Shah Rukh Khan Takes Berlin By Storm

By Manik Mehta BERLIN, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- As the curtain went up for a ten-day glamour event in Berlin, with international movie stars and anyone remotely connected with movies descending on the German capital, the city was transformed into a showcase of faces that most Germans only get to see on the screen. One such personality was Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who attended the annual film awards known as the Berlinale, which opened Saturday. However, SRK, as the Bollywood star is often referred to by the media, was also here to participate in the premiere of his latest action thriller, “Don-2,” which was extensively shot in Berlin. Bollywood has in the past shown an indifference to filming on location in Germany where, as many Indians and Asians often complain that the environment is unfriendly to foreigners. Instead, Bollywood has shot many of its films in Switzerland, France, Mauritius, South Africa, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Indeed, SRK’s "Don" prequel was shot on location in Malaysia and was a box-office hit. THE MAFIA BOSS' CHARM In "Don-2", SRK plays the boss of an Indian mafia ring that extends its tentacles to Germany, providing an excuse for shooting the film in Berlin. As he arrived at the Berlinale, the gathering of fans went berserk, with females going into frenzy-like screaming at his sight. SRK’s presence in Berlin made it vividly clear to the city’s tourism planners what they could have achieved in terms of publicity had Hollywood star Tom Cruise shot his "Mission Impossible-3" in Berlin. As it turned out, Cruise decided to take his crew to Rome because he found the atmosphere in Berlin discouraging. Nonetheless, Berlin tourism experts can be consoled that they got an equally renowned film ace from India. "It is a surprise that Shah Rukh Khan decided to shoot the film in Berlin. Credit for this should be given to Berlin, which is trying to attract visitors from India who usually prefer to go to Switzerland, the UK, France and to the USA. Hopefully, Khan’s film will work as bait for high-spending tourism traffic from India," Guido Haupt, who works for a German tour operating company, told Bernama. BOLLYWOOD GAINING RECOGNITION IN GERMANY SRK’s "Don-2" had a glittering special premiere at the Berlinale on Saturday night. Bollywood was hardly known in Germany a decade or so ago. Indian films were then viewed mainly by the Indian diaspora, with Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Arabs and other Asians often joining the crowds, with an occasional white face spotted in the audience, possibly, persuaded by friends to come along. However, with the advent of globalisation and India’s recognised prowess in a number of scientific and technological fields, particularly the information-technology sector, the German perception of India and everything Indian has changed radically. From a land of Taj Mahal, tigers and beggars, India is now a coveted partner in business, technology and the arts. "Don-2" does not fail to capture Berlin’s sights and sounds in an impressive way. One of the highlights of the film is an action scene at the Alexanderplatz, where SRK’s character jumps from the roof of Park Inn Hotel below into the street. There are, of course, fights, heists, romance and the city itself, whose image is enhanced with technical effects. SRK’s arrival at the Friedrichstadtpalast venue, eagerly anticipated by the waiting crowds, foremost of all by teenage girls, generated a lot of interest. Wir lieben Dich, Shah Rukh!” (“We love you, Shah Rukh”) a blonde German young schoolgirl shouted. Shamsi Ali, a Malaysian from Johor, said that he was happy to have a glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan. “I am here on a short business visit on my way to London, but I am delighted I could see the actor in flesh and blood. I had seen him only in movies,” he told Bernama. SRK’s female co-star in the film, Priyanka Chopra, also arrived in Berlin. -- BERNAMA