Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has dubbed as media exaggeration stories about rivalry between him and mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

“Some of it is exaggerated. Like stories about rivalry between me and Mr. Bachchan,” SRK said in an interaction at the Hindustan Leadership Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

The actor said the new, nascent media was offering a log of jobs and the people who were being recruited did not have a good idea of what should be done.

SRK, however, said a lot of the reportage also made people in politics as well as in the entertainment world more accountable.
“I have used the media for my gains time and again. Now, I can’t complain that they are using me. We have a synergy here. We go along hand-in-hand,” said the superstar.

The actor, who will next be seen in the Farah Khan directed Om Shanti Om releasing next month, also rubbished the idea that his new fitter avatar was a result of any fear of the newcomers in Bollywood.

“I am trying to play a young, 2007 film star who has six pack and long hair. I was under no pressure (from the younger actors),” he said responding to a question on the motivation for building his body. If you think I am scared of being dethroned as the King of Bollywood, I would say shut up,” SRK said.

Not keen to join the list of Indian actors looking for international exposure, SRK said he would prefer to get an Oscar that is by India and for the world.

The screen icon admitted that he has never been approached by any Hollywood filmmaker, but said he believed that working in the West could not be a pre-requisite or requirement for an actor to be considered good.

“I don’t think working in Hollywood is going to make me a better actor,” SRK said.

SRK said he was tired of attending the likes of Oscars and the Cannes Film Festival and promoting Indian cinema there.
SRK said his dream was to “get an Oscar by India, in India for the world. And I hope that comes through.” “I would rather rule in hell than serve in heaven,” he said.

The Bollywood star said the Indian film industry could go global if it spruced up its infrastructure and brought about changes in the format of the films by shortening them to a length of around one-and-a-half hours.

SRK, however, said songs and dance should be retained as these were the USP of Indian films.

To another question, SRK said he was not in favour of banning smoking or drinking scenes in films, saying films have to reflect the reality.

“Films do reflect the reality. And if you are playing a bad guy, you need to look bad,” SRK said.

Asked what he would like to do if he was given the chance to run the country for a day, SRK said: “I want to make public utilities and amenities for women all over the country. I have tremendous amount of respect for women.”

“When I am driving through smaller towns, I see there are no amenities for women where they can have some privacy,” SRK said.

Shah Rukh will be seen quizzing three celebrity duos on the show – Bollywood’s sizzling couple Malaika Arora Khan and Arbaaz Khan, the brother-sister duo Farhan and Zoya Akhtar and last, but not the least, best pals Farah Khan and Karan Johar.

Keeping with the mood of the occasion, the king of romance will make a grand entry amid heart shaped balloons as he sings to the title track of “Main Hoon Na”.

The evening offers fun, romance and drama as Shah Rukh gets to test the bond of love in various relationships – soul mates, siblings and just friends sit on the hot seat to match their wits with Mr. Computer.

Amid all the tense moments Shah Rukh in his own distinct style will lighten up the atmosphere often dashing his quick wit and tickling humour. He will make simple requests to Arbaaz to sing and woo Malaika to the tunes of ‘Dilbar mere kab tak mujhe’.

As soon as the loving couple will complete their term they will leave, but not before grooving with the host to the cadence of the song “Chaiyya chaiyya”.

Zoya makes a few revelations about her brother that had him laughing with embarrassment. Finally, it will be a laughter-riot as Karan and Farah will take to the hot seat and will ensure that everyone is in splits with their friendly and not-so-friendly ribbing on the show.

The three celeb-duos will donate all their winnings to various charities and causes that they hold close to their hearts.

Arbaaz and Malaika will donate the amount to St. Anthony’s Home for the Aged, Zoya and Farhan will give it to Nivara Hakk Welfare and Karan and Farah will contribute to Bal Jeevan Trust.