Sundar Pichai (Google CEO) – Shah Rukh Khan with Sundar Pichai | Happy New Year Film | Talks at Google (Oct 2014)

Chapters

Abstract

Shah Rukh Khan: A Diverse Journey from Acting to Entrepreneurship and Beyond

Abstract: This comprehensive article delves into the multifaceted life of Shah Rukh Khan, a Indian actor whose journey extends beyond the silver screen into entrepreneurship, technology, and education. It captures his unconventional path to stardom, unique approach to acting, challenging roles, and foray into entrepreneurship and education, culminating in his involvement with the film “Happy New Year.”

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Shah Rukh Khan’s exceptional journey, from an aspiring engineer to a Bollywood icon and successful entrepreneur, encapsulates a saga of passion, perseverance, and adaptability. This article explores Khan’s unplanned entry into acting, his philosophy that connects deeply with audiences, and his entrepreneurial ventures in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and technology. Khan’s perspective on education in India, his role in promoting “Happy New Year,” and his appreciation for technology like YouTube and Google products provide insights into the diverse aspects of his illustrious career.

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1. Unconventional Path to Stardom:

Shah Rukh Khan’s entry into acting was unplanned; he originally aspired to be a software engineer or sportsperson. His humble beginnings included studying electronics in college, where he achieved a high score of 98. However, an injury led him to theater, where he got a role as a principal dancer in a play. Later, as television gained popularity in India, he landed a role in the series “Fauji,” which brought him fame.

2. Khan’s Acting Philosophy and Audience Connection:

Khan views acting as an act of giving and sharing. His ability to draw inspiration from life and share it through acting performances has helped him connect with a diverse audience across India. He emphasizes the role of advanced technology in enhancing Indian cinema’s global appeal, striving to create visually stunning and internationally competitive films.

3. Challenges and Memorable Roles:

Khan finds roles in films he produces particularly challenging due to skepticism and lack of support. He mentions “Asoka,” “Pirbi,” “Ravan,” and “Don” as challenging, while his favorite roles include “Chak De! India,” “Swades,” and “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.” The character of Don stands out for its sexiness and complexity.

4. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

Driven by a passion for entertainment, children, and sports, Khan expanded his horizons into entrepreneurship. His humble beginnings included expressing his passion for entertainment, children, and sports. He saw the IPL as an opportunity to invest in his love for sports, especially wanting to be a football or hockey player himself. Despite his initial doubts about the financial viability of buying a team, he decided to purchase a team for his children’s enjoyment. The bidding process for the IPL team was highly competitive, with large corporates involved. Khan hoped his bid would not be accepted due to his financial constraints. Despite initial struggles and losses, Khan persevered and saw a turnaround in the team’s performance after several years. He invested in the VFX studio Red Chillies and entered the IPL, initially motivated by a personal desire to own a team for his children. Despite early financial and performance challenges, his dedication led to the team’s success. Khan’s journey in entrepreneurship underscores the importance of passion and persistence.

5. Emphasis on Education in India:

Khan stresses the significance of education in India, highlighting the role of technology in making education accessible and engaging. He suggests that initiatives like Google should focus on enhancing education, particularly in rural areas. For Khan, educating the youth is vital for India’s progress.

6. Promotion of ‘Happy New Year’ and Inspirations:

Khan and his co-stars actively promoted their film “Happy New Year.” He cites inspirations like Muhammad Ali and Mother Teresa, alongside ordinary people overcoming daily challenges. Khan’s appreciation for YouTube is evident in how he used it as a resource for the film’s dance sequences.

“Happy New Year” Movie:

“Happy New Year” is a heist film directed by Farah Khan, premiering during Diwali. It combines elements of a heist film with a dance competition, inspired by movies like “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Full Monty.”

Inspiration:

– Shah Rukh Khan’s inspiration comes from Muhammad Ali, Mother Teresa, and ordinary people he meets who lead extraordinary lives.

YouTube:

– Shah Rukh Khan praises YouTube as an entertainment platform, particularly enjoying funny videos and dancing fails.

– YouTube serves as an inspiration for the dance sequences in “Happy New Year,” celebrating the joy of dancing regardless of skill level.

7. Bollywood’s Affinity for Google Products:

The cast of “Happy New Year,” including Khan, expressed their appreciation for Google products like Maps and YouTube, showcasing the intersection of technology and entertainment in Bollywood.

Google Products in Daily Life:

– The actors from the upcoming movie, Happy New Year, revealed that they frequently use Google Maps and YouTube. They shared how these products have made their lives easier, especially for tasks like reviewing their work and finding entertainment.

Happy New Year and Its Impact:

– Farah Khan, the director of Happy New Year, expressed her excitement for the film’s release and described it as a thrilling story about a heist involving diamonds.

– Abhishek Bachchan, one of the lead actors, shared his experience working on the film and mentioned that it was one of the best times of his life as an actor.

8.

The article concludes with Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, thanking the cast of “Happy New Year” for their visit. This anecdote highlights the blend of entertainment and technology in modern India, embodied by the versatile journey of Shah Rukh Khan.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Eight-Pack and Fan Interaction:

– Despite his initial shyness, Shah Rukh Khan agreed to show off his abs to the audience, promising to do so before leaving the event.

– He invited the audience to touch and feel his abs and allowed them to name each individual ab.

Abhishek Bachchan’s Rap Performance:

– The audience requested Abhishek Bachchan to perform a rap song, and he obliged with a lively rendition of “B-L-U to the Double F Master.”

– The song included a rap verse by Deepika Padukone, another lead actor from the film.

Conclusion:

– The event concluded with a brief rap song by Abhishek Bachchan before Sundar Pichai reminded the audience that they were holding up about 2,000 people from lunch.

– The actors thanked the audience for their support, and the event ended with everyone heading to lunch.

Notes by: MythicNeutron