Get on the train baby!

Well well well...I never imagined that I would be writing this post when there is less than 70 days left for Mr. Khan's upcoming release. Either I was hibernating or it's been a very eventful year so far. Well who cares anyway, it's party time!!! I'd like to jump start this party with a short recap...yes I have a pretty good memory.

On the day of late Yash Chopra's 81st birthday, the shooting begun. Sarita was kind enough to share the picture of the clapboard

Rohit Shetty begins shooting for Chennai Express with Shah Rukh Khan today twitter.com/SaritaTanwar/s…
— Sarita Tanwar (@SaritaTanwar) September 27, 2012

Then the shooting continued. Shah Rukh tweeted often about it as well. It seemed like he had a lot of fun working on this film. Did you know that Rohit Shetty is the 58th director that is working with Shah Rukh? Yeah he is.

 After a short schedule in Mumbai, the train shifted to Goa, followed by a long schedule in Wai, then Munnar, and Hyderabad. During the shooting, Shah Rukh also injured his right shoulder while doing some high octane action, resulting in surgery that he went through just a few days back. He is still recovering although highly in pain. :(

Of course we had enough pictures from the sets to cherish while they worked hard day and night to complete the film. My personal favorite happens to be this one.

Heroine ko bhagana SRK se seekho! What’s going through the minds of SRK & Deepika in this #ChennaiExpress shot? twitter.com/ChennaiExp2013…
— Chennai Express (@ChennaiExp2013) May 19, 2013

The shoot fully wrapped up on May 30th, 2013. Wow, impressive huh? From September 27th to May 30th. That's a long time. You can imagine the amount of hard work put in this film!

So when did the official promotional campaign start? On January 2nd (as in 1st for me), we got a few posters of the movie. It was a bloody slow day. At first, my friend shown me the official twitter of the film at about 6 in the morning my time. I was too excited but I didn't follow them because it seemed like a freshly made account, a chuck of gold in a public gold mine. So I eagerly waited and waited until people started following it. But no one knew about it. Oh God I couldn't hold on anymore and I pressed the damn follow button. Then my other friend sent me the Facebook page for them, LIKED THEM LIKE A BOSS!

At 9 in the morning, the genie came out from the lamp! OMG! I mean a tweet from the account

King of Romance @iamsrk meets the Maharaja of Action Comedy @rohitshettyfilm. #ChennaiExpress 1st look set to be unveiled at Midnight (IST)!
— Chennai Express (@ChennaiExp2013) January 1, 2013

Now the fun began on twitter, the news spread like wildfire that first look of CE is gonna be released!!  The waiting game had officially started. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tring! It is midnight! The poster is coming just about now....now...now...now...oh wait -_-

Now that you have boarded the Chennai express, it is running 2 hours late...will arrive on the platform at sharp 2 AM (IST)!
— Chennai Express (@ChennaiExp2013) January 1, 2013

Hahahahahaha. We forgot this is not Subway or Bullet train we are talking about, this is Chennai Express! Train is bound to be late. How can we forget the stereotype about Indian trains being late? Ehm...anyway. After dozing off here and there and plenty of curses later, the first poster was out!

And……finally! Here comes the Chennai Express. Make sure you’re #ReadySteadyPo! twitter.com/ChennaiExp2013…
— Chennai Express (@ChennaiExp2013) January 1, 2013

 O_o looks fun! That was my first reaction seeing the confused-shocked-cute-hot expression of Mr. Khan who seems to have found the South Indian pit of hell. But this was not it. We met Yo! already but where is Aiiyo? O_O

#Yo meets #Aiiyo. #ChennaiExpress @iamsrk @deepikapadukone @rohitshettyfilm twitter.com/ChennaiExp2013…
— Chennai Express (@ChennaiExp2013) January 1, 2013

 Ah there she is.  This poster seems to have a lot of symbols of this film. It looks like mad fun. I am starting to like it now. I love these kinds of film and I can feel there is a sweet innocence in it too. Hold on buddy, there is M.O.R.E.

Who’ll dare to stop this Express? @iamsrk and @deepikapadukone in @rohitshettyfilm’s Chennai Express! twitter.com/ChennaiExp2013…
— Chennai Express (@ChennaiExp2013) January 2, 2013

 The damsel and hunk in lungi. Wow, from somewhere I could feel a cool breeze flowing in the lower part of my body. Besides the lungi, they both look like gangsters. You know as a child, I loved wearing a lungi although I am a girl then pose like a dirty villain, not knowing how DIRTY my expressions were. Growing up kills innocence. So where were we? Oh yeah the last poster of the day! Not much different than the first one, except this is more kid friendly, meaning they are not holding guns.

After that day, a long holiday for us fans started. Until March when we got to know about the touching gesture from Shah Rukh. If you read the beginning credits when you watch movies, most of the time, the male actor's name is put first then the female and the rest of the cast. So Shah Rukh has decided to put Deepika's name first then his in the beginning credits. Deepika herself is quite excited about this. While it is not a huge change but it is nevertheless special. I felt proud of Shah Rukh and extremely happy for Deepika.

In between all this, we obviously had plenty of rumors. Especially rumors about the trailer. The trailer was attached with Kai Po Che, Himmatwala, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani and maybe more films I am forgetting. The rumors of the trailer were so strong that media decided to write articles based on a few tweets of dumb fans that the "Extraa Innings" show where Shah Rukh made an appearance for the promotion of the film was a flop. Whereas it was quite a good hit. People were in splits over Shah Rukh's numerous jokes on Siddhu Paaji and Shah Rukh's camaraderie with Srikkanth Sir. The show was on May 26th, during the IPL final. On the same platform, Shah Rukh confirmed the release date for the film. It will be releasing on Eid of this year, meaning August 8th. Well for once, the "sources" were right.

This show also had promos. In the promos, we heard a bit of the title track as well. The title track being sung by the legendary, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, who has sung his first Hindi song in 15 years, has caught on with many of us. I loved it. I cannot wait for the full song to come out. The music for the film has been composed by Vishal-Shekhar. God, I love those two so much!!

Oh yeah, although I said so much, I forgot to mention what CE is about. Chennai Express is about a man's journey from Mumbai to Rameswaram and what takes place throughout the journey. Quite interesting right? But don't expect it to be a documentary obviously. This is a romantic comedy. Have heard from Deepika that she is romancing Shah Rukh a lot in the film. Now that makes me far more excited. I was upset while watching Om Shanti Om, SRK-DP's last film together, as they didn't have too many romantic scenes. I'm nuts for romance. 

Hope you enjoyed this short rewind of some of the major events surrounding CE. Less than 70 days to go and we all board the Chennai Express at our nearest theater! :D

Before I sign off of here, just a small request. I enjoy waiting for things when I know the real date and I love waiting with my friends as well. But I do not like waiting based on rumors. In recent weeks, I have noticed numbers of rumors spreading online that have come from, as alleged, RCE employees. Please rather than speaking about your information from RCE in public, keep it private because we'd all like to avoid disappointment. Hardly many can keep the disappointments to themselves, so when you write about you being disappointed, haters read it and curse the film and its actors. Let us peacefully and lovingly wait for August 8 because Rohit, Shah Rukh, Deepika, the whole team have made a sweet film for us, we should respect it. Please. Thank you.

Chak De! India

Nowadays when I watch a film, I realized I really get into it, meaning I just focus on the film. Maybe because I have been so busy this year that watching a film actually takes me to another world. Which was not the case before...unusually.

Anyway, recently I watched CDI again. It was really great to watch it after a long time. My favorite part of the film is the McDonald's fight before interval. It wasn't just funny but also had an emotional feel to it. All these girls from different states who could not stand each other, suddenly stand up for each other and fight those flirting boys. You get united in the worst of situations.

Although I have watched this film a couple of times but trust me, each and every game of the tournament covered in the film STILL makes me nervous. Just like I get nervous for any KKR match. I don't know why this happens though because even while watching it the first time in theater, it had a predictable climax (seriously you think Australia would have won??) so I don't know. If you watch this film from start to ending or second half to ending, you just get engrossed in the story. 

I loved the girls a lot in this film. Each has their own problems..problems that have a long term solution. Whether it's Vidya, who goes against her husband and his family to join the camp; or Gul, who is battling the pressure to live up to her whole clan's fame in hockey; or Bindiya's tension with her best friend, Gunjan because Gunjan urges her to play as directed by Coach Kabir; or even Bindiya's ego issues with the sudden game changes set out by Coach Kabir.

Even Coach Kabir has his own issues. Besides looking deliciously sexy with a beard and sending off orgasm alerts to the girls, he waits 7 years for his opportunity to turn things around for himself. Having been tagged as a traitor just because he misses a goal against Pakistan, resulting in defeat, he has to wipe off the bad name. After being driven away from the neighborhood where he had spent all of his life, Kabir is shown to get back home after coaching his team of females to World Cup victory. The nation then hails him and his whole hockey career, forgetting that single defeat which put him in 7 years of misery. How easy is it for us to bring someone up and down right?

The most amusing character was Balbir, the hot headed Punjabi girl. How much she changes during the camp and championship was amazing. Sometimes the opportunities we get have more than one positives for us. So I guess it is best to never let go of a opportunity.

You know I don't consider CDI as one of Shah Rukh's best performances. It is a great film indeed but it succeeds for me due to the girls more. And I believe Shah Rukh's best films are those where he plays a totally challenging role. This was not challenging, in fact, I'd like to believe he had opportunity to play a role of a teacher. Remember he said that if he wasn't an actor, he'd be a teacher? That was his opportunity here. And he nailed it for sure.

What's going on?

It's been a while since I have written anything about Shah Rukh. Well of course there have not been anything new that would be worthy of a mention on this blog. Just kidding, I have been lazy, that's all.

I have been missing him ever since he left twitter, feels like as if I've been cutoff from a big portion of my life. I know, I shouldn't be feeling like this because there was a pre-Twitter time as well. But guess what? I'm spoiled. And I can't help but not miss him. I do respect his decision to stay away from social networks and let his team sort out everything. But I am a fan of the man himself, not his team. It's alright, life will go on anyway.

So IPL started with KKR winning their first game and losing the second. By now, I should be used to everything (as usual) but a defeat is a defeat. I hate losing. It is one of the worst feelings ever, makes me wanna cry. Here's hoping they improve in the coming matches.

I actually feel very blah as I write this. I feel very empty. Past few weeks, I have been busy organizing my facebook pages that are dedicated to him of course and also creating what I had initiated 2 years back, the playgirl magazine. It is finished and published online. Took me a lot of time, thinking and hard work to create it. It is something very new for me because I personally have never looked at Shah Rukh and think, "oh he's so sexy and handsome" until very recently. So it is quite an amateur like edition and I kept Shah Rukh's own dignity in mind while creating it. I admit, I had plenty of times where feelings started arousing for him (but I controlled and still don't envy Gauri) because he is really God's best creation and the first man whom I have explored so much via images. LOL I know this sounds damn awkward but if you were in my shoes, trust me, you would feel the same.

I will confess another thing, I love hunting for his photos online, older photos. Then I dump it all in my facebook page, RetroSRK. It is fun to discover the many events he attended over the years. He has been associated with so many brands, causes, etc. It feels like an event in India is incomplete without his presence. He's the eye candy of every event he graces with his presence.

Oh yes, I never wrote about my mini SRK center. It actually is shamefully very mini, considering how long I have been his fan. There are selected DVD's, actually nearly complete collection from 2004 onwards. Posters too which I haven't put up yet. The OSO ones would be hung before in our garage but not anymore...we've moved too frequently in recent years. The autographed Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi CD is still in its original bubble envelope. I still cannot forget, Jan 24, 2009 when it had arrived, TOTALLY unexpected and it was not even something I was eager to win. A wise friend has said it right, when you don't expect, that's when things start happening. Anyway, then I have this Ra.One journal that I have filled with a few newspaper articles and tons of pictures. Those pictures are my favorites. I chose them carefully over the last 5 years.  Of course, Shah Rukh's gift is still with me, a little vial of perfume that is now discontinued. I also kept the envelope in which I would have put a letter for him and mailed it but I never did because I was confused about his address and I still am. Theater ticket stubs, magazines, a dard-e-disco decorative plate, books, all are in there. I am shocked they all fit in, considering how small the center itself is. I will keep improving it as much as I can.

What else am I missing? I have been fangirling even today over that JTHJ video chat where he answered two of my questions. Oh my, he made me fall in love with my own name. My family tells me that Shah Rukh knows me well by now and I can't help but laugh. I am just one fan in the crowd of millions. Seriously I am an ordinary fan, not following or leading, but just lost. Yes, I am lost in his fandom. It is most of the time, big, boring, too competitive, always demanding, you need to watch your words to avoid embarrassment and rude too (I am too sensitive). Best to keep shut or just take a break or be independent. I try to be independent as much as I can. Actually I no longer even talk about him in the social networks I am a part of. I don't know why but I am losing interest from this too big of a crowd.

God knows when Chennai Express will release, I still await for a official announcement. No promo yet either. Just a new still recently came out which reminded me of Koyla for a few reasons. I love the whole excitement when a movie's promo comes out or the release date is approaching. I have already collected pictures and videos to celebrate Shah Rukh and Deepika's pair. Can't wait to post them and free space from my computer!

Well, guess time for me to get back to my work...until another time, bye.

Why do you like Shah Rukh?

Done a little survey on twitter since most of my followers are Shah Rukh's fans just like me! Here is what people have to say. I asked: Why do you like Shah Rukh Khan? Please write one full sentence.

@SRKblockbuster: Because SRK is genuine and a complete man.. He is inspires me with his hardwork and intellect..

@PRERANAbebo: I think if u don't love him or at least admitted that he gave a lot 2 Indian cinema then u r a completely tasteless person.

@iam_nada: He is very kind to all his fans and he is so talent actor.

@TheIrfanMughal: I cant, one sentence is not enough.

@Srk_Rulezzz: I also don't know why and since when I like SRK !! _________ really !!

@Zsrkmaniac: I fell for him when I was 12.. And this heart never see's reasons.

@SamarOoO_SRK: I like his eyes the most ..OMG those killing looks gonna kill me some day...love him for being the normal person who's kind humble respectful loving & attractive.

@HindLoveSRK: I Love SRK Because He Is The Greatest At Everything.

@danshula: Nothing...no reason.

@Hena_SRK: I Love SRK 4 his humanity, generosity his love 4 his Wife & Kids & Most of All 4 His Respect 2 Woman's & Loyalty.

@LiveLife4SRK: honestly still could not figure out why i like srk so much, maybe he is a magician.

@iam_Jinesh: for no reasons and i am pretty proud of that...even if he makes 100 other KOYLAs and GUDDUs..I will watch them all.

@iam4srk: I don't know but his charm and personality appeals me and am attracted towards him nd thus I like him.

@Maani93: Love him for he who is as an human being, his down to earth personality, his behavior, nature n towards women n girls, love him for everything he does for his fans n us, he is just the BEST man I ever saw, no one can be like him in any matter!!

@me_ajmal: Because he has established himself on his own.

@iamsouravroy: I don't know, may be I don't wanna know, just keep on loving him like that without a reason!

@maliha_me:  It's not that I don't know why, it's more like, I don't know where to begin.. :)

@DonNeverDies: I like shah rukh because he is a great actor, very versatile, humble, funny, cares about his family and last but not least...SEXY.

@fsharkz: I love Shah Rukh because he brings so much love light and happiness into my life with everything he does and he is the one who at the worst time of my life gave me hope that yes, there is still some goodness left in this world...he's my angel!

@nikhilsebastian: because, irrespective of all the fame n accolades, he receives, for him, his kids n his wife will always be priority!

@KnightsDen: I like SRK because he makes the surreal look so real.

@BoRiNa_CEZ: He's humble, beautiful & brilliant!

@ShahRuleKhan: Coz he is the only pure soul in this impure world..

@1mamalama1: I love Shahrukh Khan cause he knows how to love, respect & is always willing to take time out if his busy schedule for his fans.

@gaurifairy:  Cannot think of a specific reason, may be it's just coz heart sees purity and hence loves him.

@SRK_Marcus_Mish: Like is too little. Love is even bigger. I love him!

@JunaidAdmani:  wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, and personality

@MyTweetsForSRK: Love doesn't need a reason...I just know that I LOVE him a lot! :)

@CoffeeMumsie: Isn't the word like itself an totally understatement??!! 

@PakistaniSRKian: Because he's Shah Rukh Khan.

@Ninja_srk: because I am born to like and support him.

@jagibaby: Like=understatement, so, I do love him coz despite his possible flaws+bad habits he´s the most wonderful human being there is!

Obviously I had to write this

January is nearly over and how can we be without any blood boiling incident? Hey, we are fans of a man who is most of the time misunderstood after all! Anyway, they say relatives are equal to bugs, Shah Rukh seems to be facing the exact problem from Pakistan where his late father's and his proud relatives live. While it is not his relatives making his life blurry at the moment but two people in the country are doing so. Two people you ask? Just two? Yeah well two people who perhaps Shah Rukh does not even hear the names of on a daily or weekly basis. 

But as usual, the Indian media doing it again, their colors don't seem to lie just like Shakira's hips don't lie. They covered neighbors' Hafeez's and Malik's irrelevant comments on Shah Rukh's essay and used ONE line from the essay on which, thousands have pitted their hatred for SRK on.

I sometimes become the inadvertent object of political leaders who choose to make me a symbol of all that they think is wrong and unpatriotic about Muslims in India.  There have been occasions when I have been accused of bearing allegiance to our neighboring nation rather than my own country - this even though I am an Indian, whose father fought for the freedom of India. Rallies have been held where leaders have exhorted me to leave and return what they refer to my "original homeland".

Okay he said that. But is this enough to make you question his loyalty to India? If he was an ordinary man and not a superstar and he wrote this, perhaps it would either get overshadowed or few people would read and agree/disagree and that's it. I agree with him although I am not an Indian. How irritated would a HUMAN BEING be if he is occasionally questioned "Are you Indian for real?" or are you this and that? I ask to all Indians, if someone questioned your loyalty to India, won't you feel angered? I don't even care if you're a Hindu or Muslim! Ask yourself this question. Why do you seem to forget that PUBLIC FIGURES like Shah Rukh are ALSO HUMAN BEINGS? 

If I were an aggressive American and I read his essay, I would tell him not to ever put his foot in the soil of USA. Because he cleverly bashed America and his whole message was pointed to Americans who thinks Muslims are terrorists. But I have been brought up better fortunately. You might wanna read the following lines from his essay.

I became so sick of being mistaken for some crazed terrorist who coincidentally carries the same last name as mine that I made a film, subtly titled My name is Khan (and I am not a terrorist) to prove a point. Ironically, I was interrogated at the airport for hours about my last name when I was going to present the film in America for the first time.

I wonder, at times, whether the same treatment is given to everyone whose last name just happens to be McVeigh (as in Timothy)??

I don’t intend to hurt any sentiments, but truth be told, the aggressor and taker of life follows his or her own mind. It has to nothing to do with a name, a place or his/her religion. It is a mind that has its discipline, its own distinction of right from wrong and its own set of ideologies. In fact, one might say, it has its own “religion”. This religions has nothing to do with the ones that have existed for centuries and been taught in mosques or churches. The call of the azaan or the words of the pope have no bearing on this person’s soul. His soul is driven by the devil. I, for one, refuse to be contextualized by the ignorance of his ilk.

Why are YOU reacting when WE, Americans should be reacting and bashing him? Grow up India and Pakistan! And perhaps read EVERYTHING before forming your opinion based on one piece of INCOMPLETE news.But if you just decide to hate on him, then I feel sorry for you that you are not able to love a man like him.

And India has the biggest democracy in the world right? Why isn't the most prominent face of India not allowed to speak his mind? Why can't you respect his point of view and move on with your life? Why make a big deal about it? Why should he be shushed when he receives ill treatment from any part of the world? Why are you being such hypocrites? Just because he's a movie star?

How is he a bad Indian citizen? I don't hear him ducking his yearly taxes. I never heard him outsourcing his hard earned funds to Pakistan or any other country. The whole world knows he's an Indian actor, not a Pakistani actor. He received honor from UNESCO for his charitable work IN India, not abroad. He adopted villages of India, not Pakistan. Be sure to consider his deeds (which happens to be much bigger than an ordinary Indian citizen's...the same citizen who forms an opinion about him) before dismissing him as non-loyal to his country India.

If you have problems with him earning money the way he does then it's his choice and people like you pay him for the job he does. He gives back as much as he earns. He is saving money for his kids who are Indian citizens. Do you still feel he's not a loyal Indian? Even after I have stated so many points? Then you are most welcome to go shove your so called patriotic ass somewhere else. But do not make the mistake of judging Shah Rukh. You are no one to judge him and hurt him with your silly comments and opinions. 

My journey...

Guess the best way to start off this story is by saying that Shah Rukh is a huge part of my life. He’s as necessary for my survival as oxygen, food, and water. It sounds childish on my part to say how my birth coincides with his film debut with a week of gap in between but I guess it’s quite valid in some case. Having been born a week post Deewana’s release, I now believe I was destined to the privilege of knowing and loving Shah Rukh. Couple of years passed by and we entered a new millennium, my love for him took on a life of its own. For those early years, I loved him as an actor mostly. Although I had access to net but I didn’t utilize it to discover how SRK off the reel is until Kal Ho Na Ho released.  From 2004 to 2008, I began to understand him beyond his films. And that has become a part of my daily life.

My first film in theater EVER was Main Hoon Na and it was such a magical experience. I really experienced Shah Rukh for the first time in my life. Before I only heard that he can make people cry and laugh in the span of three hours but who knew I’d also get to experience the same. It felt as if he controlled my emotions for 3 hours. From then on, I have never ever missed a single movie of his in theater except Paheli because I had some personal problems.  I take lessons from his films and apply them in real life which has actually helped me shape my personality for the better. This is something normally no one does because, after all, films are for mere entertainment.

When you love a celebrity, you are bound to dream of meeting him or her. I never dreamed of meeting him, but it is a wish. A wish which had more than 30 days of chance to be fulfilled but circumstances held me back. In 2009, he spent over a month shooting in San Francisco area, an area I lived in for 8 years. I might not have even tried to meet him but I could feel his presence around because he made that summer into something extraordinary with his presence. You know when an angel is present somewhere around you, it just feels good and the air is warm. That was how June-July 2009 was for me. During that time, I actually helped other fans who I had just found online on youtube to meet SRK because I would track his whereabouts. But even today, I feel disappointed in myself for not making the effort to meet him. 

I have my own mini SRK center at home which I recently made where I keep all DVDs, magazines, books, CDs and a little more. Besides all that, he’s one of the reasons why I’d like to be alive. From a certain time in life on, I made up my mind that I don’t wish to miss out on him. I do not know of a life without him and the thought itself is nonexistent in my own mind. My family calls me SRK’s mother because I care about him madly. His pain is my pain, his sorrows are my sorrows, and his happiness is my happiness. Most importantly, although we do not know or met each other, I have an unusual trust in him. It’s not the trust of him not kissing on screen or quitting smoking. I find such stuff quite silly, but he and I share a different sort of trust. It’s unexplainable.

I have faced a lot of criticism from people who go by what the media feeds them and cannot make the effort to get to know Shah Rukh like I have done. They think he’s just an actor, not someone worth to spend so much time on. It’s their loss completely. Shah Rukh is the most intellectual man in the entertainment industry. No wait, he’s not only intelligent but handsome, caring, loving, understanding, protecting…basically he has it all that every woman can ever want in a man. But that does not make me envy his wife, Gauri. Instead, I want to be like him. He works hard, so I try to work hard too, no matter what it is. He cares for his family and friends; I also try my best to do the same with my family and friends. He does good deeds silently due to religion…well since we share the same religion, I do so of course. It might sound weird because I am a female after all, but he is my role model more than my dream man. I love him dearly and to death.

A wrap on 2012

It's December now, which means I start looking forward to next year. Let's see how 2012 was.

The year began with a trip to the theater to watch Don 2 for a second and last time. Later award functions, while Shah Rukh hardly won any awards for his previous year's releases; Red Chillies VFX was able to earn their awards for the slick special effects in Ra.One. Even a National Award!! Although I disregard National Awards of India because they are such scumbags but it's alright if they award something related to SRK. In between, Shah Rukh's controversy with Shirish Kunder gained tons of eye balls, mostly being pro-SRK. Then came their patch up which I was thoroughly against of. In between all that, Shah Rukh began shooting with Yash Chopra for Jab Tak Hai Jaan. A few leaked pictures from the sets here and there managed to create a excitement early on. In the first quarter of 2012, things had a bipolar feeling to it, it had happiness, sadness, anger, everything. YRF released a few official stills of Katrina and Shah Rukh which were woooooooooooooooooow!

IPL season came. In midst of that, Shah Rukh got invited to Yale to speak which was a huge deal. I loved hearing him speak there and he sort of gave light to the dark alley I imagined as my future. After a couple of weeks of tension plus a controversy for Shah Rukh where he got into a verbal argument with security guards at a stadium; our team KKR actually won the championship. That was not expected at all. Then rumors came that it was a fixed match and what not. Of course, a team owned by a celebrity can never win without money being involved no? Then in June, Shah Rukh returned back to shooting in London for JTHJ. A few days in, and Shah Rukh turned DJ for BBC Radio. He hosted a few hours long radio show, which I happened to miss. I have an issue, anything I miss; I don't try to catch up on it. Anyway, as we did not know the title of Yash ji's film, many titles such as "London Ishq", "Jai" and some other crappy ones started circulating around the world of internet.YRF also released few official pictures of Anushka and Shah Rukh in this quarter too. Shah Rukh also completed 20 years in the Indian film industry in June!

Oh of course, my trip to Bangladesh also happened. During this trip, I met 3 sweet Shah Rukh Khan Fans, one while I took a break in NYC and two in Bangladesh. Otherwise the amount of hatred I faced for SRK shook my own ground. Yes, at that time, I laid low but did not ever forget Shah Rukh. Whether it's me hunting for SRK magazines and products there or trying to take pictures of SRK billboards and shops signs. Or the maddest according to my family was me picking up a SRK newspaper article from the road because people would step on it and it just didn't go well with my heart. I was very unsuccessful in hoarding SRK stuff for myself. Oh well. But one of the biggest haters among relatives actually gifted me pirated Shah Rukh's movie dvds for my birthday, well that cheered me up! Basically I have a complete movie collection besides a few missing which I did search for but could not find *sob*.

Came August and Shah Rukh left to Kashmir for the last leg of JTHJ shoot. A few stills came out of him in his army avatar with hot stubble which left us girls speechless and craving for more. A teaser was released which I found rather crappy because I just hate teasers. Then started the second rollercoaster ride of 2012. September was when we got to know the title of the film as well as the ever so popular poem AND trailer. The title instantly reminded me of a song from Sholay. Posters came out too and we all started speculating over what the movie is about and how the story might turn out to be. Then songs started coming out, which started the promotional run. The most special event was Yash ji's birthday interview that Shah Rukh did with him which got even more meaningful post an unfortunate incident in October. Yash ji passed away 24 days before the release of JTHJ. Just a few days before that, Shah Rukh had to endure the loss of his makeup man whom he'd view as his father and guidance. A shattered Shah Rukh kept his sadness aside and went on a promotional ride with his two leading ladies from JTHJ. Interviews with nearly all existing news channels in India started coming in and we got to enjoy the sweet chemistry between the three. Each and every interview they did was very memorable. You'd wish you could watch them forever and ever. During all this, a controversy happened which I really didn't bother about but Ajay Devgn managed to wipe all the little respect I had for him instantly.

When JTHJ released, I watched it first day second show with my family and a fellow SRK fan from my area. It really is one of the finest films ever. But what happened was that I was left spellbound. Then I went into a thinking mode. I completely forgot the story of the film but it just lingered inside me. It's difficult to describe how I actually felt. But JTHJ is truly Yash ji's best. He saved the best for the last. JTHJ added weight to the fact that I will never forget him. Then I watched two more times. It is a personal record, because previously, I'd never get to watch a movie more than twice. After watching thrice, I now understood the story, it is actually simple but full of twists. Like I said before, when life itself isn't logical and full of twists, a movie is pretty much a replica of life...besides the music part. But you need music in life too otherwise it's just pitiful.

Anyway, after the movie, Shah Rukh attended the Thinkfest where he spoke at long about his life and shared a few paragraphs from his yet-to-be-released autobiography which is written by himself. It moved me completely. But one thing for sure, I never got the thought that Shah Rukh should move on from the death of his parents. That is kind of rude and shows the loss of compassion one can have. I'd slap the people who actually say that to Shah Rukh. I salute him for becoming the person who he is today. It made my belief stronger that life is indeed a very rocky ride. You need passion to succeed. I am actually very passionate and Shah Rukh made me realize that I’m not a psychopath.

On the communication with Shah Rukh front, he retweeted me once and replied me twice on twitter.
But the biggest shock of 2012 for me was when he actually took my name twice and answered two of my questions at length in November when YRF had held a live chat for Jab Tak Hai Jaan. I said this many times but no one has pronounced my name SO perfectly. I fell in love with my own after that day! 

And now 2012 is done for me. It has been a year of milestones, learning, highs, lows, and so much more. One would not have expected such a commercially cinematic year in spite of just one release from Shah Rukh! Now my eyes look out for 2013, supposedly a really spicy year with Chennai Express marking the return of Deepika and Shah Rukh together once more post Om Shanti Om and Billu. Ciao! And sorry for the lack of blog posts this year.