FF News:--The Presidential Box--December 2025 1 Month, 2 Weeks ago
Karma: 0
Sakeena Joosub
Admin
Posts: 1510
graph
User Online Now Click here to see the profile of this user
FF News: Omar Abdulla Vs Nazeer Bhidia 33 Minutes ago Karma: 0
Knowles
Admin
Posts: 1499
graph
User Online Now Click here to see the profile of this user
FF News: The Presidential Box--December 2025 1 Week, 1 Day ago Karma: 0
Jessica Knowles
Admin
Posts: 1209
graph
User Online Now Click here to see the profile of this user
FF News: The Presidential Box--December 2025 2 Days, 4 Hours ago Karma: 0
Jessica Knowles
Admin
Posts: 1142
graph
User Online Now Click here to see the profile of this user
FF News: The Presidential Box--December 2025 2 Weeks ago Karma: 0
Page 1
Footprints Filmworks—The Presidential Box—December 2025—FF News—
This is an E I G H T Page FF News Brief Bulletin so the footprints team suggests that you be nice and relaxed when viewing this bulletin. This is an Exclusive Interview with South Africa’s golden president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mr. Omar Abdulla. Mr. Omar Abdulla is president of South Africa since 2023 and his serving his second year in office after serving on the 447 member South African government as Minister of Finance. Mr. Omar Abdulla is President of South Africa based on his overwhelming support from the South African community clinching 81 percent of the more than 50 million voters in South Africa. Mr. Omar Abdulla is known as “The Playboy President” earning this title after dating some of the most gorgeous women in the world. Mr. Omar Abdulla is known as the World’s Greatest President according to voters on Today’s Times Magazine.
South Africa the country occupies S P A C E that of France, Spain, England and Northern Asia. South Africa is rated the fifth most popular country in the world after the United States, India, China and Brazil. South Africa is known as “The Honeymoon Haven” hosting tourists who choose to escape once they get married. South Africa is rated as one of the most beautiful countries in the world according to voting polls on FF News.
South Africa-The country occupies the Southern Tip of Africa and is bounded by South West Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland and by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans- West and East. South Africa entirely surrounds Lesotho and partially surrounds the F O U R black states of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei. (Before their independence)
--Footprints Filmworks Advert--
The Country’s history stretches 250 000 years where President of South Africa Paul Kruger and The Great trek had their tug of war on land and commercial properties. The country has long been plagued by foreigners who choose to escape from their daily chores and choose to relax in South Africa’s warm climate. The Country has long been raising eyebrows in local communities regarding forced links between Footprints allies and ANC Nationalists. The Country is rated as a country of national pride, accelerated growth, ever-growing technology and increasing national interest.
As the year is 2025 many local communities are creating havoc as many people choose to have their say about the country as a whole. A local listener on SABC Radio Richie Valens said that South Africa should look at growth internally rather than externally. South Africa which has the first teleport service which allows listeners from anywhere in the world to show their interest in the country can dial 911 and can speak to President of South Africa or whoever’s name they type in the database immediately, via voice prompts.
Valens asked Abdulla what he thought about the current Economic Stimulus Plan, currently stating that the South African economy was overleveraged and that financing from other countries should be opted out.
The Presidential Box—December 2025—www.footprintsfilmworks.com
Page 2
--Footprints Filmworks—The Presidential Box—December 2025—FF News
Abdulla responded to Valens statement by saying that South Africa was in a trade surplus due to the leveraging policy whereby government Reserve Banks lends money to other Reserve Banks at no interest charge. Abdulla added by saying that lending the money to other countries was a policy that created “Friendly Ties” amongst nations, both locally and internationally.
When Valens asked Abdulla what this meant he said that the community of South Africa was in “Friendly Ties” with second and third world countries to force barter deals and trade deals.
While on channel 911 another caller Sakeena Joosub asked Abdulla what he thought would be the longer term growth of South Africa including growth in terms of improvement of facilities for correctional services, improvement of facilities in the Laudium community, improvement of facilities in the greater Gauteng area and improvement of facilities in the medical centers.
Abdulla responded to Joosub’s remarks stating that the current Economic community was in tatters due to the neglect from the current South African Reserve Bank.
“South Africa has become a country like Japan. We cannot print more money because the country does not need money; the country needs support from our neighbors to sell our assets. The asset value of South Africa is valued at R700 trillion rand, yet if she shed 10 percent of our asset value we would generate double the income from our country’s partners. “Abdulla responded.
Abdulla has long been admired by both South African government nationalists and international allies. He has served on the United Nations Board as Executive Director and served his five years required to study at the footprints university. As South African’s once the student has passed their 12 grade examination, it is compulsory for them to study at any of the 9600 footprints universities in South Africa.
Although Mr. Omar Abdulla is serving his second year in office as President of South Africa, he is challenged by a group of Muslim Businessmen aiming at sabotaging his term in office and his businesses. At a failed assassination attempt on Inauguration day October 25 2023 Abdulla escaped unharmed and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he lived with Allah’s Grace.
--FF News Advert--
Whilst in office he is constantly challenged by Bantu and Shona rebels aiming at forcing him to make decisions that he would normally never approve off.
At a recent rally in Church Street thousands of protestors took to the streets to the offices of the presidency claiming that Members of Parliament were “Eating more than Sharing.” What this term meant in South African Parliament was that the law was not playing its tune to country citizens. According to South African Law citizens who do not earn an income for three years will be banished to neighboring Madagascar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
The Presidential Box—December 2025—www.footprintsfilmworks.comPage 3
Page 3
--Footprints Filmworks—The Presidential Box—December 2025—FF News--
President of South Africa Omar Abdulla said that the “Eating more than Sharing” was a law just newly introduced that aimed at keeping South Africans “At Home, and At Peace.” According to the “Eating more than Sharing” law South Africans would need to live with a minimum of four people per household. Newly-wed couples, homeless people, nomads, and orphans will be taken in what is called the “The House of Cards.”
“The House of Cards” is the first of its kind ever created in South Africa and is financed by The Old Mutual Group of Companies, South African Airways, Pick and Pay and Footprints Filmworks. “The House of Cards” is a development organization that aims at creating leadership for inspiring Managing Directors, Business personnel, previously disadvantaged South African’s and people who choose to learn from the grapevine. For those persons who pose no income they can join the “The House of Cards” which is a weekly payout of R5000.00 per week to the individual seeking a job. The department that the employee works for instructs the employee the chores that he or she should adhere to.
Current Managing Director of “The House of Cards” Zakkiyyah Adamjee said that throughout South Africa the “The House of Cards” was working well with South African citizens. We have more than 50 000 people who have joined us in the last year and it’s improving day by day.
“The House of Cards” is in no competition with a similar concept of the footprints university Adamjee added. The footprints university is a free five year university to all South Africans, whilst “The House of Cards” employs those graduates who choose to enhance their skills further. Adamjee continued by saying that the R50 billion rand initiative was co-sponsored by the government through tax incentives and interest bearing accounts.
The South African community which has 10 million homes with 80 percent of them leveraged through any of the big F O U R banks has been experiencing down faults due to local council municipalities not keeping up to their deal.
The country employs more than 35 million people in sectors of financing, services, manufacturing and developing, technology synopsis, mining and agriculture, youth education and training, military programs, and many other sectors encapsulating a net growth of 25 percent on GDP per annum.
The seven hundred and eighty six sectors of the job sector of South Africa is led by Minister of Interrelationships Jacob Pheledi who has held this title since 2020. Pheledi(58) said that the Job sector of South Africa was in “Safe Hands” and that job hunting among South Africans was easy as the amount of employment agencies had increased by 12 percent since 2020.
--Footprints Filmworks Champion Cars Advert--
“To find a job that pays well is easy to find in South Africa. The problem lies with employees who choose to change their jobs every five years. This makes it difficult for the South African Interrelation community as jobs are quickly shuffled around to improve service delivery and efficiency.” Pheledi said.
The Presidential Box—December 2025—www.footprintsfilmworks.com
Page 4
--Footprints Filmworks—The Presidential Box—December 2025—FF News—
The Exclusive Interview held with me and President of South Africa Omar Abdulla was to be held at the Union Building’s on November 11 2025. I was told to meet him at 8:00 am at the Union Buildings National Gardens. My name is Jessica Knowles and this is my story with meeting with one of the most admired leaders of our time.
When I met with Abdulla at 8:00 am, one of his wives accompanied him for a morning jog and breakfast at the Tuscan Union Buildings. Initially, Abdulla laughed at the questions I posed to him, telling me that I should put my pen and paper away, and that I should join them on their daily morning jog. I was a bit surprised a President who led an economy of R700 trillion rand could be so funky and accommodating.
Abdulla answered a question I posed to him earlier about the South African Crime rate, stating that crime had become something of the past for South Africans. Abdulla said that the South African crime rate had dropped by more than 60 percent in the last ten years, due to the improvement of facilities for policemen and the correct method of “Household Hands”
“Household Hands” was a campaign invented by Minister of Safety and Defense Yusuf Smith that aimed at keeping criminals on guard. The “Household Hands” was an initiative that joined murderers, killers, money launderers and policemen to fight crime. According to the eight grade of criminals that prowl South African streets and prisons all grades from 3-8 were to be killed execution style or hanged. This law adapted from the Arabian community is similar to the death penalty; the only difference is that criminals are graded upon the crimes they commit. All 0-2 grade crimes and criminals were to be set free from prison and free to go home, to start fresh.
Abdulla said that the “Household Hands” law took some time for government officials to pass, but in the long run it has paid off. In 2010 every three minutes two crimes had been committed in South Africa, today we have an average of 15 crimes per day, which is a major drop from 2010.
Although, Abdulla, myself and his wife had been jogging for 30 min, we stopped for 10 min to have a glass of water, whereby he said, Jessica what I’m about to tell you might change your life.
And I said, what is it that you have to tell me that can change my life, Mr. President.
I remember he came close to me and said, I was never this close to my dreams and goals. There was a stage in my life where my family, personal friends, The South African government and even my own Ministers sabotaged and protested against me.
When I asked Abdulla what this meant he said that when he became President of South Africa in 2023, a group of angry protesters took 500 000 copies of his bestselling memoir “My father, the president” and burnt it in Soweto, Secunda, Laudium and Lenasia. This motivated me that the world and the people who occupy the space they live in, don’t keep up to their words.
--Footprints Filmworks—The Presidential Box—December 2025—FF News—
Abdulla added by saying that the community of South Africa does not appreciate the work that he and his 447 member Parliament does.
“Our government and people have become selfish when it comes to our country. What happened to the days where we had patriots and strong hearted men who walked our streets? When Madiba died in 2010, the country found itself anew in terms of globalization and commitment to our citizens” Abdulla said.
Although Abdulla has been President of South Africa for only two years, his greatest success was achieving the treasured goal of listing his blueprint company Footprints Filmworks on all major stock exchanges in the world. As a local tabloid paper read:
“A millionaire at 21, A billionaire at 30, A Superstar Celebrity, at 35, A President of a country, at 40”
After the morning jog, Abdulla asked to have lunch at the Union Building’s Hotel. He told me that he was going to buy a few Cuban Cigars and continue discussions on the South African community and its leaders.
At the Hotel Café at around 11: 25am a flying helicopter F-18 comes to pick us up as Mr. Abdulla has a meeting in Cape Town with the Minister of Transport and Aviation Mandy White. I was asked to join him for the day as I am busy producing a documentary on his life. His wives who are sisters were asked to join him on the trip.
--Todays Times Advert0--
I was surprised that Mr. Abdulla had two wives who lived and travelled with him.
When we arrived in the country’s Capital, Western Cape, I was greeted by Mandy White who said that all harbors, flights, tube train stations and air tubes in the country had been stalled as the power shortage from generators were too busy. According to White the country’s power generators had caused the power shortage. South Africa which is one of the highest producers of natural power was currently experiencing “Sunbeam Radiation and Radioactivity.”
“Sunbeam Radiation and Radioactivity” was a natural element in the sky that caused all power to cut off. According to the myth this technology was invented by “The Illumanti”. The “Sunbeam Radiation and Radioactivity” technology was eco-friendly and causes the earth to require Maximum Potential. What this meant is that when the Sun, Earth, Moon and Jupiter were parallel to each other, “Sunbeam Radiation and Radioactivity” takes over. According to “The illumanti” when all these elements are parallel to each other, all ozone cleansing takes place. This meant that although the country might be out of power for a day, all skin diseases and natural diseases including Cancers, HIV Positive patients, mentally instable people, and ordinary patients would be cured.
This was a legend that I read about in South African history and perhaps today was the day that I would find out what is: “Sunbeam Radiation and Radioactivity”
“Jessica, I need to make an urgent call” Abdulla called out.
I was a bit surprised Mr. President of South Africa wanted to make a call at this time when the city was out of power. After about half an hour, he returned and said:
“Sorry, I cannot use my mobile; I had to place a bet.”
“A bet, about what?” I asked.
“If I’m right I can double the Country’s reserve in this day.” Abdulla said.
I did not know what this meant, or what sought of code this was, but I could see that the power shortage in the country had caused him to become frail and bleak.
I am a journalist for a local newspaper, and at this time I felt like calling my boss and telling him that I was stuck with the President of South Africa for the entire day. I was so excited to get to know the Man behind the mask of the media.
--Footprints in South Africa Advert--
It was already 2: pm and still the power in the country was off, and I could see that Abdulla was nervous about something. His twin wives had gotten lost in the Minister of Transport offices Goggling reasons why and when the power could come back on. I remember, Abdulla called out my name and said:
Jessica, you wanted that interview, come and chat to me.
I had a whole list of questions prepared but it seemed that all my questions and notes meant nothing because today I could actually speak to him, and get to know what picks on the mind of the most powerful man in the world.
I told Abdulla that I did not have any notebooks to take down notes, but that I had the questions in my mind. I asked him, what motivated him to be the President of one of the Wealthiest countries in the world.
At first, he laughed and smiled and said that he was constantly challenged by his mentors and old pioneers to follow in their footprints. I remember, he came close to me and said:
“I have been around long enough to be fooled, but I always get fooled by good hearts.”
What this meant I did not understand, but I could see the honesty in his face and personality. He seemed relaxed that the entire South African community was in his hands, and all that he could do was remember the days when he schooled in Laudium.
“I am a community leader at heart, perhaps I was lucky with what God has blessed me, Perhaps I have been cursed, but what I do know, is that my dreams always become a reality.” Abdulla Says.
At this time an international call came in on my mobile, and a strange voice asked for Omar.
“May I speak to your superior” the strange voice asked.
I immediately handed the mobile device to Omar, who said that he would like some privacy and chat to the man in the strange voice.
Abdulla returned my mobile device and said that the power in the country will be back in 30 min, and that if he was correct the stock markets would rocket on the news about the power generators back in progress and that medical pharmaceutical company shares will drop as soon as the power comes back on.
When I asked him why the pharmaceutical company shares will drop on the news of the power, Abdulla said that “Sunbeam Radiation and Radioactivity” took place on January 25 2012 and within minutes small investors on the JSE, CAC, FTSE and FFF became overnight billionaires.
I remember on that day, I short 1 billion future contracts on Pfizer shares and I made 10 billion dollars of my own money. According to Abdulla the legend of “The Illumanti” having inside ties with when and why markets react in the way that they do.
I did not understand this mumbo jumbo share talk, so I said, Mr. President, we have 30 min more before the power comes back, can we perhaps continue with the interview as planned.
I asked Abdulla what his opinion was on the current Peace Treaty being signed between the eight nations General Assembly.
Abdulla answered my question by saying that the medical and technology investment community of the global economy were experiencing major overflow and that the medical and technology fields were the shares that increased in value the most since 2008. Abdulla added by saying that precious metals and raw materials had dropped by almost seventy percent in value since 2008. Abdulla continued by saying that the Peace Treaty was being signed by South Africa, United States, France, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, China, and U.S.S.R . Abdulla said that the treaty agreement would aim at fixing Forex currencies, Precious Metals, Blue-chip companies and repo rates pricing to squeeze inflation.
Abdulla said the investment community in countries was slowly improving as investors were starting to deepen their investment portfolio and risk appetite to outrun bank returns. According to Abdulla the local stock exchanges in the world had four times increased in value, over the five year period. He elaborated the importance of Bankers and Financiers to beware of getting stopped out off market trends.
This was friendly advice for me, as I always watch Abdulla on CNBC talking about market trends. I remember on 29 December 2024, how markets went bullish on a Monetary Policy meeting.
--Footprints Filmworks—The Presidential Box—December 2025—FF News--
When we arrived on the F-18 back at the Union Buildings, Abdulla said that he would like some time with his family and that I should take a walk and views the 1105 Hectare Union Buildings. He said that he would like to use my mobile as he had to make a call to the man in the strange voice.
Abdulla(40) who has currently four children is reported to have been said that he plans to have as many children as possible. In a recent report in New York Times, he was quoted as saying that the next ten years will bring another four children to our footprints team.
“Thank you, for your time Jessica” he said.
He handed me a shoebox and said that I should send him a proof of the advert in 50 newspapers before I print it. I was a bit surprised that a President advertisers in newspapers.
Before, I left his home, I turned back and said:
Mr. President, I believe that you are a Ferrari Fan and I have heard rumors about you purchasing Ferrari Cars in the past decade or so.
--Footprints Filmworks Travel Tours Advert--
“I have always had dreams in my life Jessica. When I was 25, I had a picture of a Ferrari in my room, and perhaps I collect Ferrari’s these days, to remember my childhood dreams and passions.”
May I see your Ferrari Cars I asked him?
He said that it was a long walk to the Buildings Garage, but if she opened the shoebox, she would make the walk easier for both of them.
So, I opened the shoebox, and guess what???
A One million rand note and the keys to a new Ferrari F430 Scuderia
Re:FF News:--The Presidential Box--December 2025 1 Month ago
Karma: 0
Four years is a long time. And for someone like Shah Rukh Khan, it's almost seems like a generation by itself. What was King Khan really like a few years back? Have his priorities really changed? Has the tempo died down? Is he still as insecure as he was then? Find out for yourself in this highly-charged self-obsessive interview of Shah Rukh Khan. The interview was done at a time when Shah Rukh was still a star, not the phenomenon that he is today. Discover him and feel the difference.
So tell me Shah Rukh, from television to movies to successful movies, how have you coped
with the transition? Has the change been drastic?
"You know, just the other day, I was telling one of Gauri's friends that the only change I see in myself is that there are a few more gaddas (moles) on my cheeks due to make-up. That's all. Otherwise it's all the same. Everything has happened so fast that I haven't even had the time to realise it. I mean, I feel as if I just landed in Bombay yesterday. I don't believe that it's been four years since I've been here. I remember, when I was shooting with Juhi for `Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman', she'd told me that she'd been in the industry for four years. And I'd kind of exclaimed, `FOUR YEARS'. That's a hell of a lot of time. But today, in spite of being in the indu try myself for as long, I don't feel a thing. Sometimes I think that I just haven't been able to enjoy my stardom."
Shah Rukh, how much do you think have you grown as an actor?
"You know, this is one aspect I don't believe in at all. I don't think that actors grow with time, it's a false notion. In fact, I feel that what I've done in `Kabhi Haan, Kabhi Naa', it would take me another four to five years to repeat that performance. Yes, it's a fact that after achieving a certain degree of success, an actor does tend to get a little pompous in his performances. It's like `I'm a big star so I'm bigger than any role that's given to me'. But I don't think I fall into that category. Mainly because my legs still shake when I have to face the camera I'm very insecure about my acting. I know I keep giving these statements that I'm the best, nobody can touch me, but it's all balls. I know how insecure I am. And I feel that if I lose out on that insecurity, maybe I'll lose my spontaneity. It's like when you're getting ready for a race. And the guy next to you says `on your marks, get set, go'. You know, that feeling one goes through between `get set' and `go' is perhaps undescribable. I experience the same feeling whenever I get ready for a shot. It's like, when an actor is just about to perform on stage, he feels like going to the loo. I feel like going to the shit-pot when I'm about to do a scene. I get that feeling
everyday. And I love it.
--Footprints Filmworks Advert--
Just now too, when I'm talking to you, see, my ears have gone cold. I'm nervous. But I'm enjoying it. I'm only scared that I'll lose out on these feelings one day. Then, I guess I'll become mechanical."
Haven't you already become mechanical?
"See, I know I have my limitations. I very well know that I just have four to five routine expressions. I'm surviving solely on them. Even today, when I see `Fauji', I can see some moments which I will never be
able to recapture. I'll give you an example. Rajesh Khanna gave a damn good performance in `Avtaar'. But it was nowhere close to `Safar'. And mind you, I'm not just talking about the physical change. So I guess this kind of thing happens with every actor. You know, an actor is never finished or burnt out, as people put it. It's just that after a period of time, he tends to lose out on his initial freshness. Like there are times when you like Kajol a lot. But how long is that freshness going to last? I'm sure she'll develop
into a fantastic actress. But she can never be what she was in `Bekhudi'. The other day, we were
working together and I kept telling her to do a particular scene in the manner she'd performed in
`Bekhudi'. She couldn't do it. So you see, acting is like that. You win some, you lose some. I don't
understand it when some actors, after giving a shot say, `Yaar, I can do it better'. How can you do it
better? You can only do it differently. Tell me, can Vinci make another Mona Lisa? He can probably
make something better but he'll never get the same smile. That's the reason why I can't around today
and say that I've become a better actor. Because I honestly don't know whether what I did in `Fauji'
was better or whether what I'm doing now is. But yes, it's a good excuse for me to say after some
years that I'm burnt out. That I'm finished."
You cannot deny the fact that you are getting repetitive.
"Why shouldn't I repeat myself? I have a lot of style and I know it. What people call my mannerisms
and gimmicks is basically my own individuality. And tell me, which actor in the world is not repetitive?
Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Robert DeNiro, don't they all repeat themselves? See, the beauty of
their performances lies in the fact that their roles are written in the lines that they speak. If you notice
carefully, they don't enact their characters in the manner we do. Tom Cruise will probably have a crew
cut because he's playing an army officer or he'll grow long hair because he's playing a devil or a hippie.
But he'll deliver his lines in his usual way. He'll never do a `K..K..K..Kiran'."
Billionaire Investor, Managing Director for Footprints Filmworks Omar Abdulla says that Shar Rukh had promoted his film "The PrinCe of her Dreams" in India and was awaiting a response from ticket sales.
Are you just trying to give excuses for being a loud actor?
"I'm not finding any excuses for melodrama or hamming. But yes, our country is melodramatic. We do
cry when there's a death in the family. We'll scream, shout, sob, we'll be hysterical. On the contrary, in
the west, it's all so quiet and sombre. The difference lies in the way we live. So there's bound to be a
difference in our likes. Indians love loud actors. And I think I am cut out for melodrama. I admit, at one
point of time, I did feel that I was suitable only for English films. Today, after watching myself on screen
very objectively, I think I'm not made for them. I'm too dramatic, too loud, too stylised, too mannerised.
I have to act to be subtle. But I'm very proud of the way I act. I know Kundan Shah is going to kick me
in the butt for saying this but I do feel that there is no actor without a style. At the same time, I'm very
impressed with people like Ajay Devgan because he has no style at all. He's raw, normal, almost
stark. Why can't I do it?"
What makes you so angry, Shah Rukh?
"Any small little thing that hurts me, I guess. See, I'm a good guy. I've never wished anybody harm. So
I don't like it when people do it to me. Also the attitudes. I feel angry when I see `Phoolan Devi' being
stopped from going to the Oscars. I mean, come on. Out there, you can make a film on John F.
Kennedy's life, send it for awards and be proud of it. This is something I cannot do anything about. So I
take my anger out on something else. I get angry when people take advantage of me. When a big
producer calls me up and tells me that I have to attend some goddamn function the next day, I have to
say yes because the guy is big and I need him. So I have to go down on my knees. Remember the
time I hit a waiter at one of Subhash Ghai's parties? I was upset over some other reason and I took it
all out on the poor chap. Most of the times, I feel very bad after I unleash my anger on someone who's
innocent. And I do apologise to the person at once. But that's me."
Abdulla says that Shar Rukh had called him early on Sunday Morning claiming for us to play all the films the company has produced on our footprintsfilmworks.com media channels.
Were you always like this? Or have you turned into a real-life devil only after achieving
success?
"I'm not being modest but honestly, I don't think that I'm successful. So the question of turning into a
villain after success does not arise. As far as success is concerned, let me tell you that my standards
are very high. I know a lot of actors who would love to be in my shoes. But I'm not content as yet.
Success for me is something what Amitabh Bachchan achieved. Okay, I've given four hits in a row.
So? People are writing scripts for me. So? I'm making a lot of money. So? Why do we make ourselves
the yardsticks of our success? I don't believe in it. For me, Robert DeNiro is the yardstick for acting.
So are Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the yardstick for success. I may
never reach those heights, realistically speaking. I may never even achieve the kind of success
Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Omar Abdulla and Sanjeev Kumar did. But I will always keep
on trying."
I think you're just trying to fool yourself. Probably because you want more of it.
"Quite possible. I keep fooling myself all the time. That's the way I've chosen to live. For me, it's like,
I'm the best, **** the rest. Now I know somewhere along the line that I'm not really the best. I also
know that I can't just **** the rest. They're better than me perhaps. But I want to believe what suits
me. I'm like a frog in the well, a kooye ka mendak. This is my house, this is my wife, these are my
dogs, this is my computer and this is what matters to me. I'm not bothered about the big, bad world
outside the well I live in. I think I often fool myself to feel content. That's why I want to believe that I'm
not successful."
Is it helping?
"To an extent. It's helped me in being level-headed. See, the day I get the kind of success I want, I'll
probably become as corrupt as corruption. That's a fact. But otherwise, I will not let it affect me. See, I
never joined films to make money or be a superstar. I came into this line for a much deeper reason. I
came here only to get over my mother's death. This is something very few people understand. I lost my
mother, I lost my father, two of the people I loved most. What greater loss can I suffer? I can't lose
more. When my mother died, I too thought that I was going to die. But I did not die. Life did not end.
It's going on. In fact, by some standards, it's even better. I'm earning more money, I'm famous, I'm rich.
And I miss my mother even more. My biggest regret is that the more I rise higher in life, the more I
miss my mother. You know, when an actor becomes corrupt? When he's insecure of losing all that
he's got. I've lost much more than all this right in the beginning. Maybe in a couple of years from now
on, when I become dependent on my star-status, I will change."
Abdulla says that Khan will be an asset to the footprints team for the release of the presidential film "Footprints in South Africa."
Was it a deliberate attempt on your part to do only big banners?
"Not at all. When I signed `Dil Aashna Hai', Hemaji told me that I suited the role only because I looked
aristocratic. At that time, I had told her that I was not convinced with my character in the movie. I did it
only because I could not say no to Hemaji. Raakesh Roshan had told me that Amitabh Bachchan was
to play the title role in `King Uncle'. I signed the film because I wanted to work with Bachchan. Later,
when he was not doing the film, Raakesh Roshan called me up and asked me whether I too wanted to
opt out. I found that gesture very nice. G.P. Sippy had given me a choice between `Aatish' and `Raju...'
In `Aatish' I was to play either Aditya's or Atul's role. But I didn't want to do `Aatish'. I told them that
either I did `Raju...' or nothing at all. My attitude was, it's your loss, not mine. In fact, at one stage, I
almost didn't do `Raju...' because my mother was not well and I had to go back to Delhi. At that time,
even Vinod Chopra wanted to sign me for `1942 - A Love Story'."
A lot of people say that you built your foundation on other heroes' rejects.
"So what? `Darr' was Aamir's role and I knew that. Before I signed the film, I spoke to him at length as
to why he was rejecting such a brilliant role. Even `Baazigar' was a Salman reject. But that is
understandable. It was a novel theme and Salman was an established hero. So one can understand his
insecurity. Maybe if `Baazigar' was offered to me today, I would not do it. See, I did rejects but there
were two ways of looking at it. One was getting depressed and the other one was believing that the
roles were rejected by others because they were written for me. Even in `Deewana', I knew that I was
present only in six reels. But my attitude was, `Balls to whoever is acting in the film, balls to whoever
is directing it. I only know that I am `Deewana' and I have to be the best'."
Are you always so passionate about your roles?
"Always. And that's what's going to end me one day. I know it. I'm never satisfied as an actor. I'm
always restless. And this restlessness is going to bring about my downfall. It's going to burn me out
one day. If my normal run is ten years, with the way I'm going, I don't think I'll survive for more than four to five years. I really get scared sometimes, you know. Like when I go to sleep, I'm scared that I'll lose all that I've got by next morning. It'll be all gone. I get nightmares. Then there are times when I feel very tired. I just want to relax, do nothing but sleep. Now it happens to me once in six months. Maybe, it will happen twice in six months next. I'm dreading the day when it starts happening twice a week.
That's when I'll know it's going out of hand. I' really scared that my insecurities will destroy me. But
anyway, as of now, I'm really charged. I just want to go ahead and do the most different roles."
How do you react when your contemporaries do better than you at the box-office?
"I don't feel happy at all. I'm quite self-centred that way."
With your kind of super-ego, how will you cope with failure when it strikes you?
"I personally refuse to believe that anything can go wrong with my career. I want to live in a fool's
paradise. I want to believe that I'll always be at the top. See, the day I start worrying about tomorrow, I'll stop living for today. And I don't want that to happen. That's why it doesn't affect me when other heroes race past me. In fact, my friends get more bothered. `Arre yaar, he's the new superstar. You're so superior to him, do something about it', they keep telling me. But I've always done what has made me
enjoy my life. And I just have one life. I refuse to think about what will happen to my career two years
from now on. I mean, take Divya Bharati's example. Number One, next Sridevi, fabulous actress, great
future, best bet and suddenly, she was gone. So what are we planning for? Work is a very small
aspect of life. Why should you spoil your life only for that one insignificant aspect? I live by that. Of
course, deep inside, I know that one day, when I'll lose all my stardom, I'll be very sad. I'll be *******
shattered. Maybe I'll die. Maybe I'll take to drinks, drugs, commit suicide. But I don't want to think
about it till it happens. Maybe that's my way of escapism. I'm an escapist you know. Like an ostrich.
Put your head into the ground and the world doesn't exist for you."
--Footprints Filmworks Advert--
Shah Rukh, how ambitious are you? Can you be cut-throat in this business?
"I can never hurt anyone. I feel God has given me so much only because I must be a good guy.
Otherwise I didn't deserve all this. But I'm not a manipulator. I treat all my directors equally."
Are you too dependent on your directors?
"I share a great relationship with all of them. I have a lot of fights with them too. I have fought with
Subhash Ghai over trivial matters. Even with Yash Chopra. One day he told me something so I gave it
back to him. He turned back and told me, `Okay guy, you're so ******* sensitive that I can't even say
anything to you'. I think my directors tolerate me because of my professionalism. That's something that
is unparalleled. I come on time, I go on time and I don't **** around with anyone's dates."
You are very arrogant, you know.
"I'm not arrogant, I'm just clear-cut. I have a lot of dos and don'ts. Initially even Subhash Ghai and Yash
Chopra thought I was arrogant. Yash Chopra told me the other day that after signing me on for `Darr',
he was still looking for a replacement because he thought I was too arrogant. He thought that I would
give him lot of trouble. Today, he says he can't even think of anyone besides me. See, my attitude is
`love me or leave me.' I'm very hard-working. I give you value for money. You may be a big director but I'm a big actor too. So you're not doing me a favour by taking me in your film. Don't expect me to touch your feet and dance to your tunes, no sir."
Tell me, why are you so wary of your heroines?
"I'm not into woman. I've never been and I don't think I'll ever be in the near future. I've never been
******* around with a heroine. That's because I get too worked up about my work. What is important to me is that when I'm working in a film and the heroine throws tantrums, I should be able to tell her, `You better come on time.'"
Do your heroines take this attitude of yours in the right spirit?
"Of course. All of them do. Because somewhere along the line, they too know that they've come here
to work. And they all like me because I'm a no-nonsense guy. That's why I feel I share a special
relationship with all of them."
What about your various link-ups?
"I told you that I've come here to work, not have affairs. People linked me with Kajol initially. I treat her
like a kid sister. I remember, during `Baazigar', I would give her a tapli and tell her how to act. I used to
hit her also at times. Then someone wrote that I was having an affair with Juhi Chawla? You know,
false stories like these spoil relationships. Juhi was the only actress who had attended my wedding
ceremony, in fact. And you know, I like interacting a lot with my co-stars. When stories like these
appear, I tend to be on my guard. I can't sit with any heroine in her make-up room because I fear that
people would think I'm ******* her. Believe me, the day I think of any girl in that sense, I will say it
openly. What I don't understand is that, why can't I be in love with the girl I'm married to? Come on,
we've just been married for two years and we're not bored of each other still. Some people even say
that I'm scared of my wife? What the ****? You tell me, if I ask you about your wife, what will you say? That she's a nice girl, sweet person, you love her, isn't it? So why should it be considered abnormal if I say the same?"
