night club. Even in India I don’t believe in saying ‘don’t you know who I am’ when I am asked for my identification.

Rajdeep Sardesai: When you were detained at the US airport you never said to the officers there that ‘don’t you know who I am’?

Shah Rukh Khan: If you have to say that then I think you are not known enough. I’ll die before saying that.

Source: ibnlive.in.com

Kaminey Movie Review: Strong at Box Office

NEW DELHI: Vishal Bharadwaj's unusually titled and much-awaited dark thriller "Kaminey", starring Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, is turning out to be a strong player at the box office.


"'Kaminey' is the biggest opening for any Shahid, Priyanka and Vishal Bhardwaj film so far. We are completely delighted with the moviegoers reaction who have loved the film. The response has been fantastic," Girish Johar, AVP, UTV Motion Pictures, told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

The movie which released Friday marks the acting debut of "Taare Zameen Par" writer Amole Gupte, who has impressed audiences in the film.

The audience are lapping up the movie for a heady mix of Shahid's two avatars, edgy and power-packed music and fast-paced narrative.

"'Kaminey' has received rave reviews and the movie has witnessed strong box office collections across locations. With the opening up of multiplexes in Mumbai today (Monday) we have seen the expected rush in advance bookings and expect the strong response to continue throughout the week and the coming weekend," said Tushar Dhingra, COO BIG Cinemas.

Though the movie did not release in Mumbai Friday thanks to the swine flu scare in Maharashtra, it hasn't affected the collection of the film, said Amit Awasthi, manager, programming and operations of Spice Cinemas, Noida.

"'Kaminey' has done very good business. We have collected a gross of around Rs.2.5 million over the initial weekend. The reaction has been mind-blowing as the holiday period proved to be a boon," said Awasthi.

"However, it was only 75 percent of the audiences who liked the film despite good reports and the rest didn't quite appreciate it," he added.

Nevertheless, "Kaminey", which released with 1,200 prints worldwide, is scoring well over multi-starrer "Life Partner", which released on the same day.

"We are running 26 shows for 'Kaminey' in a day while six shows are kept for 'Life Partner' which has not been liked at all. The comedy is not that good. We collected only Rs.400,000 over the weekend with the latter movie," said Awasthi.

A source from PVR cinemas said: "'Kaminey' has done exceptionally well and the reaction has been fantastic. We are hoping the movie will stretch at least for the next two weeks. However, 'Life Partner' has done only average business."

The movie has now opened in Mumbai theatres.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

Kaminey Movie Release Stopped in Mumbai Due to Swine-Flu Scare

Mumbai: Kaminey, one of the most awaited films of the year, will not be released in the theatres of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane this Friday due to the swine-flu scare.

UTV Motion Pictures is going ahead with the release of its Shahid Kapur - Priyanka Chopra starrer across the country and worldwide on Friday, but it will be released in these areas only after the three-day theatre shut down.

The decision has been taken following the directive from the Maharashtra government to close down theatres as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Sidharth Roy Kapur, CEO, UTV Motion Pictures, said, "There is immense buzz and anticipation around the release of Kaminey which is clearly one of the most awaited films of the year.

"There is already a heavy rush for paid previews of the film nationwide and in the US, UK and Dubai. We are going ahead with the release of the film this Friday across the country and worldwide in 1200 screens. This will not include the markets of Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai following the directive given by the government."

He said that UTV will release the film in these regions as soon as the cinemas re-open.

Source: sify.com