By Meenakshi Shedde, IANS,
Berlin: Shah Rukh Khan, in freezing Berlin for the red carpet premiere of “My Name Is Khan”, may be physically far from the turmoil back home, but is mentally in Mumbai. The superstar says he has “no ego” and will clear any “misunderstanding” with Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.
“I know Balasaheb and Uddhav-ji (Thackeray) well, and if there’s a misunderstanding I’ll clear it. I’ve no ego, no false self-respect. It (‘MNIK’) has released in London, New York, Dubai, Berlin, and I’ll be happiest if the Mumbai audience could see it.
“‘My Name is Khan’ does not take a stand, it only points out things. When I join politics I’ll take a stand. Inshallah, there will be no issue about my statements, we can have a discussion and work it out. All I want to do now is walk the red carpet, have some champagne and hope that all will be fine,” Shah Rukh told IANS in an interview here.
The Shiv Sena had opposed the film’s release after Shah Rukh refused to apologise for saying that Pakistani cricketers should have been included in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches.
Sena activists had vandalised several theatres in Mumbai that were to screen “My Name Is Khan”, but fans of ‘King Khan’ thronged cinema halls Friday, giving the thumbs down to the Sena hooligans.
On the attacks on theatres showing his film, Shah Rukh said: “I have no stand, no ideological issue. I’m a mere actor. I’m genuinely sorry if my comments have hurt someone. I’m in the business of making people happy.”
The star was effusive in his praise of his director-producer Karan Johar.
“Karan Johar is exposed to a lot more international films than previous filmmakers. He decided not to rest in a comfort zone and work only for money, but take the chance to make our mark in the world. The Berlinale provided us a perfect platform. It takes guts to get out of your comfort zone and ‘My Name Is Khan’ is the first step.
“For Kajol and me, we were the right people at the right time and right place. Indian entertainment believes that love will conquer all, but here we’ve dressed it up in a way the Western audience likes. I’m lucky to be born in the time of Karan Johar and his direction.”
(Meenakshi Shedde is India Consultant to the Berlin Film Festival and curator for film festivals worldwide. She can be reached at [email protected])