What makes Shah Rukh Khan such a huge Bollywood star?
In the burgeoning Bollywood film industry, there are stars that are just as handsome as Khan.
There are other actors who are taller and more muscular than he is.
There are also a few who are just as charismatic and give riveting performances on the screen.
Yet, save for Bollywood cinema legend Amitabh Bachchan, few can match Khan, in terms of popularity.
I found out first hand what sets Khan apart from other Bollywood stars when he made a surprise appearance last Friday at a press briefing, hours before the Zee Cine Awards 2011 at Marina Bay Sands in which he was slated to perform.
The reason for his popularity is clear, he is simply a genuinely likable guy and a natural born joker.
King of the Hill or Court Jester?
The roomful of journalists instantly became excited as 'King Khan' breezed into the room, decked out in a pair of torn jeans and a dark blue shirt, his eyes hidden behind a pair of aviator shades.
Cameramen and photographers silently leapfrogged forward as they each tried to get closer for a better shot of the veteran actor-director/producer.
Khan introduced himself and gingerly sat himself down on the couch before taking questions from the press and almost immediately began dispensing wisecracks.
A reporter asked him about his visits to Singapore and he replied that he actually dropped by weeks earlier for an event and enjoyed the hotel's facilities.
"They very sweetly allowed me to go down to the nightclub even though I was underage," deadpanned the 45-year-old Khan as his audience broke out in laughter.
Khan may be a superstar but he was not above some toilet humour.
"The toilet seats deserve special mention. I have never seen toilet seats like that. The toilet [seats], they open on their own. It is like there is a little gremlin inside who opens it for you," said Khan as he mimicked the 'toilet gremlin'.
"It's fantastic! Just for that I will keep coming back here!"
It took a few moments for the laughter to die down but Khan brought it back minutes later.
This time, it was his response to a question about being a cultural ambassador for India that tickled the funny bones of the gathered reporters.
"My wife (movie producer Gauri Chibber) often tells me I'm very uncultured and ill disciplined so I don't know if I am the right person to be the ambassador of culture for my country," he replied, sporting a wry grin on his face.
"I would like to believe that I will be the ambassador of bringing smiles and happiness to different parts of the world through our cinema."
Parting shot
Towards the end of the conference, Khan launched into the customary spiel about all that is good about Singapore and expressed it is a good place for Indians to send their kids to school to "learn about the modern world".
However, he was interrupted by a shout from the audience.
"Would you send your children here?"
Khan paused to contemplate the question before deflecting it with humour.
"Both my kids (Aryan, 13 and Suhana, 10) are [already] studying. I will make some [children] specially for schools in Singapore.
"I'll give you my wife's number. Give her a call later. 'Let's do some children. We need to have them study in Singapore!'" joked Khan, shaking his fist while wearing a look of mock determination.
The function room reverberated with laughter and then applause as Khan thanked his audience and posed for pictures before waving goodbye and disappearing out the door.
In the burgeoning Bollywood film industry, there are stars that are just as handsome as Khan.
There are other actors who are taller and more muscular than he is.
There are also a few who are just as charismatic and give riveting performances on the screen.
Yet, save for Bollywood cinema legend Amitabh Bachchan, few can match Khan, in terms of popularity.
I found out first hand what sets Khan apart from other Bollywood stars when he made a surprise appearance last Friday at a press briefing, hours before the Zee Cine Awards 2011 at Marina Bay Sands in which he was slated to perform.
The reason for his popularity is clear, he is simply a genuinely likable guy and a natural born joker.
King of the Hill or Court Jester?
The roomful of journalists instantly became excited as 'King Khan' breezed into the room, decked out in a pair of torn jeans and a dark blue shirt, his eyes hidden behind a pair of aviator shades.
Cameramen and photographers silently leapfrogged forward as they each tried to get closer for a better shot of the veteran actor-director/producer.
Khan introduced himself and gingerly sat himself down on the couch before taking questions from the press and almost immediately began dispensing wisecracks.
A reporter asked him about his visits to Singapore and he replied that he actually dropped by weeks earlier for an event and enjoyed the hotel's facilities.
"They very sweetly allowed me to go down to the nightclub even though I was underage," deadpanned the 45-year-old Khan as his audience broke out in laughter.
Khan may be a superstar but he was not above some toilet humour.
"The toilet seats deserve special mention. I have never seen toilet seats like that. The toilet [seats], they open on their own. It is like there is a little gremlin inside who opens it for you," said Khan as he mimicked the 'toilet gremlin'.
"It's fantastic! Just for that I will keep coming back here!"
It took a few moments for the laughter to die down but Khan brought it back minutes later.
This time, it was his response to a question about being a cultural ambassador for India that tickled the funny bones of the gathered reporters.
"My wife (movie producer Gauri Chibber) often tells me I'm very uncultured and ill disciplined so I don't know if I am the right person to be the ambassador of culture for my country," he replied, sporting a wry grin on his face.
"I would like to believe that I will be the ambassador of bringing smiles and happiness to different parts of the world through our cinema."
Parting shot
Towards the end of the conference, Khan launched into the customary spiel about all that is good about Singapore and expressed it is a good place for Indians to send their kids to school to "learn about the modern world".
However, he was interrupted by a shout from the audience.
"Would you send your children here?"
Khan paused to contemplate the question before deflecting it with humour.
"Both my kids (Aryan, 13 and Suhana, 10) are [already] studying. I will make some [children] specially for schools in Singapore.
"I'll give you my wife's number. Give her a call later. 'Let's do some children. We need to have them study in Singapore!'" joked Khan, shaking his fist while wearing a look of mock determination.
The function room reverberated with laughter and then applause as Khan thanked his audience and posed for pictures before waving goodbye and disappearing out the door.
Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainmentfeatures/view/1105201/1/.html
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