It’s my goodwill versus big money: Shah Rukh
NEW DELHI: His ‘Om Shanti Om’ is pitted against ‘Saawariya’, which has Sony Pictures splurging big money on its publicity. But Shah Rukh Khan says no amount of money can surpass the goodwill he has created.
“After this film people will love me. And nobody is going to use the money to oust the goodness that I have created,” Shah Rukh told.
“The filmmaking business is already an expensive thing but then there is a market that is getting you that money back. I don’t think you need to spend money to make money. Having said that, yes, outside players like Sony Pictures and Columbia Tristar are hugely moneyed,” Shah Rukh added.
While ‘Om Shanti Om’ has been produced under Shah Rukh’s own banner, Red Chillies Entertainment, ‘Saawariya’ has Hollywood studio Sony Pictures as co-producer. Both are releasing Nov 9.
But Shah Rukh is all ready for the competition.
“You have to compete. And by god’s grace after this film, I will have enough money to compete with them on money terms also.”
He candidly described his much talked about six-pack abs in the eagerly awaited ‘Om Shanti Om’ as a marketing trick.
“The film is meant to be more celebrative and fun… I will not put it beyond the fact that it is a part of marketing to attract attention but it is also an inherent part of the story. It has a character that requires that kind of physique.”
But the superstar believes that more than marketing and stars it is content that dictates the success of a film.
“There is no denying that content is king. If you have good content in a film and you present it in whatever manner… whether it is ‘Chak De! India’, ‘Om Shanti Om’, ‘Don’ or ‘Swades’, I think at the end of it all, people only like good content,” said Shah Rukh, who was in the capital for the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.
“There is nothing beyond content - no stars, no marketing.”
Director Farah Khan has roped in 31 stars, including Jeetendra and Rekha, for a special song in ‘Om Shanti Om’.
“The film required a sequence with film actors because the film is about filmmaking. It makes it look more authentic. On the lighter side, it is very helpful if people like to come and see some items and stuff.”
The actor has plans to build his own studio. However, he will have to wait. “There is no place and nobody gives me the land! (Smiled)”
Rohit,
It is for a lack of better word, just a misunderstanding.
Your intentions are pure.
Lets not get hung up on one ...
Satyam, read jayshah's reply on screening. He will educate you a bit.
The most frustrating thing with it comes to ...
For my part, I'll say this, although I was initially going to give Rohit an email myself...
I've been a part ...
Gnight little bro. Hope by the time you wake , this all looks like a dream and not resemble a ...
I hope everything will be normal when i wake up tomorrow..
And this will be my last comment till Satyam shows ...
Have to leave for a meeting now. 
Rocky- Gusse mein log bahut kuch bol dete hain, they don't always mean it or regret it later.
Comment by jayshah on 14 October 2007:
Confident stuff here, smart money on SRK with the box office tussle
Comment by Tuenkens on 14 October 2007:
Just saw the new trailer of OSO in the theater with BB. This is the best preview of the film so far. And the buzz it created in the cinema was awesome. I am really hyped on this movie now, wasn’t very sure about it before. In contrast, the other previews (Saawariya and JA) had a pretty lukewarm response. JA preview was magnificent, and Hritik was amazing. I just get a feeling that this may not be the film many might be expecting. But Hritik may truly redifine the image of Akbar in our minds for many years to come.
Comment by Qalandar on 14 October 2007:
Tuenkens: was the reaction to the Jodha Akbar preview lukewarm at your end? Where are you based? (Satyam reported a relatively “normal” reaction in suburban New York)…
Comment by satyam on 14 October 2007:
Tuenkens: I had the same experience. People were enthused about OSO, and totally silent when JA showed up. There was no Saawariya preview at my end. Incidentally I agree with you to the extent that people who are expecting a Hollywood kind of spectacle here might not really get it. I personally thought the preview was good, not extraordinary, or at least not as much as the hype seemed to suggest. Hrithik seemed fine with his head covered though still didn’t seem authentic to my mind (not that this is a problem for the box office). In any case if this film isn’t a box office success I don’t see Hrithik as re-defining Akbar. Finally one does get the sense from the previews that there is enough ‘pure’ dialog here.
Comment by Tuenkens on 14 October 2007:
Qalandar: I am based in Bombay and saw it at Gaiety, Bandra, and it was a very “Idd crowd.” There were a lot of seetis and taalis on Hrithik’s entry and some ohs and ahs on Aish’s first shot, but as the trailer unfolded not many people seemed interested. Perhaps it gave the impression of being a bit high brow. I personally thought it was very interesting. In fact, loved it. I think there is a lot more to it then just a love story set within a war drama which was what I was expecting. I think there is some interesting play on the Hindu princess and Muslim emperor thing going on. I also had serious doubts about Hrithik playing Akbar, but I think he will more than justify his casting based on this preview. His diction and poise were spot on. And yes my impressions are based on the “noisy” crowd. There of course must have been many more “silent” guys who would have been very impressed with what they saw.
Comment by Qalandar on 14 October 2007:
Re: “I think there is a lot more to it then just a love story set within a war drama which was what I was expecting.”
That’s exactly what I want to hear (and have been hoping for!). It’s what separates a perfectly enjoyable film (Braveheart) from a superb one (Mangal Pandey) IMO…
Comment by imgr8 on 14 October 2007:
Q: u mean to say Mangal Pandey is better than Braveheart
Comment by Qalandar on 14 October 2007:
Yup!
Comment by NyKavi on 14 October 2007:
If JA has more politics/intrigue and less war, its all for the better. The dialogues, royal drama, etc is what I would love to watch as the history buff in me craves that much more than maar-dhaar which has been already captured in umpteen hollywood movies, and which probably cud not be recreated by Gowariker with his budget limitations.
Comment by abzee on 14 October 2007:
Damn everything else about the JA promo…I just can’t get that wonderful Rahman composition out of my head. I’ve just heard the mukhda, but suffice to say it’s the song of the year for me. I saw the preview before Bhool Bhulaiyaa and the crowd reaction was silent, but I think it was more because they were really paying attention as opposed to being disinterested. Aishwarya’s never looked this young(reminded me of her pristine innocence in Iruvar). But oh that song! I’m contemplating watching BB again just to hear it play in the trailer.
BTW, I think this JA trailer is one of the longest promos trailers ever for any film that I remember. When was the last time we had a 4 min trailer. Sarkar had a 5 min trailer but it ws shown only to the press and distributors.
Comment by abzee on 14 October 2007:
Oh…I forgot to mention the name of the song. Its ‘Hai Rabba’. And is it just me or is the basic teen-taal beat the same that Rahman used in the closing refrain of Dacoit Duel from WOHE? What a song…what orchestration and what a symphonic chorus line. Its like dervishes dancing to an acapella.
Comment by abzee on 14 October 2007:
But guys, why is JA being released on the 25th of January, 2008. I thought it was gonna be out this year. I’ve really been out of the loop. Isn’t Tashan also releasing on the 25th of Jan? I fear the chances of JA against Tashan. My freinds who’ve seen the rushes of Tashan insist that it’s a guaranteed superhit. And although the promotion will be all around Saif-Kareena, it’s Akki and Anil Kapoor who will drive the film.
Comment by Sid on 14 October 2007:
“My freinds who’ve seen the rushes of Tashan insist that it’s a guaranteed superhit” akki ki toh nikal padi hai!
Comment by Aarohi on 14 October 2007:
Abzee: I just can’t get that wonderful Rahman composition out of my head. I’ve just heard the mukhda, but suffice to say it’s the song of the year for me.
At last a very good reason to watch BB
Damn the music releases on Nov 27th
Comment by FloydRulez on 14 October 2007:
“Aishwarya’s never looked this young(reminded me of her pristine innocence in Iruvar). ”
Yes, She looks to have no pretensions. Looked liked the Ash in her tamil outings. About Hrithik, Well he much resembles the Prince of persia, I feel.
Comment by FloydRulez on 14 October 2007:
Rahman looks to have composed a memorable soundtrack, almost like his matchless one in “Iruvar”, it just loops subconciously!
Comment by nithi_s on 14 October 2007:
God! The topic strides off to JA. How can there can be enthused cheering for the promos JA? Its afterall not the masala entertainer kind of movie.
Comment by FloydRulez on 14 October 2007:
Digression enhances the discussion.
Comment by Arun on 15 October 2007:
“I’ve just heard the mukhda, but suffice to say it’s the song of the year for me”
abzee, Terrfic! Wasn’t too keen on watching BB, but now will after your comment
Comment by jayshah on 15 October 2007:
These UK theatres are a step behind here. I really should take it up with the owners to show the latest trailors…really pieved that neither JA or TZP was shown. Instead we keep getting the first theatrical trailors of movies which are on all channels already.
Comment by Nitesh on 15 October 2007:
Thanks abdee for the JA’s promos summary. I am excited about “Hai Rabba” after your description.
I am anyway a big Rehmaan fan and with a film like Jodha Akbar, he will show his best.
Offlate, I am also wondering about the title “Jodha Akbar”? Till now I used to hear “Akbar Jodha” in history books.
Putting Jodha before Akbar is significance unless some numerologist angle is involved.
Looks like this will show a story of Jodha as prominently as that of Akbar. Good for history buffs like me.