Rob Schneider impressed with SRK's wit

Hollywood actor and stand-up comic Rob Schneider is impressed by Indians and their wit. "If you make an Indian friend, he's with you for life. But if you make an American friend, he's with you till you're in Mc Donald's," says the 48-year-old, who is in Delhi as part of his first Indian tour.

He says that he discovered the wonders of Indian traffic soon as he landed, when he got stuck in a 4am traffic jam. "It takes good brakes, a good horn, good luck and a lot of wit to be on Indian roads", says the American, who'll perform at the Black Dog comedy evening.

On being asked who'd he crack jokes on, he says, "Since I am in India, all my jokes would have to be approved by Sonia Gandhi."

Schneider says he'd love to visit ashrams and forts in Jaipur.

He adds, "I am on a short visit this time but next time, I will make time to go party in Goa."

What about Bollywood? "I'd love to act with Shah Rukh Khan as he's sharp-witted."

And, he wants to gorge on on butter chicken and naan.

Rob who?
Full name: Robert Michael Schneider
Age: 48
Nationality: American
Known for: NBC's comedy show Saturday Night Live, and his roles in hit movies such as Grown Ups and The Hot Chick
Spouse: Patricia Azarcoya Arce

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/773917.aspx

 

Shah Rukh to Help Build Brand Bengal

Shah Rukh Khan has agreed to be the brand ambassador for West Bengal on a request from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The chief minister made the request during an interaction with Khan on the sidelines of the inaugural function of the 17th Kolkata Film Festival.

"Yes, he has agreed," Banerjee told PTI Nov 10 when asked about her proposal to Khan and his response.

During the interaction, "King Khan" is reported to have told Banerjee that he would be in the state whenever the chief minister called him.

Recalling the shooting of some sequences of his film "Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman" in Darjeeling, Khan said he had fond memories of his stay there.

Earlier, speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the film festival, Khan sung paeans to Kolkata, describing it as the country's cultural and literary hub which produced the best of Indian cinema.

"I believe that the history of our arts, literature, poetry and films cannot be written, or ever begin without the state of West Bengal," Khan, who owns the Kolkata Knight Riders team of the IPL, said. 

Source: http://www.indiawest.com/news/1686-shah-rukh-to-help-build-brand-bengal.html

Shah Rukh offers to strip at IFFI opener

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan Wednesday turned an otherwise drab official function into a rib-tickling affair by offering to strip and reveal his bermudas on stage at the inauguration of the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Shah Rukh, the chief guest at the inauguration of the 11-day festival, was at his hilarious best and had union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni and Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in splits by threatening to strip down to his beach wear, which he claimed he was wearing beneath his formal slacks.  "I wanted to wear my bermudas, but then chose to wear my suit. But I am still wearing bermudas beneath. Do you want me to take my pants off," he asked, leaving the 1,000 strong audience laughing their guts out.  "The younger girls (referring to compere Tisca Chopra and actress Rituparna Sengupta) and Ambika ji are saying 'take it off, take it off'!" Khan chided in banter, after being at the receiving end of Soni's playful jibe at him in her introductory speech.  Soni had earlier said that it was "extremely easy" to get Shah Rukh Khan to attend the festival and that she did not have to approach any "powerful" friends and people to coax the Bollywood badshah to attend the mega I&B event.  "All I told him was that we need to him to come to the festival to raise the profile of the IFFI (International Film Festival of India). And he said yes," Soni said, even as Shah Rukh had the organisers waiting for nearly 40 minutes before he arrived at the venue.  The festival will screen more than 100 movies from 65 countries and will have special packages like 'Master Classes' by renowned film personalities like Milcho Manchevski, Hugh Welchman, Laurence Kardish and a first of its kind package of 3D and animation movies. Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/206885/shah-rukh-offers-strip-iffi.html

Shah Rukh Khan honoured by UNESCO award in Germany

Bollywood Badshah, Shah Rukh Khan is the first Indian to be honoured by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for his kindness – at a star-studded event in Germany on November 20.

Shah Rukh Khan the King has been honoured with prestigious UNESCO award for his charity engagements and social commitment towards providing education for children. The Award ceremony was held at Maritim Hotel in Duesseldorf, Germany.

The actor received the Pyramide con Marni award for his charitable work; bonded with Hollywood star Jet Li. Earlier the award was received by likes of Dalai Lama, Queen Noor of Jordan, Helen Mirren and Lionel Ritchie.

Shah Rukh was invited by UNESCO ambassador Ute Ohoven. The event was attended by eminent international personalities namely Jet Li, Naomi Campbell, Vladislav Doronin, Mikhail Gorbacheva, Chris de Burgh and Rosanna Davison among others.

SRK was asked to be a part of the event in March this year by the Director General of UNESCO. Special UNESCO ambassador Mrs. Ohoven sent him the invite as well. However, since the actor was busy with RA.One, the actor couldn't confirm his availability till October.

SRK says on twitter- "The Unesco award is called Pyramide con Marni and I am super excited because education for kids is most dear cause to me."

Along with the award, he also came back with many fond memories of his interaction with Jet Li for his 14-year-old son Aryan, who is a huge fan of the Hollywood action hero.

"Now my son will know I am way cooler than he thought. With my favorite star Mr. Jet li…yay!! Too happy," tweeted SRK.

After the hectic schedule and the moderate success of his latest movie Ra One, SRK is taking some time off, traveling around places. His next destination will be Morocco

Source: http://truthdive.com/2011/11/22/shah-rukh-khan-honoured-by-unesco-award-in-germany.html

SRK to open Iffi, Suriya to attend closing ceremony

 Southern superstar Suriya, best known for his super hit movies like 'Perazhagan', 'Vaaranam Aayiram' and 'Rakht Charitra', will be the guest at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (Iffi) on December 3. He will be joined by eminent French filmmaker Luc Besson.

Hollywood action actor Michelle Yeoh of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame will also be attending the closing ceremony.

Director of the Iffi secretariat Shankar Mohan confirmed that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan would be inaugurating the 42nd edition of the festival in Goa on November 23.

"Shah Rukh Khan will flag off the 42nd edition of Iffi in Goa. He will formally inaugurate the 10-day festival on November 23 at Ravindra Bhavan auditorium in Margao. With the world in mind and as a step towards the global acceptability of the festival, we have invited the biggest name in Bollywood today," Mohan said.

Shah Rukh Khan is acclaimed the world over for blockbuster movies like 'Ra.One', 'Om Shanti Om' and 'Don.' The festival will open with the screening of the Portuguese film 'The Consul of Bordeaux' directed by Francisco Manso and Joao Correa.

The 42nd Iffi is billed as the 'festival of change' and seeks to bring in novelty into the concept of the festival, he said. "The festival is a 'work of transition'. Acclaimed art director Thota Tharani has designed the concept of this year's festival," Shankar Mohan said.

The festival will screen more than 100 movies from 65 countries and will have special packages like 'Master Classes' by renowned film personalities like Milcho Manchevski, Hugh Welchman, Laurence Kardish; a first of its kind package of 3D and animation movies; retrospective of Luc Besson and Phil Noyce; a special package on 'Soccer in Cinema'; country focus on USA; screening of Russian classics and much more.

Apart from cinematic geniuses on show, the 42nd edition of Iffi expects the presence of luminaries like Bertrand Tavernier, Laurance Kardish, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Dan Wolman and others along with Indian celebrities like Raima Sen, Dino Morea and Prem Chopra.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-18/goa/30414389_1_iffi-ravindra-bhavan-42nd-edition

I'm sick of carrying cigarettes: Shah Rukh

Shah Rukh Khan is trying really hard to quit smoking. Earlier, he would be seen lighting the cancer stick quite frequently - almost like a chain-smoker. 

Not any more. "I have come down to six to seven cigarettes a day," SRK says. It is daughter Suhana who is helping her dad kick the habit.

"Today, when I was leaving home she wasn't happy to see me carry a pack. But one needs time to even give up a habit you have developed for so many years," says the superstar, who would prefer to be just a social smoker. "Actually, I am sick of carrying cigarettes," he says. Uh... give it to your spot boy to carry then, SRK.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Im-sick-of-carrying-cigarettes-Shah-Rukh/articleshow/10816565.cms

SRK at Unesco Awards

Shah Rukh Khan attends the 20th UNESCO charity gala at Maritim Hotel in Duesseldorf, Germany. (GETTY/GALLO)

Source: http://www.emirates247.com/news-in-images/srk-at-unesco-awards-2011-11-20-1.429051