Shahrukh Khan: Inspiration in a cape

Bollywood star SRK hopes to encourage the concept of local superheroes.

MUMBAI:

Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan is gearing up for the release of his new special effects-packed film, while hoping that it will trigger a spate of Hollywood-style superhero films in India.

Ra.One, which hits screens at Diwali on October 26, has cost more than one billion rupees ($20 million) to make and is one of the most ambitious and expensive films in the history of Indian cinema. Khan says that the film — in which he stars as G.One who saves humanity from evil villain — has more special effects than James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster Avatar and has the potential to mark a shift in the local film industry.

“This film is one of a kind,” says Khan. “I feel it will take the Indian film industry one step forward from what we have been doing. After this film, I feel there will be other Indian superheroes in our films and many more actors to follow.”

Recently, Shahrukh, who is one of the three powerful Khans of Bollywood, has been eclipsed by the other two Khans, Aamir and Salman, who have both set box office records with works such as 3 Idiots, Dabangg and Bodyguard. Shahrukh Khan’s last high-profile film was My Name Is Khan in 2009, which was hailed by its studio at the time as Bollywood’s first truly international picture, yet it was more successful abroad than at home.

The superstar may say he is not worried about whether his latest venture is a success, but his publicity drive from video game launches to marketing tie-ups and a dedicated YouTube channel, suggests otherwise. For the time being, however, he has decided to talk about how India should have its own superheroes and that the country is now well-placed to do so. Khan’s own production and distribution company, Red Chillies Entertainment, has a special effects division.

“We need to make Harry Potters,Supermen and Spidermen here, just like we did earlier in films like Krrish or Drona,” states the superstar.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2011.