Fox acquires worldwide rights of 'My Name Is Khan'

Mumbai, Aug 6 (PTI) Fox Star Studios, a joint venture
between 20th Century Fox and Star, Thursday announced that it
has acquired the marketing and distribution rights of Shah
Rukh Khan starrer 'My Name is Khan'.

The deal had been at the centre of media reports
claiming that the rights were acquired for a whopping Rs 100
crore but the figure has been brushed off as "inaccurate" by
the studio.

"We have acquired the rights of the film at the most
appropriate value. All the figures doing rounds the media are
inaccurate. We don't discuss numbers. Nothing you have been
reading is correct," said Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studio
when asked if the film has been acquired for the staggering
amount.

Both Singh and Sanford Panitch, President of Twentieth
Century Fox International Productions, declined to divulge the
amount at which the deal had been sealed.
Fox Star will also finance the film in which Shah Rukh
essays the character of Rizwan Khan who suffers from 'Asperger
Syndrome', a form of autism that impacts social interaction
abilities.

Shahrukh expressed confidence that the deal with Fox
will help Indian cinema reach international audiences.

"It is a very important film for me personally hence I
decided to become the co-producer as well. It's a brave, new
entertaining film and I hope we will not let Fox Studios
down," Khan said.

Fox Star will market and distribute the film in India
while Fox Searchlight Pictures will release the film in
United States. 20th Century Fox International will distribute
the film outside of India and the United States.

Starring Shah Rukh and Kajol, the film has Khan's
Red Chillies production house also on board as co-producer.
It is slated for release early next year.

Panitch said 'My Name is Khan' is an emotional
journey which crosses borders and cultures while hoping that
the deal will prove to be the first step towards a long term
relationship with Bollywood.

"This is the first mainstream Bollywood film that we
will be distributing worldwide. This is an ongoing commitment
from our side to Bollywood," Panitch added.

Karan Johar, who is directing and co-producing the
film, said his film explores human emotions that are relevant
to people across the world.

"This movie is about human emotions that are relevant
to people across the world and I am happy that the audience
which is unfamiliar with these films will get a chance to see
what Indian cinema has to offer to the world," said Johar.

"For us, this tie-up was important to find a partner
who is like-minded, has a similar vision and the capability to
take Indian cinema to the international market," said Johar,
who has directed blockbusters like 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and
'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'. PTI MR
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