Shahrukh Proud to be known the 'Ladies Man'

Seated at a restaurant in London surrounded by 10 women, including his wife Gauri, when Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh says that he 'likes being with girls', you simply have to believe him.

'I don't have many boyfriends'

"I don't have many boyfriends. I like being with girls - and probably that's why people think I'm a little girlish. But I don't have any such male bonding with anyone...," Shah Rukh said in the first episode of Discovery Travel & Living's upcoming series Living With A Superstar - Shah Rukh Khan.

Most of Shah Rukh's closest friends are of the opposite sex - Kajol, Farah Khan, Juhi Chawla and Rani Mukerji.

Among his best known male friends is filmmaker Karan Johar, with whom he has done many hit films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kabhie Alvida Naa Kehna. Shah Rukh's most-awaited film of the year My Name Is Khan is also Johar's baby.

Living With A Superstar

The new TV series Living With A Superstar... chronicles Shah Rukh in his real, day-to-day life. It aims at taking viewers into the private spaces of the 44-year-old, who is fondly known as King Khan by many of his fans and colleagues.

The 10-part series, which has Shah Rukh's voiceover, will go on air on February 26 at 9 p.m. with a slice of his life from a family vacation in London.

Meet the everyday Shah Rukh

He is seen taking a rickshaw ride on the street, cheering for a street performer, playing football with his children Aryan and Suhana at Hyde Park, bingeing on food, smoking, visiting Madame Tussaud's wax studio - and most of all just being himself.

In subsequent episodes, viewers can know about Shah Rukh's relationship with his children, wife, sister and friends, unique style of shooting, time management, interactions with fans and staff and about his house Mannat.

'This is our biggest show ever

The series, jointly produced by Shah Rukh's Red Chillies Entertainment and Blue Mango Films, is the biggest ever by the channel, according to Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific.

"This is the biggest thing we have done. We have shot in Dubai, San Jose, San Francisco, London, Mumbai, New Delhi - we had been following Shah Rukh wherever he went since March 2009 and he gave us complete access," Johri told the media, without divulging the investment made for it.

The series will have eight repeats in a week, justifying the fan following that Shah Rukh commands across the globe.

Karan Johar's Plans post My Name Is Khan

Director Karan Johar wants to go back to "song and dance" movies after My Name Is Khan, which is about the journey of an unusual couple living in the US post- 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"I have given my three years, heart, soul and body to My Name Is Khan. Now I would love to get back to songs and dances. I guess it's the need of the hour for me," said Karan who is known for making light movies like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

"Making a film is all about the state of mind - three years back I felt that I had to tell the story of My Name Is Khan. Perhaps after making my 'song and dance' film, I would be fed up again and make something else thereafter. However, as of now I am very clear that my next movie has to be a lighter affair," he said.

Talking about the trigger point that led to conceptualising of My Name Is Khan, he said: "It was basically a film that was needed to be addressed. I had certain feelings and wanted them to be translated for screen. Moreover, this idea also required me to get out of my safety zone."

Releasing Feb 12, My Name Is Khan stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol and Karan worked with writer Shibani Bathija on the movie. He did a lot of research work for the movie.

"More than just the visual presentation on screen, what was of pertinent importance was the fact that My Name Is Khan required a lot of external research. All this while it was about my own world with which I was comfortable but here I was looking at certain perceptions which are a global phenomenon."

It has been reported that My Name Is Khan is picking upon the issues and challenges faced by Muslims globally and aims at addressing them through the medium of cinema.

"Please let me set the record straight that My Name Is Khan is not an issue- based film. Instead it's a human drama about a couple. The film will make you smile and result in tears in your eyes.

"At the end of it all, it's a human film with emotions that are universal. It's a film which connects with you. But I'm not taking forward the baton of an issue. Instead I am just using it as a part of the narrative."

My Name Is Khan also stars Soniya Jehan, Jimmy Shergill, Zarina Wahab, Parvin Dabbas, Arif Zakaria, Navneet Nishan, Sheetal Menon, Arjun Mathur and child artist Tanay Chheda seen in "Slumdog Millionaire".

A co-production of Karan Johar and Gauri Khan, My Name Is Khan is being marketed and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Review My Name is Khan Movie Music - MNIK Review of Songs

The soundtrack of the latest offering of Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan, My Name is Khan, boasts of Sufi flavour. Composed by Johar's favourite Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the album has six originals and most of the compositions are soul-stirring.

The album starts with Sajda. Sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shankar Mahadevan and Richa Sharma, it's a Sufi number that tugs at one's heartstrings. The sounds of tablas and dholaks keep the listener hooked. With great voices behind the mike, Sajda is a must hear.

Next is Noor-E-Khuda, an unplugged version sung by Adnan Sami, Shreya Ghoshal and Shankar. It's a soft, pleasing love ballad that instantly strikes a chord. Most part of the song is male-dominated, but it gets an edge when Shreya enters with her honey-tucked voice close to the end of the track.

Shafqat Amanat Ali renders Tere Naina brilliantly. The subtle orchestration and melody make for an interesting hear. It changes gear mid-way when it slips into the qawwali mode which elevates it further.

Up next is Allah Hi Rahem – again a Sufi number. Crooned by Rashid Ali, it is enchanting. The lyrics are simple yet profound and the song transports you to a completely different world. One of the best songs ofthe album.

Then there is Rang De by Shankar with ample support from Suraj Jagan. The song with influences of rock is nice and refreshing. It talks about peace, triumph and joy.

The album also has a My Name is Khan theme song by Pakistani band Strings. It is an intriguing piece.

On the whole, every song in the album is above average. The composers have stuck to the theme of the film and the soundtrack has the potential to rock the charts.

Rating: 3.5/5

Shahrukh Khan and Hot celebrities at Dabboo Ratnani Calendar 2010 Launch

Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan were spotted at the 2010 calendar launch of photographer Dabboo Ratnani. Also present were Arjun Rampal, Kunal Kapoor, Genelia, Vidya Balan, Pooja Bedi, Pooja Bhatt, Rohit Roy, Madhur Bhandarkar, Divya Dutta, Vindu Dara Singh and Dina, Parmeet Sethi, Archana Puran Singh, Gaurav Chopra, Mouni Roy, Yash and Gauri Tonk among others.
Here are those exclusive photographs...