Two nights ago, Shah Rukh Khan was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of the Arts and Literature) for an exceptional career. The Baadshah of Bollywood on French cinema, French kiss and more.
On a high!
The award makes me feel like I've taken Indian cinema to a higher level. It's not only an acknowledgment that I've been accepted by the French but that Indian cinema has been accepted too.
As a teenager I watched a lot of French movies.. many for their love scenes. Today, I'm being honoured by the French government, it's humbling!
Language no bar
There can be no comparisons between their films and ours. But you have to accept that Indian cinema too has progressed in terms of technique. No one is less than the other in anyway. I don't understand French. But, as I said before, I've kept track of French cinema. Their films are beautiful.. creative and sensual. The English sub-titles help! On the red carpet I've been to France several times, on vacation.
My first professional visit was for the screening of Devdas. The film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. We got a great welcome on the red carpet. And the credit for that goes to Bhansaliji (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) and Aishwarya (Rai). The French love our cinema!
Mistaken for Cruise
Later, I went back to shoot an ad film. I was put up at the Blitz. When I stepped out of the hotel, someone standing in a group not far from me, cried out, "Hey, look Tom Cruise!" His companion quickly corrected him, "No, that's SRK from India".
Mistaken for Cruise
Later, I went back to shoot an ad film. I was put up at the Blitz. When I stepped out of the hotel, someone standing in a group not far from me, cried out, "Hey, look Tom Cruise!" His companion quickly corrected him, "No, that's SRK from India".
Cop out
A few scenes of Don were shot in Paris. When they went there for a recce and to ask for permission from the police, a production guy was told, "Sure we'll provide you with tight security but I hope you're not planning on bringing down Shah Rukh Khan. If he's here, it going to get difficult to handle the mobs."
Eye say
I've never been offered a foreign film. Not that I'd be inclined to accept one if I was. Despite the fact that I've been around for years, I'm still learning about Indian cinema. Experimenting with a new language.. a new cinema.. will be doubly difficult. (Laughs) If I'm offered a foreign film that only requires me express my feelings through my beautiful eyes, without saying aword, I might give it the nod.
I did a Tamil film a few years ago. It was a nightmare. I spent sleepless nights trying to remember my lines. It's then that I realised that I should only stick to the language I know.
French kiss
I've never kissed on screen but am hoping to rectify that in the near future. I've always been a big fan of the French kiss but I've still to master it.
Hopefully, I'll learn the French kiss some day and get it right on screen.
Two nights ago, Shah Rukh Khan was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of the Arts and Literature) for an exceptional career.