Excerpts from Aamir Khan’s blog …. (Settlers of Panchgani, May 13th)
http://www.aamirkhan.com/blog.htm
Aamir says:
“Shahrukh is licking my feet and I am feeding him biscuits every now and then. What more can I ask for?
Now, before you jump to any conclusions let me add that Shahrukh is the name of our dog. And before you jump to any further conclusions let me add that I had nothing to do with naming him. In fact Shahrukh is the dog of the caretakers of our house. When I bought this house it came with the caretakers and their dog! Apparently Shahrukh (the actor) was shooting for a commercial in this house a few years ago, and that very day the caretakers bought a pup…, and named him Shahrukh. What are the chances of me buying a house which comes with a dog called Shahrukh!!!
Some of my friends claim that I bought the house just because of the dog. I would have to be a serious fan of Shahrukh’s to want to do that. Your guess…
All I can say is I’m waiting for him to come over”
“Well Shahrukh is once again begging for my attention, so let me get back to him. He is smelling too much, I think he needs a bath. “Heel boy, heel.”
Comment by jayshah on 13 May 2008:
LOL
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
LOL! A little tongue in cheek.
Comment by jayshah on 13 May 2008:
Oh the media is going to have a field day with one…
Comment by jayshah on 13 May 2008:
Jokes aside this is not nice of Aamir, there is definitely some kind of intent behind this, even if it is masked by some humor I think it’s a dig…
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
Jay…I think there is nothing wrong with this even If Aamir’s intention is to have some fun with SRK…I mean isn’t this what SRK does at the FF awards?
Comment by jayshah on 13 May 2008:
‘I mean isn’t this what SRK does at the FF awards’
This is not even comparable to FF, this is actually funny!
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
oh yes it’s funny but my point was that SRK is always poking fun at his colleagues (including Aamir) at these awards shows so I don’t see anything wrong with Aamir returning the favor. Also, I think Aamir wants to see what kind of reaction this generates from the media after this ‘number 1′ comments a couple of months ago which somehow became a big deal.
Comment by jayshah on 13 May 2008:
I don’t think there is much wrong here because it is not direct and its not even certain that it is a dig. Check out some of the comments on the blog though.
‘oh i get it , you need a controversy , because your home production is coming to release soon ..
from your track record whenever there is a movie for release you create a controversy (..un…INTENTIONAL)
or are you just jealous cause sharukh is doin so many things and you get stuck wid one movie for 4 years ..
or is it because you are jealous that shahrukh owns a team and is indian Roman Abramovich ……
my diagnosis : You are insecure ‘
Comment by N I T E S H on 13 May 2008:
‘Also, I think Aamir wants to see what kind of reaction this generates from the media ‘
well when one does one film at a time but still wants to be in news in the media, then what better way than taking dig at a bigger superstar.
Raj Thackeray had done similar things with Amitabh and Aamir goes many levels lower.
Comment by N I T E S H on 13 May 2008:
Ohhh…it now occurs to me…
a new film ‘Jaane tu yaa jaane naa’, produced by Aamir is going to be released and of course he needs publicity for that.
Comment by N I T E S H on 13 May 2008:
Media will first tell the scoop and then show a clipping of JTYJN….smart and shrewd stroke chappy!
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
LOL!!!
Comment by nithi_s on 13 May 2008:
Wow! Aamir has a great sense of humor. Thats really an intelligent and classy joke …
Comment by akshay shah on 13 May 2008:
LOL>….hilarious!
Comment by Renegade on 13 May 2008:
LOL! it appears, Aamir is still pissed about the joke SRK made on filmfare!…or it’s just a trick to remain in the focus?
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
any of you who thinks that Aamir is doing this to promote his movies need some history lesson. The guy did not give a single interview for RANG DE BASANTI and there was no controversy that he created at that time. For FANAA, again there were no interviews to the media and the NBA controversy actually HARMED the movie since it didn’t release in Gujrat. For TZP, there were a few interviews but again, no controversy. So I am not sure what anyone is talking about when they say that Aamir is trying to promote his film (which is still almost two months away) by joking on his blog.
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
so let me get this straight….SRK can do any type of joke that he wants and his fans will just laugh at his creativity but Aamir does a little tongue in cheek on his blog and he is trying to create a controversy to promote his film.
Good one!!!
Comment by Ravi on 13 May 2008:
Exactly Justafan.
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
Some good points there Justafan. The move that is practised with Bachchan to ‘de-voice’ him is also repeated with Aamir in some ways. With Bachchan it is to suggest that he should somehow always be too “dignified” to respond. But of course when he doesn’t the other side gets away with murder (which is precisely the ideological import of this strategy, the other side wants Bachchan to be ’silenced’!). With Aamir we’ve seen this theme repeated as well. Why did he publicize TZP? Why did he make himself available to the media?! The move here was to delegitimize his supposedly principled stance. Well as you point out why didn’t he do the same for RDB when he was coming off a flop in MP and needed the hit more? Why did he actually damage Fanaa by ensuring it would not be released in Gujarat? The narrative doesn’t make sense! Much as some tried to pull the same on him when he accepted a couple of awards recently. Well he did so down South for an event Kamal for involved in and then the Lata Mangeshkar award. hardly comparable to Filmfare or Screen! So in each case when a star takes a position that’s considered more ‘principled’ or ‘dignified’ the other side just pounces at the first opportunity to try and deconstruct these stances. Plus it’s not as if one gets credit in the first place. No one was defending Bachchan (as theskeptic suggests) when he was accused of all kinds of nonsense including the manglik thing.
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
Just to clarify…I actually like some of the jokes that SRK comes up with in these award shows and anyone who has a problem with them needs his or her examined. If you can’t take a joke then don’t be part of the entertainment industry.
Comment by henry on 13 May 2008:
This is tasteless, and far nastier than any humor SRK has attempted anywhere. If SRK had made a joke like this one, the majority of members on this forum would be up in arms and calling SRK the incarnation of Satan.
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
henry…is this more tasteless then SRK doing gay jokes on FF?
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
Re:anyone who has a problem with them needs his or her examined. If you can’t take a joke then don’t be part of the entertainment industry.
Am not sure if I can agree with that JustAfan.
It has a lot to do with the actual joke,the person making the joke ,the person it is aimed at, the occasion, timing
and the spirit of the joke. Some people are titillated when they see others being humiliated and made fun of, more so when they do not have a chance to get back either due to circumstances or fear of repurcussions and those kind of jokes are neither funny nor do they need to be encouraged. SRK- Saif’s attempted humor at FF awards squarely falls in that catagory and I was frankly embarrased to see that happen.
Comment by henry on 13 May 2008:
Yes
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
Henry,
I wouldnt call it more tasteless but definitely unneccessary.
Aamir doesnt need to do this and more so in the current climate when they are competitors.
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
Henry: Your point is a fair one but speaking for myself it is precisely because I didn’t find a lot of SRK’s humor ‘harmless’ over the years and detected the ‘nastiness’ in it (even if nothing literally matched this sort of thing) that I now don’t mind something ‘excessive’ like this going the other way!
I would have a different opinion if this was done at another actor’s expense. But then I doubt we would see anything of the sort on Aamir’s blog. The question that must be asked is: what does SRK otherwise do that generates this kind of response? It was precisely a ‘lie’ to consider all of his ‘humor’ as just that over the years. It did have a nasty edge and it was often practised in cahoots with the likes of Johar.
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
ILG - as long as peole in the industry are making fun of each other without getting too personal, then I don’t have a problem with it. Guys like Leno and Letterman have made their career out of this and no one blinks an eye.
Henry - care to explain?
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
Am not surprised that SRK fans are miffed and thats an understandable reaction.I would be too, were I one. SRK is getting a taste of his own medicine tho I wouldnt use that argument to justify this.
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
Just take the ‘nariyal awards’ concept this year at Filmfare. Vidya Balan seemed most displeased when she was given the award for worst dressed actress until she finally got back in with a retort. Or RGV was given the nariyal award for Aag but then SRK added ‘Maybe Amitji should be given this for wanting to do a film with RGV even after Aag’. He’s done a lot of this stuff over the years. The difference is that people just kept saying ‘oh it’s just humor and what not’. His comment about Amar Singh last year, the whole ‘darinda’ thing was again quite nasty. Everyone said ‘oh he’s a misunderstood guy’. I think we can all understand quite well what he’s been doing. No one’s a dolt to think it’s just humor and even the fans (not referring to you henry) just pretend to be dense.
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
If Aamir had made this joke about someone else like Salman or Sanjay or Akshay then I could understand since none of those guys have ever taken a dig at Aamir (to my knowledge) but SRK gives a lot more then he takes it because there are only a few guys who can give it to him.
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
ILG: Yes I’ll agree that this was probably unnecessary…
Comment by henry on 13 May 2008:
SRK has always shown tremendous respect for Aamir, called him a great actor, said things like he can never make a film like Lagaan. Then why did Aamir do something so low?
He has made a couple digs here and there at his height and the fact that he doesn’t show up for desi awards but nothing more than that. Even Hrithik made a dig at Aamir’s height on Koffee with Karan.
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
Re:Guys like Leno and Letterman have made their career out of this and no one blinks an eye
Precisely, JustAfan. If Shaana Shakeel or Johnny Lever made those jokes thats acceptable. But if Tom Cruise gets up on stage and starts making fun of Brad Pitt or Matt Demon or Ron Howard the way SRK did, would be a different scenario.
Comment by Ravi on 13 May 2008:
As long you like dishing it out, be prepared to take it in too. After all it is a two way street, as simple as that.
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
BTW, would recommend The Comedy Circus. Indian humor has definitely gotten edgier.
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
Again, I have absolutely no problem with SRK giving it to Aamir, or Akshay, or Abishekhk or RGV or Bhansali…these are all big boys and can take it but SRK fans can’t be complaining about these types of jokes since he is the one who has mastered this art.
Satyam…I will disagree that it was ‘unnecessary’. Jokes are not a matter of necessity. If one feels like taking a dig at someone (without getting too personal or getting their family involved) then I don’t see antything wrong with it. I am sure SRK will laugh it off and come up with one of his own.
Also, I like the fact that Aamir is showing a different side of his now. He has been a little too serious for sometime but now with the ‘number 1′ and the ‘dog’ remarks, he is having some fun now–with his colleagues and the media.
Comment by Qalandar on 13 May 2008:
While Aamir from what I have heard has genuine reasons to feel aggrieved at SRK, this sort of attempt at humor does not redound to his credit. Personally don’t consider it more offensive than the stuff we saw at Filmfare (i.e. it might be more personally offensive, but it’s politically a lot less offensive), but two wrongs don’t make a right.
Comment by jayshah on 13 May 2008:
Henry I hear you and in many ways agree with you. As an independent comment this is very un-like Aamir and will asuredly create controversy. Even as a vengeful comment it is probably ‘more’ than what SRK has said against Aamir.
But really, SRK has done equally as bad on public shows. His comments against Vidhu and RGV reeked of ‘kicking a dog when he is down’ which IMO lacks class too.
Certainly two wrongs don’t make a right.
Comment by Qalandar on 13 May 2008:
Henry: on SRK giving Aamir great respect, I am not sure I agree; most of those pronouncements don’t strike me as sincere, and they often had a condescending/snide edge to them. Like I said I don’t consider this acceptable on Aamir’s part, but I have never bought the “humble SRK” role (he doesn’t act well enough to pull it off), not least because of its inconsistency: when the right movie is coming out, we see “cocky SRK” on display, at other times when it makes more marketing sense we see “humble SRK”, and so on. I pass no moral judgment on this (he has every right to promote his films the way he wants to), but IMO the problem with Aamir’s comment is not that he has stabbed SRK in the back — but that the humor is puerile and tasteless.
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
Justafan: ILG’s right, even in Hollywood major stars can’t get away with this sort of thing. of course no major star there would indulge in the kind of humor SRK does either!
Incidentally Letterman did offend some people when he did the Oscars and some of his jokes were seen as too edgy. I was in fact surprised they had Jon Stewart back. Usually it’s the terrifyingly bland Billy Crystal!
Comment by jayshah on 13 May 2008:
And judging by the pasting Aamir is getting on his blog (and some rapture glee from some fans aswell), I think he should and probably will explain himself. At least one hopes so.
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
Q,
Entirely agree. Plus, Aamir is different.
JustAfan, this is not humor. It is an attempt to get back. It is
momentarily funny. But thats about it. But SRK or his fans are not ina position to complain since he has done this kind of thing time and time again.
Comment by N I T E S H on 13 May 2008:
‘For FANAA, again there were no interviews to the media and the NBA controversy actually HARMED the movie since it didn’t release in Gujrat. For TZP, there were a few interviews but again, no controversy. So I am not sure what anyone is talking about when they say that Aamir is trying to promote his film ‘
Dude…
All this controversey business actually started with Fanaah. All of a sudden he raked up an issue just before the release of Fanaah. However, he miscalculated his stroke as it gave more damage than benifit.
Aamir played the same game just before TZP, by bring in Amitabh and commenting on his performance in Black. Of course later he made ameds (this was mentioned in the news) but then he got what he wanted.
Now this blog business again when Jaane tu… needs a fillip in its promotion.
And I do not understand why everyone is finding an excuse in SRK’s act when trying to defend Aamir. SRK made a mistak and Aamir repeats it. Two wrongs does not make right.
I wonder who will Aamir embroil at the time of ghajini?
Aamir…there are better ways to come in news…for example do few more films or something creative or whatever other superstars are doing. This way of blogging shows a childish behavior and demeans your stature.
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
After this entire discussion if I had to deliver a final verdict I’d say Aamir shouldn’t have done this..
Comment by henry on 13 May 2008:
I am going to say again that if SRK had done this kind of joke on Aamir, the reaction on this forum would have been very different.
IMO calling your peer a dog crosses the boundaries of tastelessness. One would have to be extremely dense to think Aamir made this blog without any ill-intentions.
I think the Aag joke was a bit funny because it was rooted in reality. Similarly, at one of the recent filmfares, SRK made a hilarious at dig at himself while doing a Krrish-like aerial stunt. I think he asked Hrithik to bring him down, and then followed with stating that at one time he did almost bring him down.
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
Agree, everytime I see SRK praising Aamir or AB comes across as insincere.
Comment by Qalandar on 13 May 2008:
PS– I note that when SRK called Amar Singh “darinda” plenty of people insisted that Singh was overreacting etc. That was no better than this IMO, and perhaps worse since he said so at a formal function from the stage, in Amar Singh’s presence.
Comment by N I T E S H on 13 May 2008:
Satyam-’After this entire discussion if I had to deliver a final verdict I’d say Aamir shouldn’t have done this..’
Ofcourse.
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
Nitesh: I would disagree to the extent that in one case, TZP, the increased visibility helps him while in the other, Fanaa, his political interventions damaged the film. Losing out on Gujarat is a big deal. Ahmedabad is the third highest grossing city for Hindi films. He lost out about 2-3 crores just from this city.
Comment by Qalandar on 13 May 2008:
Re: “I am going to say again that if SRK had done this kind of joke on Aamir, the reaction on this forum would have been very different.”
Aside: I didn’t really expect the “only on NG” bit from you too Henry. If you have particular NGites in mind that’s one thing, but I do not think it’s fair to suggest that a majority here is anti-SRK. That’s just not true. I well remember discussions about what SRK said at Filmfare, Amar Singh, etc., and he certainly did not lack for defenders.
Comment by N I T E S H on 13 May 2008:
Satyam-”Fanaa, his political interventions damaged the film. Losing out on Gujarat is a big deal. Ahmedabad is the third highest grossing city for Hindi films. He lost out about 2-3 crores just from this city.”
Satyam…that’s what i said….Aamir’s move was miscalculated. He never imagined that it would become such a big issue that his film will get a ban in a state. Ofcourse it damaged the film and the blame goes squarely on Aamir for his sudden desire to market his film in unique ways, the way SRK does. But sorry…marketing is a different ball game and Aamir is not cut for it.
Comment by jayshah on 13 May 2008:
Satyam - a poor executive decision.
Nitesh, Aamir is saving on marketing expense by getting free publicity from media…
Henry don’t think it is fair to say that if SRK can dig at ‘himself’ then he can at ‘others’. Basically everyone reacts differently to this kind of stuff. Sometimes even I indulge in the juvenile. FF awards is not the place for it, world wide audience in all and a blog certainly isn’t a place for it. Best to leave it amongst your friends.
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
Nitesh–I sincerely doubt that the BLACK controversy even added 10 RS to the total of TZP. As for FANAA, it was really easy for Aamir to had the movie released in Gujrat. All he had to do was retract his comments but he didnt. I am sure that even YRF had privately asked him to go soft on the issue but the guy didnt’ blink. Again, the NBA controversy actually brought the collections donw, not up. FANAA was alwasy going to open huge.
Again, I have a different opinion on this whole joke business. I don’t see anything wrong with what Aamir said..just like I don’t find a lot of comments SRK makes on FF offensive.
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
Nitesh, actually Aamir could have had the film released in Gujarat had he just made a simple apology. Yashraj very much wanted him to do this and were very upset when he didn’t. The fate of the film hinged on just this at one point in terms of Gujarat. Aamir just stuck to his guns.
Comment by Mr. Bond on 13 May 2008:
“After this entire discussion if I had to deliver a final verdict I’d say Aamir shouldn’t have done this..”
I just cant’ believe this… Satyam taking SRK’s side LOL
By the way, I agree with Satyam, this was uncalled for.
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
Justafan: Well using a dog story for a person is getting pretty ‘personal’ wouldn’t you say?
Where I will agree with you and Qalandar is that sometimes this sort of relatively juvenile thing seems ‘nastier’ than the other kind where one seems more polite on a literal level but is actually being more nasty (of course SRK called Amar Singh a ‘darinda’ which is quite literal!).
For example in one of the Filmfare awards after Hrithik won for KMG Johar said on stage “main bhi apni film main alien rakh leta to mujhe bhi award mil jata”! This was pretty nasty. And this is exactly the sort of humor SRK practises as well.
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
Folks…when it comes to promoting his films then there is no ‘worst’ leading actor then Aamir Khan. Again, show me one interview for RDB or FANAA. Even YRF promoted FANAA like it was their step child…easily the worst promoted big movie in he history of bollywood. As for TZP, Aamir didn’t do 1% of what SRK did for OSO as far as promotions are concerned.
Comment by jayshah on 13 May 2008:
“I am going to say again that if SRK had done this kind of joke on Aamir, the reaction on this forum would have been very different.”
Quite possibly Henry. But this is probably a mere function that SRK has made a few public comments before so there is an element of the ‘expected’ and a case of ‘here he goes again’. With Aamir’s comments there is an element of ’surprise’, possibly ’shock’ and probably a few feeling this is an unfortunate comment to make from someone who doesn’t indulge in this stuff usually.
If Big B made such comments, there would be shock aswell. If Khalid made the comment - well wouldn’t it be interpreted differently aswell?
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
Mr Bond: I don’t believe in the ‘two wrongs make a right’ kind of sentimentality (with all due respect to Nitesh and others) but I do believe Aamir had no reason to begin this kind of dig. He could have done something else.
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
Satyam—Aamir is not calling SRK a dog. Now that would be PERSONAL. He has a dog named ShahRukh. Now you can go anywhere with this but there is a difference between the two.
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
But hey maybe Aamir’s been reading Animal Farm!
My last word on this. If SRK had said this and we’d discussed it some SRK fans would have got up and said ’see how huge SRK is as a star that even his jokes get so much attention’. So by that logic Aamir is a huge star!
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
Aamir might be catching up on all the FF awards now
He probably didn’t realize that SRK was having fun with him all this time.
Comment by Kanwal on 13 May 2008:
Do you guys even know how close friends aamir and srk are.I dont know,so its just futile to analyze this. Anyways aamir is on 3 weeks holiday doing nothing on the hill station.Idle mind is bored and devils workshop, so lets just pass this one.
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
BTW..Aamir’s blog site has been down for a little while so maybe he is having second thoughts about this…or maybe it’s getting more hits then google.
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
In all this brohuha, something thats been totally ignored is the tremendous psychological trauma to the poor dog. Imagine being called Shah Rukh….
Comment by JustaFan on 13 May 2008:
ILG–I think SRK might put a hit job on that caretaker who named the dog ShahRukh.
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
I think the dog is going to sue the caretaker.
Comment by Myna on 13 May 2008:
I dont think srk fans need to feel sad or aggrevated abt these comments. I think srk knows well how to handle this…he will either play humble and downplay this or will get back at Aamir even more nastily at a later time. I dont feel any pity for srk here.
But I strongly feel Aamir should not have done this. I dont know why everyone is involved in this sort of business these days!!! I think srk has set the trend atleast in this one!!
I dont think many Aamir fans will support him in this case and might feel bad bcoz this is very unlike him.
Comment by N I T E S H on 13 May 2008:
‘I think the dog is going to sue the caretaker.’
hahahaha LOL
Comment by Simply Som on 13 May 2008:
I don’t find anything wrong, humor should be taken in the right spirit if the intent is harmless.SRK expects everyone to take his sense of humor in good spirit,so he should also be prepared to do the same if someone pokes fun or make a joke about him.
Comment by Simply Som on 13 May 2008:
“All this controversey business actually started with Fanaah. All of a sudden he raked up an issue just before the release of Fanaah. However, he miscalculated his stroke as it gave more damage than benifit.
Aamir played the same game just before TZP, by bring in Amitabh and commenting on his performance in Black. Of course later he made ameds (this was mentioned in the news) but then he got what he wanted.
Now this blog business again when Jaane tu… needs a fillip in its promotion.”
Nitesh: You are spot on, have just spoken my mind.exactly what I think of Aamir’s well though out, calculated strategy.
Comment by Jesse on 13 May 2008:
Maybe I’m a bit naive here, but assuming the dog’s name is Shahrukh and the name did come about as Aamir suggested, what is wrong with letting people know about it on his blog? And the whole situation has humor written into it, so how could Aamir do this without cracking a few jokes as well?
Comment by satyam on 13 May 2008:
ILG: LOL!!!!!
Comment by Kanwal on 13 May 2008:
These two khan’s are a disgrace. Taking digs for promotion.
The real khan is Salman Khan, never promotes and well never cares if a movie flops.
Ok, before you guys jump to any conclusion, let me tell you that my name is kanwal - but i am a DOG. Kanwal(my owner) bought me last week,he is teaching me how to type right now.So good of him naming me on his name.
Thank You.
Comment by Julie on 13 May 2008:
If this is true, then all I can say is that the intellectual and mental level of BW stars is decaying fast. First FF, which was such a crass act by Saif and SRK at taking digs at various film personalities and now this. I will go with the perception of those who say that two wrongs don’t make one right. This was totally unnecessary, but again SRK is more than capable of handling Aamir. He certainly does not need public support on this. I am sure on face he will take it in a facetious spirit but will look for the perfect opportunity to retaliate in the future.
Comment by ILG on 13 May 2008:
Julie,
It is not a question of intelligence or intellect. A lot of talented, intelligent people get drawn into this kind of tit for tat. It is neither intellectual to ignore provocation nor ‘un’intellectual to respond to provocation. It is often considered childish to respond to such provocation but actually, its just human. It may not be properly thought out or guided by reasoned thinking. In a way am glad, Aamir is doing it as someone from the industry needs to have balls to send a message to SRK that his act at FF was totally undignified and in rather poor taste. Aamir has enough respect and strength to withstand the repurcussions. SRK would be well advised to acknowledge this with a smile and then shut up or think twice before attempting FF kind of humor.
If a big star hosts awards or ceremonies and wants to inject humor , the best way to go is by being self depecrating or making fun of people they are known to be friendly with or people with more power than them, if they have the guts. To poke fun at a Vidya Balan or her designer or a somewhat down and out RGV or an unpopular person like Amar Singh is dastardly and plain unfunny. I actually appreciate that award ceremonie are a little more colorful instead of being staid like olden days but this years FF certainly is not the way to go. Gay humor again can be funny to a point but insensitive too.
Comment by amitk79 on 13 May 2008:
Actually I was kinda taken aback when I read for the 1st time..but u know what I feel after reading the reacitions..TAKE THAT SRK!! And shut up and mind ur own business and stop saying crap about other people..this one is for u!! And Aamir when did u start getting bad?? Anyways u need venom to kill venom..I guess this is ur venom. Will W8 for SRK’s reactions though..he will probably buy most of the media to give Aamir’s movies horrifying reviews like he bought them to give his OSO great reviews.Lol..anyways it was probably a little nasty but I enjoyed it nevertheless..srk deserves it.
Comment by Renegade on 13 May 2008:
SRK: Aamir doesn’t go to awards(Indian), he only goes to Oscars!
Aamir: I am the no. 1 star of the country(Indiafm Video).
SRK: N/C
Aamir:I told Darsheel not to overact like Shahrukh!
SRK: N/C
Aamir:Shahrukh always comes 2nd(after me).
SRK:I’m flattered that i come second to a great actor,Aamir.
Aamir:Shahrukh is licking my feet…Well Shahrukh is once again begging for my attention, so let me get back to him. He is smelling too much, I think he needs a bath.Heel boy, heel.
If you notice, Aamir ain’t letting it go…as if he’s holding a grudge or something! On the contrary, SRK’s trying to avoid a rift, not letting it go worse! It appears as if Aamir’s testing his(SRK) patience, wants SRK to react hard! Is it that Aamir is a kind of person who’s unable to move on or something else!?
Comment by Julie on 13 May 2008:
Agreed for the most part ILG. Although it can be contended that SRK is deserving of this comment, in my opinion it does not do much good for Aamir to come up with pedestrian comments like this. Stars should be conscious of their image in the eyes of fans. Whilst humour crass or class is now an intrinsic part of SRK’s personality for good or bad, somehow it doesen’t gel with everyone’s personality.
Speaking of humour, whilst I was reading your post, my husband peeked in and saw the gravataar against your name. He couldn’t recognize Abhishek and thought that it was the photo of the writer which is you. He is not much aware of the website, though he is a very keen movie buff and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Hindi cinema.
Comment by amitk79 on 13 May 2008:
btw I am sure shahrukh must be a very energetic dog with a long tongue…does he smoke??lol..sorry ..cudnt help it..heheheh
Comment by sandy on 13 May 2008:
Must say this is a ver poor attempt at humour on Aamir’s part. I don’t think there’s necessarily any nasty intent there, except that this is not even remotely funny.
Comment by nithi_s on 13 May 2008:
I guess the present trend of anti-media rantings and celebrity bashing have given Aamir the confidence to go public with this kind of joke.
Yes, SRK has taken jibe at lots of his peers and the FF jokes on VVC and RGV were clearly nasty.
But those directed at Aamir had always been friendly or even complimentary. So this should come as a shocker to SRK.
I guess the real Aamir fans should be disappointed reading this.
Comment by sandy on 13 May 2008:
…very very dissapointed indeed.
Comment by rockstar on 13 May 2008:
really not needed , very very nasty
Comment by amitk79 on 14 May 2008:
This is for ones who support SRK’s humour…u guys have no right to complain about what Aamir said ..and for those who like me dont support SRK’s nasty humour..well we can of course say Aamir went a little too far here..but personally I dont care..I think SRK deserves it. And if anyone could dare to do that it had to be Aamir. Anyways, was a little nasty though..Ouch!! SRK wanted to wake up as Aamir one day and declare he(SRK) is the best. He must have woken up now and got a shocker..lol
Comment by amitk79 on 14 May 2008:
On second thoughts I guess Aamir should have thought of something more chilled out if he really wanted to take a dig at srk, but you know what I have heard all the crap said by srk and people enjoying it. For once he gets his own medicine so why are you guys complaining. But this was definetely bad boy thingy from Aamir that no one is accustomed to. Hmmm…the fight is turning ugly.
Comment by rks on 14 May 2008:
Comment by beld o beld on 14 May 2008:
i just read some of the comments and its quite funny. when it comes to SRK hatred - even so called neutrals turn up the notch. comparing this to Filmfare is a stretch. i presume people have seen oscars where billy crystal and others have a ball - well FF tried to imitate that with SRK and now everyone is acting as if that is taboo. while no one (except perhaps SRK) really cares about what Aamir writes in blogs - comparing this to the filmfare parody is ridiculous
amit - duh! who cares about this as such and i havent seen any complaints here. aamir can blog away - doesnt make a diff. he is never going to be as popular or as big as star as SRK. He has to stay content with being a no 2 all his life - no pun intended
Comment by beld o beld on 14 May 2008:
> He has to stay content with being a no 2 all his life
to SRK that is…
Amitabh will be 0 - I guess
Comment by N I T E S H on 14 May 2008:
‘Must say this is a ver poor attempt at humour on Aamir’s part. I don’t think there’s necessarily any nasty intent there, except that this is not even remotely funny.’
oat
Sandyji, I must say that I never thought that you will find wrong in this. But I am plesantly surprised by your honest opinion and happy to be proved wrong. IMO, you are one of the most vocal Aamir supporter but by condemning this, you have made a very strong statement about yourself. I like honesty in opinions and great to see you on that boat.
Comment by amitk79 on 14 May 2008:
beld - and srk is not even close to aamir in the acting and movie making skills..neways I dont think aamir is 2nd to anyone presently in star appeal neways..though I know people hate his guts.
Comment by amitk79 on 14 May 2008:
A similar article on rediff.com has the following comment from one of its readers -
‘Without a doubt SRK has asked for this. It was an inevitability waiting around the corner. How long can the industry take his sick vulgar sarcasms. He is vindictive and spares no one. But he should remember that most of us are vindictive too..whether AB or AAmir…all have a right to hit back and where it hurts!!
Srk is only a metaphor for what the media in general is today.. a blackmiling, cheap, vulgar monster that lives like a leech sucking peoples hard earned reputations and dignity. It is high time that such people are paid back in their own coin…may it be SRK or the vast network of media. They must be humbled!!!
Well done Aamir.. shouwed your metal man!! Good!!
It will be some time bfore SRK recovers and has the courage to hit back at all n sundry.
But all said and done.. a sad day for Bollywood. it proves that our stars basically have no class!! Taporis in their mentality..’
I was going through the comments there as this site generally tends to attract lot of attention and when I read this comment I actually can’t agree with it more. I agree with the entire comment and the final word that Bollywood has indeed become quite sad like the media monster we have today.
Comment by jayshah on 14 May 2008:
‘I agree with the entire comment and the final word that Bollywood has indeed become quite sad like the media monster we have today.’
Mark my words, cricket is on a steady slope downhill too…
Comment by aby2000 on 14 May 2008:
So i guess if you agree with what Aamir did then you’re not a true fan…
Anyway…when srk makes fun and real nasty comments at the awards, which are viewed by millions, that is fine? Some of things srk has said at awards is equal if not more nasty than this….so!!!!
As for being too busy…yeah the actors that blog are twiddling their thumbs……
Comment by beld o beld on 14 May 2008:
well amit, jay - i disagree with both of you
i think its all in the mind. It was always known that most of bollywood are quite egoist including bachchan, srk, aamir and the whole brigade. Its the nature of the industry. Whenever lot of money flows in - all these things happen. Same with cricket.
As consumers - i dont see why we need to care about ‘righteousness’ in these fields. these are entertainement sources - we take them as they come and enjoy the highs and the lows. btw - i also believe in many ways this is a microcosm of society. go check out boardrooms of companies - the action is even more vitriolic and shady. so all this downhill talk - is in my view a very flawed argument
Comment by nithi_s on 14 May 2008:
“Mark my words, cricket is on a steady slope downhill too…”
Thats a very pessimistic attitude that you have.
Comment by jayshah on 14 May 2008:
‘go check out boardrooms of companies - the action is even more vitriolic and shady’
Oh yes. Man I’ve seen some fiesty battles there and absolutely it is political and beauracratic even in companies. BTW I heard about a study today regarding affairs in the office. I was absolutely surprised to find out that the survey was conducted in India of all places with the top 500 companies there!
‘Whenever lot of money flows in - all these things happen. Same with cricket.’
Exactly money will ruin it. More you pump in, the more ticket prices will rise. The more you will see big TV/cable corps hoaming in to get piece of pie. More you will see them charging you to watch the damn thing on tv. Normal fans will be taken away and you’ll be left with sandwich eating corporate dudes, who won’t chant and cheer! This affect to some 20 years in football but you go to any big match now and the demographic of fan has changed completely. Its all money man, and it talks and it probably works but it comes with its own set of problems.
I read somewhere IPL salary cappings will be done away with next yr. Simple fact is, cricketers are not doing it for the love of cricket, but money. You take money out, IPL would be ICL. And eventually billionaire like Roman Abramovich will get bored and let go of his toy Chelsea, team will be crippled and finished with huge debt.
Not wholly against IPL but the ‘jump’ in money is astronomically and to keep that up will be one heck of a task. And if the penny drops it will be a huge drop.
‘Thats a very pessimistic attitude that you have’
Yep. But its not just a passing comment or sweeping statement.
Comment by beld o beld on 14 May 2008:
Jay - the points are valid but then that is what people refer to as the generational gap - isnt it. my parents generation think that we are all crazy to spend money as we do. i personally dont have issues with money driving entertainement as long as the entertainement value is high. its finally supply and demand - correct. the good always comes with the bad. a Dravid can make a lot of money but will be ridiculed for his anaemic performances at the same time. You cant ask for one and not have the other. so ya - like i said earlier - the more they fight - the more entertainement it is for all of us bloggers
Comment by beld o beld on 14 May 2008:
and btw Jay - there are enough data points to prove that more money coming in - especially in sport - usually raises the standards and thereby the bar. you wont get kobe bryants and lebron’s if there wasnt money in NBA. i firmly believe new age cricketers are going to have that much more talent than the current or the past ones. watch the IPL unfold for next 3-4 years. The problems most of us have is lack of patience and very little foresightedness. I give Lalit modi full marks for what he is doing - he is redefining cricket as we know it and I firmly believe cricket needed that desperately
Comment by amitk79 on 14 May 2008:
btw I think SRK will probably comeback by saying I am the biggest dog in Bollywood or something like that..lol..
Comment by Julie on 14 May 2008:
amitk79 I don’t think SRK will deprecate himself by acceding to Aamir’s comment, but may rebound and say that he has a “tomcat” called Aamir. Seriously all these stars must quit indulging in this kind of sorry state of name calling. It has only degraded the standards of the Industry. Anyone can get away with anything. Name calling, - using blogs as a medium to attack, or counter-attack has become a fad. The only people truly having any fun out of this is the media.
It seems that the Golden Era of BW films and actors/actresses is all behind us now.
Comment by Simply Som on 14 May 2008:
Media has not taken this lightly and has come down heavily on Aamir.Media says Aamir who is known more of an “intellectual” kind, how can he stoop so low and what was the intention of posting this unnecessary thing on his blog?what did he want to prove?
Comment by Simply Som on 14 May 2008:
everyone is waiting for SRK’s response on this,though!!
Comment by Simply Som on 14 May 2008:
“It seems that the Golden Era of BW films and actors/actresses is all behind us now.”
Julie: in this time and age the ethics and principles are the last things in stars’ minds.stooping low in a way or the other and compromising with your honesty and integrity is not a big deal anymore on the part of these film stars in this commercialized world.
Comment by sandy on 14 May 2008:
What Aamir’s done is pretty indefensible, so no point arguing otherwise. And for some people’s info, that’s how I’ve always been, even if it’s an actor I like!
However, I don’t for a second believe that Aamir did this out of spite or his intent was bad. It’s just that he tried his hand at some humour and it fell totally flat.
I’m angry because I’m starting to have doubts about his IQ – SRK”s humour may be nasty but what Aamir had done here is embarrassing!
Comment by Ravi on 14 May 2008:
Sandhya “SRK”s humour may be nasty but what Aamir had done here is embarrassing!”
Very well said Sandhya.
Comment by rudresh on 14 May 2008:
well I think it is blowing the issue out of proportion.
I didnot find it that objectionable.
He said it against the person whose so called humor also goes out of top many times.
Ho jaata hai, bade bade shehron mein choti choti baat ho jati hai.
Comment by ILG on 14 May 2008:
One wishes it hadnt been done but if it had to be done there is not a more worthy recipient.
Comment by Qalandar on 14 May 2008:
I don’t think the moral standards of those during Bollywood’s “golden era” were necessarily any higher than those now — just because stuff wasn’t written about them proves nothing. To take just one example, the “casting couch” and the exploitative system it represents was probably worse back then than it is now (far too many had the notion that this was what was expected in the industry and hence any woman who was in the industry had to accept this as par for the course. Today, for various factors, including some factors that I have been critical of in other contexts — such as the rise of star-kids and the consequent greater “insularity” of the industry; rise of a more “professional class” of film industry person, etc. — the reality is probably a slightly better). Quite frankly, you will never hear of the SRKs, Hritiks, Aamirs, Abhisheks, treating producers and co-stars the way (e.g.) a Rajesh Khanna was known to have done so. Dilip Kumar himself was hardly a boy scout, with his on-the-set tantrums, insistence on rewriting dialogues on location so he could hog the best ones, etc.
Comment by ILG on 14 May 2008:
I am getting tired of agreeing with you all the time but yes, you are absolutely right, Q. This notion that this is all new and things were hunky dory is somewhat preposterous and naive.
Only thing is todays technology has made it more possible to make the goings on more visible. Yesteryears stars were in fact more petty.
Comment by satyam on 14 May 2008:
Qalandar: Agreed!
ILG: Agreed!
Comment by satyam on 14 May 2008:
The only thing I’d add though is that these latter day bourgeois codes of politeness and civility sometimes conceal a different kind of nastiness!
Bachchan of course was the true exception even in those days. His work ethic was and is the touchstone in Bollywood history.
Comment by Qalandar on 14 May 2008:
For what it’s worth ILG, I’m not getting tired of you agreeing! LOL!
PS– this whole “code of silence” is something I am actually against — because it penalizes the WEAKER stars, starlets, and “minor” parties at the expense of the stronger ones. [The Tanushree Dutta example is a good one; or consider the Vivek Oberoi-Salman Khan business. However ill advised the decision to hold a press conference was, it was precisely because of this "don't air dirty laundry in public" mindset (at least partially) that the industry closed ranks against Vivek -- heck he hadn't been the one making several dozen threatening phone calls!]
Comment by rudresh on 14 May 2008:
agreed Q.
but the casting couch and exploitative system was worse than becuase in genral these things were considered quite quite bad, morally wrong.
Now with quite a open society compare to old times and with so much media attention and so much craze and desire of getting fame and focus that means to aquire this losty meaning to most.So casting coutch etc is looking not that bad now a days
Comment by Qalandar on 14 May 2008:
Agreed satyam. Other stars that I have heard (I don’t know first hand obviously whether any of this is true) who were great to work with include Jackie Shroff. Among directors, on the “gender issue”, I’ve heard that few places in the industry are women treated better than on a Mani/Suhashini Rathnam set (and few where they must have been treated worse than on the sets of a Werner Herzog/Klaus Kinski film! :-)).
Comment by Julie on 14 May 2008:
sandy and som - agreed
Comment by rudresh on 14 May 2008:
“Bachchan of course was the true exception even in those days. His work ethic was and is the touchstone in Bollywood history.”
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm………………………
Comment by ILG on 14 May 2008:
Thanks for bringing up the Tanushree Dutta episode, Q. Whatever happened? That makes my blood boil. I wish the bigwigs had done more to make sure poor girl got justice.
Comment by Julie on 14 May 2008:
“I’m angry because I’m starting to have doubts about his IQ – SRK”s humour may be nasty but what Aamir had done here is embarrassing!”
sandy - nothing wrong with his IQ. In cricketing language he meant to bowl a googly, wounded up bowling a full toss. Beld -you will pat me for demonstrating my limited understanding of cricket. Lol.
Comment by Qalandar on 14 May 2008:
Sandy: if you believe the problem here is not aamir’s INTENT but his pathetic sense of humor, then that has nothing to do with IQ — he’s always struck me as a rather humorless chap, and has demonstrated on his blog why he should stick to being sober and serious! LOL!
Personally, I have no doubt about Aamir’s “intent” — it was to insult SRK and run him down.
Comment by ILG on 14 May 2008:
Re:In cricketing language he meant to bowl a googly, wounded up bowling a full toss.
LOL, Julie. But, he still ended up knocking off the middle stump. No pun intended.
Comment by Ravi on 14 May 2008:
Rudresh, not really sure what was there to “ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm………………………” about?
That is a pretty known fact everywhere.
Comment by Qalandar on 14 May 2008:
Amitabh was one of the first to introduce ultra-professional attitude to the industry: no changing dialogues on location, no attempts to grope heroines or have “small time” directors avoid calling out “CUT” while the heroine was being groped, always punctual, no attempts to blackmail producers by not showing up for shooting/dubbing to pressure them, etc. Nowadays many actors strive to emulate these practices, but back in the day he was one of the very few (even years later, the “late lateefs” were a very very common phenomenon). It’s pretty common knowledge.
A close friend of mine, and a fellow NGite, worked on the sets of Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, and will confirm Amitabh’s incredible professionalism on the sets there, outdoing, even at this age, Abhishek, SRK, Preity Zinta, etc.
Comment by beld o beld on 14 May 2008:
He may have knocked the middle stump but at the wrong end. And now I guess he doesn’t have the ball(plural) with him anymore.
Btw, I think the acceptability is determined more by whom it is directed at more than who is doing it. That’s why its very acceptable when its against louts like slb, vvc and amar singh. And that’s why srk hating fanatics here can’t contain their glee
Comment by ILG on 14 May 2008:
Beld,
Am about to give up the fond hope that some day you will make sense or be able to be objective.
How is SLB a lout? One may or may not like his movies but precisely what is it that makes him a lout? Or VVC for that matter. VVC might be pompous and full of himself and may have pulled strings to send Eklavya to Oscars but similar charges have been levelled against a frequent recipient of FF best actor
awards.
Comment by beld o beld on 14 May 2008:
Hmm ilg. You are talking about making sense and being objective. Do you even know the meaning of that dude. As far as I know, you are good at one thing for sure, and that is to be abusive - you seem to have a doctorate in that too it seems. Stick to your strength fella.
Comment by beld o beld on 14 May 2008:
Hey q, sachin is back. Mumbai or chennai today. Tough choice dude between sachin and chennai.
Comment by satyam on 14 May 2008:
“Stick to your strength fella”
Yes do so ILG, specially since the other side richly deserves it!
for the record I’ve never seen the alleged ‘abusive’ stuff from you. Perhaps I just need to be on the forum more!
Comment by beld o beld on 14 May 2008:
The other side can take, smile and give back unlike you 2 cronies who go crying to rks. Btw, its usually ilg wiping your ass, what’s with the role reversal?
Comment by satyam on 14 May 2008:
“And that’s why srk hating fanatics here can’t contain their glee ”
Takes one fanatic to know another!
Bachchan fanaticism is a little like Bach fanaticism, a bit like Shakespeare fanaticism. SRK fanaticism is a little like Beach Boys fanaticism, a bit like John Grisham fanaticism. The first kind requires literacy, the second relative absence of it!
Comment by satyam on 14 May 2008:
“Btw, its usually ilg wiping your ass, what’s with the role reversal?”
Sadly I am unable to respond this. I pride myself on some culture!
Comment by beld o beld on 14 May 2008:
Lol satyam, keep trying. You may get it right some day. If we are illiterate, so be it. I would rather be a illiterate than a abusive snob like u or ilg