'SRK-Still Reading Khan' to be released on Oct 11

Mumbai, Oct 7: 'SRK-Still Reading Khan', a book chronicling Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's personal and professional achievements will be released on October 11.

The book is written by Khan's close friend and television script writer Mushtaq Sheikh.

Mushtaq has over the years built close friendships with the film community and says that he has come to regard several colleagues as an extended family. ''One such valued member is Shah Rukh. The close proximity with Shah Rukh's world and the firm ties of friendship and as a fellow traveller for a good part of our lives, led to destiny chosing me to be one who would chronicle the story of his journey,'' the writer said.

''There's always been a patriarch for every field. He leads, people follow. He takes new paths - praised if he's successful, derided if he fails. But then somebody has to do the job. Somebody has to invent for the others to reinvent. Somebody has to stand up for our fifty six year old philosophy - for the people, by the people, to the people. Shah Rukh Khan did just that. He invades areas where no actor has ever been,''he added.

Shah Rukh Khan had stepped into the film world as an outsider, a young man bereaved from the loss of his parents, seeking solace, work and passion in an alien world. Today, this outsider is the most familiar member in every fan's household. This book is therefore also the tale of a journey that led from a suburban housing colony in New Delhi into the homes, hearts and minds of innumerable fans all over the world, a journey that transcended boundaries of nations, and the artificial barriers of culture, Mushtaq added.

According to him, the book is the story of a survivor, a winner, a never-ending story of success.

Mushtaq's other famous friend is Television soap queen Ekta Kapoor and he has written scripts for television serials produced by Ekta's Balaji telefilms besides penning 'The Making of Asoka', a film produced by Shah Rukh Khan.

In the book, Mushtaq says that a clear brand philosophy and a brilliant understanding of mass psyche has been the strength of the SRK product. ''He is probably the best brand ever churned out by an Indian industry. Outrageous and outspoken in his interviews, he played to the masses right. Then there is the proverbial pinch of salt with which SRK takes himself. While his work reflects his passion, there has always been that wry black humour that grounds his reality. He has consistently stripped the idealistic glamour from his profession by branding himself a performer,'' the writer says about his book.

One section of this story deals with the portrait of the artist as an individual, while the other would be an analytical commentary of his body of work and closer look at the Shah Rukh phenomenon through his films.

The book explains the strongest points of attraction that a Shah Rukh film holds for the audience. It talks about the emotions and economics of being the Shahrukh Brand. The book would reveal a candid star talking unreservedly on his art and acting.

UNI