Entertainment and politics should not be mixed: SRK

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who drew Shiv Sena’s ire for supporting Pakistani cricketers’ inclusion in the IPL, says he does not understand the “logic” behind the controversy and would have apologised if they had a problem with his film ‘My Name Is Khan’.

The 44-year-old superstar said what hurt him the most was the fact that his “Indianness” was questioned again and again.

Khan said that he would have apologised to Shiv Sena if the content of his film, released on February 12, was found to be offensive but did not do so because he didn’t understand the “logic” behind their anger.

“If they had a problem with my film, I would have apologised. I have done so earlier because I do not want to offend anyone with my films, my aim is to entertain. But this was about who I am as a person and my Indianness and I was hurt that I had to clarify it again and again,” said Khan in an interaction with Star News.

The actor said that he has “great respect” for the Sena leaders but feels that politics and patriotism should not have been mixed with entertainment.

“They are much older than me and I have great respect for them. But I did not understand why was the film dragged in between. I am one of those who believe that entertainment and politics should not be mixed,” he said.

“I did not understand why was my Indianness questioned. My father is a freedom fighter and I am proud of that,” he added.

India has dream run at Berlin film fest

India has a dream run with eight feature films including My Name Is Khan, Peepli Live and Manthan at the ongoing Berlin International Film Festival.

In its 60th anniversary, the festival has selected a wide range of Indian Bollywood and arthouse films in several languages. They are represented across different festival sections.

There are also Indian films in the European Film Market that runs parallel to the Berlinale. No wonder there are nearly a 100 Indians at the festival.

The eight features include Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan, Dev Benegal’s Road, Movie, Anusha Rizvi’s Peepli Live, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar’s Paltadacho Munis (Man Beyond the Bridge, Konkani), Umesh Kulkarni’s Vihir (the Well, Marathi), Kaushik Ganguly’s Arekti Premer Golpo (Just Another Love Story, Bengali), Shyam Benegal’s Manthan, Satyajit Ray’s Charulata and Madhusree Dutta and team’s Cinema City.

Moreover, Indian film director Sridhar Rangayan is on the Teddy Queer Film Award Jury, which honours the best festival films in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) context.

My Name Is Khan got a thunderous reception here. Dev Benegal’s Road, Movie opened the Generation 14-plus section for young adults.

“I am thrilled that my film is in Berlin — I’m living the dream. But it is also historic, as it is the first Indian film to be picked up for international distribution by Fortissimo Films,” Benegal told IANS.

MNIK a smash hit in Karachi

Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name Is Khan’ is turning out to be a hit big with the moviegoers in this Pakistani city with the film running to packed houses.

“Normally the 3 and 6 o’clock shows have reasonable attendance and the late night show is packed, but this time we have been witnessing a full house for all three shows which is remarkable,” Nadeem Mandviwalla, owner of Nishat cinema, said.

The movie was released on February 12 in two main cinema theatres and also at the only multiplex which is screening it on two halls with four daily shows to cope with the rush.

“The fact that the Shiv Sena made such a big issue of Shah Rukh Khan’s statement about Pakistani cricketers has also added to the interest in the movie,” Mandviwalla said.

It is also the first major Shah Rukh Khan movie to be released in Pakistan since the government allowed screening of Indian movies in cinema halls two years back.

“In the last two years this is the first proper Shah Rukh Khan starrer that has been released in Pakistan,” another cinema manager said.

Long lines and rows of cars can be seen parked on the busy M. Jinnah road outside the two big cinema halls that are screening ‘My Name Is Khan’, causing trouble for the traffic police who are finding it difficult to cope with the rush.

“Both cinema halls have limited parking space and the people coming to watch the movie are parking their vehicles outside on the main road and that is causing problems since this road is usually congested and has heavy traffic,” traffic police sergeant, Inamullah said.

“Definitely ‘My Name Is Khan’ has generated lot of interest in Pakistan and also contributed significantly to the cultural and arts scene, but overall I think the release of Indian movies is good for us as it means people have some entertainment to look forward too,” art critic, Muneeba said.

Famous television actor and writer, Talat Hussain, said that despite recent bomb blasts in Karachi, the people were still willing to come to cinema halls and theatres to watch movies and dramas.

“It is a good sign and it shows the never say die attitude of our people, and also that our cultural scene is vibrant despite the security issues,” Hussain said.

My Name Is KHAN opens to packed theatres across country

 

Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name Is Khan’ had a smooth opening on Friday across the country with Mumbai restricting the number of shows following Shiv Sena threat.

10 multiplex owners in Mumbai decided to go ahead with the screening while the single screen theatres decided against showing the movie for the time being, fearing violence.

Amid unprecedented security for the film’s release, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil drove to multiplex INOX to catch the first show of ‘MNIK’

Khan, who is in Berlin, tweeted early on Friday morning, “good m’ing mumbai. wotever the fate of the film, never wished this upon the city that made my dreams come true & gave me all. i belong to u (sic).”

In Gujarat, the first few shows were cancelled after VHP and Bajarang Dal activists staged protests and torched posters of the movie.

The film opened to full houses in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and several other cities.

“Post noon shows were all sold out in our theatres in Delhi. We are booked till Sunday,” Jayendra Banerjee, Vice President Satyam Cineplexes told PTI.

“Some 75 screens in Delhi and NCR are screening the movie. The film has also benefited from the Shivratri holiday today. On an average multiplexes are running 11 to 12 shows a day,” a distributor said.

The film’s release ran into trouble after Sena lashed out at Khan for supporting inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL.

In suburban Andheri, some Sena activists were canecharged and arrested after they pelted stones outside Fun Republic cinema, showing the film.

“We have arrested eight Shiv Sainiks who tried to disrupt the screening of the movie,” Deputy Police Commissioner, K Prasanna said.

“Am overwhelmed and moved to tears with all the support our labour of love is getting...thank you...,” filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted.

Over 1800 Sena activists were arrested by the Mumbai police to ensure the smooth release of the film.

In a massive security bandobast rare for a film, CCTV cameras with night vision were installed inside some of the cinema halls and policemen in large numbers were deployed.

Security personnel at cinema halls have been told to frisk every ticket—holder and check their bags as they enter the cinema.

’MNIK’ is the story of Rizwan Khan (SRK), a man suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome, who is mistaken for a terrorist in post 9/11 America and undertakes a long journey across the U.S. to prove his innocence to the love of his life, played by Kajol.

It is the first major Bollywood movie to be picked up by an international production house Fox Searchlight for overseas distribution. Fox reportedly bought the movie rights for a whopping Rs 100 crores.

Theatres dither on SRK film

The Maharashtra government suffered a jolt when the association of cinema hall owners announced that they would not be screening My Name is Khan on Friday — its intended date of release — due to the stringent Shiv Sena agitation against it. Throughout Thursday, the state egged them to reverse their decision.

“They should stand by what they want to do. They should release the film,” said the Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Chavan. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan who is currently in Berlin for the premiere of his film, tweeted. “My stardom is transient. My integrity in non-negotiable ...My being Indian unquestionable... Hope peace prevails.”

In an unexpected turn, the MNS chief, Mr Raj Thackeray, targeted his uncle’s party for its “double standards” in not attacking Amitabh Bachchan despite sharing a dais with a Pakistani artiste while pouring vitriol on Shah Rukh.

Police crack down on Sainiks, tighten security in theatres

In the aftermath of vandalism in theatres that are to screen Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name Is Khan on Friday, the police are cracking down on the cadres of the Shiv Sena. By Wednesday evening, 59 Sainiks were arrested for substantive offences and 1,600 taken into preventive custody. Heavy security continued to be in place in theatres across the metropolis.

“The arrests are still going on,” Himanshu Roy, Joint Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, said. The police have issued an advisory to all the 63 theatres screening the movie in a bid to prevent attacks inside the hall. They have been asked to leave the first three rows empty, post two security guards near the screens and install CCTV cameras.

The day opened with theatres and multiplexes closing the bookings for the film. Cinemax also suspended online bookings. However, bookings resumed in some theatres after a meeting of film distributors.

Tension prevailed in the Lalbaug area after the arrest of prominent Sena leader and former MLA Dagdu Sakpal. Ship-owners briefly downed the shutters, resulting in a bandh-like situation. Mr. Sakpal, however, was later released on bail. An incident of stone throwing was reported from Kandivili but, by and large, the day passed off peacefully.

Home Minister R R Patil told The Hindu: “There was some tension in Lalbaug, but the situation is normal everywhere. If someone rips a poster, you cannot call that an andolan. We are providing protection.”

Withdraw threat: FISA

PTI reports from Melbourne:

The Federation of Indian Students’ Association (FISA) has urged the Shiv Sena to withdraw its threat to prevent Australian cricketers from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament in Mumbai, arguing that this is not the right way of protesting attacks on Indians in Australia.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar met the right-wing party’s chief Bal Thackeray on the issue.

The FISA said the Shiv Sena’s approach was not correct, and Aussie players should not be targeted. “We will ask them [the Shiv Sena] to withdraw sanctions and, indeed, welcome them as partners of all Indians in Australia,” spokesman Gautam Gupta said at a press conference here on Wednesday.

MNIK protest: Over 1000 Shiv Sainiks detained

In a crackdown against Shiv Sena, over 1000 of its activists have been detained ahead of the release of Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name is Khan’ after the party stepped up its protest against the film over the actor’s remarks favouring inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in IPL.

“In the last 24 hours, a total of 1,023 Sainiks have been arrested. While 955 were picked up under the preventive action, the rest were put behind bars for different cases, including for protesting outside the theatre, vandalising screens among others,” police said.

Tight security has been provided to 63 theatres across the city where the movie is scheduled to be released on February 12, they said.

Guidelines have also been issued to all police stations by the city police chief regarding security arrangements.

The Sena has renewed its threat not to allow the release of “My Name...” unless the Bollywood star retracts his statement favouring inclusion of Pakistani players in IPL—3.

“We will not allow the movie to be released. Shah Rukh should first apologise to Balasaheb (Thackeray) and then only we can talk with him,” Sena leader Manohar Joshi said yesterday.

In wake of the Sena intensifying protests against Khan, leaves of the city policemen have been cancelled to ensure their full presence.

To further strengthen security, personnel from State Reserve Police Force and Home Guards will be deployed at the 63 theatres that will screen the film here.

Karan Johar, director and co-producer of the film, on Tuesday met Police Commissioner D. Sivanandhan to discuss security issues ahead of the movie’s release.

Shiv Sena vandalises multiplexes

The Maharashtra government’s assurances of security fell flat on Tuesday as the Shiv Sena, smarting from its botched attempt at disrupting Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s visit, vandalised theatres in Mumbai where advance booking for actor Shah Rukh Khan’s film My Name Is Khan had opened.

Following his Indian Premier League stand, the party has made Mr. Khan the target of a virulent campaign, to the extent of calling him a traitor and asking him to leave for Pakistan.

The Sena’s protests against the release of the movie kicked off on Tuesday, four days ahead of its release slated for February 12. Sainiks targeted multiplexes in Mulund, Bhandup, Ghatkopar and Kanjur Marg.

They went on the rampage smashing box office windows, throwing stones and disrupting the screenings of other movies.

54 arrested

By the end of the day, the Mumbai police had arrested 54 Sena workers for rioting. Preventive arrests numbering over a hundred were also being made.

The Sena’s attack took place even as the film’s director Karan Johar met Mumbai Police Commissioner D. Sivanandan on Tuesday morning to seek an assurance of security.

Centre for strong action against Sena, MNS

The Centre on Sunday asked the Maharashtra government to take strong action against groups responsible for the recent happenings in Mumbai, a veiled reference to the Shiv Sena and the MNS in the wake of their campaign against migrants and actor Shah Rukh Khan.

Interjecting Chief Minister Ashok Chavan while he was addressing the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security here, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the whole nation wants strong action to be taken against people responsible for recent happenings in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena and the MNS have taken a stand that Mumbai belongs to Marathi people only and people born and brought up in the state have first right over it.

Shiv Sena had also labelled Shah Rukh Khan as “traitor” for his comments that Pakistani players should have been included in IPL matches. Its activists tore down posters of the star’s forthcoming film My Name is Khan.

Mr. Chidambaram intervened when Mr. Chavan was referring to the need for strengthening of law.

My Name Is Khan to premiere in Abu Dhabi

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s much-awaited film ‘My Name Is Khan’ will see its world premiere in Abu Dhabi next week.

The film, which marks the return of the famous onscreen pair Shah Rukh and Kajol after a gap of eight years, is a love-story in the backdrop of post 9/11 America.

Directed by Karan Johar and co-produced by Khan, the film will premiere in Abu Dhabi on February 10 followed by an European premiere in Berlin two days later.

Thousands of fans are expected to descend on the Emirates Palace hotel in the capital to catch a glimpse of the 44-year-old star, who has a huge fan following in the country.

In the movie, Khan plays Rizwan, a man suffering from Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism), who embarks on an extraordinary journey across America to win back the love of his life, Mandira (Kajol).

’My Name Is Khan’ is one of the first Bollywood films to be distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures in the US.

Imagenation Abu Dhabi is in a partnership with Fox Star studios to distribute the film in the Middle East. The film will see its worldwide release on February 12.