MNIK World Premiere in Abu Dhabi was an extraordinary extravaganza

By Bollywood Hungama -

February 11, 2010 - 12:00 AM IST

MNIK World Premiere in Abu Dhabi was an extraordinary extravaganza

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"Bade bade shehron mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rahti hain," said Shahrukh on being requested by a journalist to say any of his favourite romantic dialogues. The awestruck girl got lucky and ended up getting to kiss the Badshah of Bollywood on his cheek. And after that the decibel levels of the manic crowd touched an astounding high. An unprecedented welcome was meted out to Shahrukh Khan, Kajol and Karan Johar at the World Premiere of My Name Is Khan at the regal Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi yesterday. The media was scrambling for space as the fans literally caused a stampede to get closer to their favourite stars.

"My Name Is Khan is my most important film of whatever films I've worked up to now," Karan said to Bollywood Hungama. The producer-director looked relaxed and excited in spite of the political mayhem that continues to unfold back home. A Dubai based journalist asked him as to whatever happened to the family drama in a Karan Johar film. "There's a lot of family drama in Khan, have a look and you'll know," said Johar with a smile.

Lyricist and co-dialogue writer of MNIK, Niranjan Iyengar was super excited and said that he had never been to a premiere like this before. How come a South Indian like him has managed to use such typical Urdu words with such felicity in the songs and the dialogues of the film? "That's a very long story. For that I think we'll have to talk some other time," he said laughingly. Dude, we are surely interested in talking about that for having seen the film, the writing of Story-Screenplay writer Shibani Bhatija and Niranjan is the backbone of the film.

Kajol wore a gorgeous Red Saari designed by Manish Malhotra and exuded tonnes of positive energy. "Please jaake picture dekhiye. Watch it with an open mind aur jo bhi aap sochte hain hamko zaroor bataiye," she said. The five minutes of Suraj hua madhdham, according to Karan, is the most timeless Shahrukh-Kajol romantic moment of all times. "Jab teen logon ke beech mein bahut pyaar hota hai, mutual respect hota hai then it shows on the big screen," said Johar about what makes SRK-Kajol and him a memorable combo.

The film was screened in a mammoth auditorium with excited fans turning the darkness around into a shimmering experience of a zillion camera lights. The fans screamed the loudest as the awesome trio of the director and his actors came on stage. They thanked a lot of people and teased each other amidst loud squeals. Shahrukh being the perfect showman that he is, bowed before people, air kissed them, indulged in light banter with the 'I Love You Shahrukh' brigade in the front and also broke into an impromptu Khan dance.

The film ran without a break and there was a pin drop silence during the entire course of the unique journey of Rizvan Khan. There were many poignant dramatic moments that involved the audience as they witnessed a different take on love in times of distrust. At the end there was a loud standing ovation. We spoke to several viewers who belonged to different nationalities like UK, Labanon, UAE, USA and other parts of the Arab world. Their body language and stunned eyes said it all much more than their words. Many said that after Slumdog Millionaire, My Name Is Khan takes the Indian cinema to a truly global audience and is deserving of an Oscar.

Also, it was notable to note that a huge number of people who attended this premiere expressed their massive love and liking for Bollywood Hungama. It was heartening to come across people from another part of the world, who, follow and appreciate our quest to bring movies to the world. Stay tuned as we shall be bringing all the hysteria of this premiere for you guys in a very special video...very soon...only on Bollywood Hungama Broadband.