AA GAYA DEKHO DON: People in Lucknow waited in anticipation of Shah Rukh Khan's visit days before the star actually came on Wednesday on his first ever trip to Lucknow.
Thousands gathered at a local mall from morning where King Khan made an appearance in the evening along with co-star Priyanka Chopra, director Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani for the promotion of his film ""Don-2"".
The Shah Rukh fever was evident at the airport as fans gathered there in large numbers to catch the first glimpse of King Khan. A fan also lay down in front of SRK's car and refused to budge till the star signed an autograph for him. The charmer that he is, SRK, gladly obliged and only then did his cavalcade move ahead.
The same frenzy of fans was witnessed at the mall too where people stepped on toes, nudged and pushed their through the jam packed atrium to get as close to the stage as possible. Girls, women and men screamed a chorus of 'Shah Rukh' as he stepped on to the stage. ""Adaab Lucknow"" were his first words which was met with a resounding ""adaab"" by the audience. Expressing his regret in reaching Lucknow late SRK thanked the people for giving him a warm welcome. SRK then introduced Priyanka and said. ""Inhe toh aap special welcome dijiye. Yeh toh aapke Lucknow ki hi hain. She has studied in La Martiniere College here and loves the city,"" which was followed by a flying kiss and waving from Priyanka for the crowd. Saying the dialogues from his film ""Don-2"" Shah Rukh entertained the crowd and also serenaded Priyanka on stage. The two danced on the song ""Zara Dil Ko Thaam Lo"" and the crowd went berserk in trying to capture each and every moment on their mobile phones and cameras.
""I have always wanted to come to Lucknow and I'm so glad to be here,"" said he. ""Yahan ki tehzeeb, mehmaan-nawaazi ke bare mein maine itna suna tha ki mujhe yahan aana hi pada,"" said he. The crowd too craned their necks and leaned on the railing to catch a glimpse of the stars. So much so that when Farhan pointed out the same to SRK, he requested people to step away from the railing. ""Please don't fall off the railing. I know you love me but I won't want anyone of you to get hurt,"" he urged. Shah Rukh, Priyanka, Farhan and Ritesh later addressed a press conference and spent the night at a local hotel where they sampled the Tunde Kababs, biryani, qorma and phirni which SRK ahd been wanting to have ever since he had come to Lucknow. The four then left for Patna the next day at noon.
THE ETERTNAL CHARMER: After charming the crowd outside SRK and team headed inside for the press con where he rendered the journos toungue tied with his classic rejoinders.
Dodging the repeated questions of an eager fan of who according to SRK, was the number one hero in Bollywood SRK replied, ""Darling I've heard your question, just wait a few moments. Aap baar-baar na poochhen mein aapko zaroor jawab doonga,"" adding, ""I'm not part of the number game. So I don't know who is number one and number two. Isn't that for you people to decide?""
On being asked the reason for people to watch ""Don 2"" SRK in his non-chalant style said, ""Apne munh mein apni tareef kaise karun. But jokes apart. This story takes forward the previous film and you all must watch it.""
A few more questions followed and suddenly Shah Rukh said.""Weren't we supposed to be felicitated?"" leaving everyone flummoxed and a scramble ensued as people hurried to get the bouquets to give to the stars. Munching on popcorn the four then answered questions patiently. Having avoided the question of supporting Anna Hazare till now, SRK answered the same very diplomatically saying it was for the government to decide the issue and he was too small a person to comment on it. 'As far as my contributing to the cause monetarily, I feel that is too small an issue and should not be discussed so frivolously and casually,"" he said turning to Priyanka to and asking ""Was I okay with my reply?"" to which she replied, ""You answered very well"" followed by nod of approval from Farhan too.
A keen journo then commented on SRK's looks these days. Sporting a ponytail and stubble SRK exuded a rugged charm. Not agreeing with the charming bit SRK said. ""This look has been sported for the film. And these days when I get up and look at myself in the mirror, I also get scared because my hair is all tousled and standing on my head and my kids complain that my stubble hurts them when I cuddle them.""
Talking of children someone mentioned SRK's promise of quitting smoking. On this too he said, ""I'm trying to do that and I have also cut down on the number of cigarettes I smoke. Mainly this is because of my kids who don't like my smoking. Insha Allah I soon will be able to give up the habit completely.""
It was as of the other three were forgotten but Farhan too was asked if a sequel to his first film ""Rock On"" was in store for the audience. Looking relieved at being asked at least one question Farhan relied, ""I would love to make as sequel of ""Rock On"" but I still haven't thought of it. I first want ""Don 2"" to be successful and then I have ""Bhaag Milkha Bhaag"" to concentrate on and only then will I think of my directorial projects."" Asked if the audience would see Shah Rukh and Priyanka in any other projects of his apart from the ""Don"" series Farhan said he loves the two and would definitely cast both or either if the role required them. Meanwhile Shah Rukh and Priyanka nodded their heads in refusal and said they would 'only' like to be cast in the ""Don"" series.
Priyanka meanwhile reminisced her stay in Lucknow as a kid and said, ""I have studied in the La Martiniere Girls' College here in Lucknow and I have very fond memories of the city. I'm glad I came here during winters because Mumbai mein toh sardi ka mazaa aata hi nahi hai. I'm loving the weather here and now I'm going to snuggle into my razai and enjoy the kababs anb biryani,"" she said.
Courtesy : TOI
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