I've been meaning to blog about two issues for a while. I realise it might be a bit outdated but bear with me.
Shah Rukh and controversies seem to be going hand in hand of late.
One of them is the BCCI(Board of Control for Cricket in India for the uninitiated) has spoken out against Shah Rukh Khan using the cricket matches as a platform to promote his films.
He appeared at the Twenty20 finals in Johannesburg wearing a velvet shirt sporting the words 'Om Shanti Om'. After the game ended, he went on to the field and congratulated the players personally. He appeared again at the fifth ODI against Pakistan in Jaipur and the BCCI has taken umbrage at this.
"This is a much bigger platform than being on a private television station. A match is watched by the entire country, there is no better way to create recall value. We have to be understand that," said an angry official.
Ummmm. Ohhhhhhhhhk.
I do not see what the problem really is. I think Shah Rukh was just there as a genuine cricket fan along with his fans. He went there for the love of the sport and of all people I don't think he needs any more publicity.
And this has just been an attempt to stir up some news and generate a certain amount of controversy. It's time the BCCI grew up and went back to doing what its supposed to do. Give us the best cricketers possible.
Moving on, Manoj Kumar apparently has gotten hot under the collar over the way he's been potrayed in Om Shanti Om. He is threatening to sue the director Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan for " a clear cut defamation of character and a deliberate attempt to humiliate him."
He goes on to say that it is a conspiracy to humiliate and insult him and that SRK had injured his soul. And that he was named Bharat by the people for his nationalism and patriotism and that only anti-nationalistic people could humiliate nationalism.
Wtf? Ever heard of a sense of humour? The movie just made fun of the way he covered his face with his hand, his patriotism didn't even come into the picture.
Why in India are we so intolerant? Why do we take offense at the smallest of issue and refuse to take anything in the right spirit. Rajesh Khanna and Sooraj Barjatya were mocked too and I don't see them making a huge issue out of it and talking of resorting to legal action. They realize its just a joke.
But it's all over now. Shah Rukh and Farah apologized to Manoj Kumar and all is well now. He doesn't want the scene to be deleted.
Publicity maybe? Possible.
Comments