Controversy over comments on Amar Singh 'closed chapter':Khan

Mumbai, Mar 18 (UNI) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has refused to comment on a Samajwadi Party demonstration outside his house last week to protest against his 'derogatory' reference to party general secretary Amar Singh during a film award function.

''It's old news which happened some days ago. The issue is over and a closed chapter,'' Shah Rukh said, replying to questions during a press conference organised by TAG Heuer, a leading luxury watch brand of which he is a brand ambassador, here yesterday.

The actor was gifted a limited edition of SLR Mercedes watch, specially designed on the occasion of Formula One (F1) season which begins in Melbourne today.

Nearly ten days after the comments made at a film award function were aired on television, the demonstrators protested against the actor outside his bungalow. A police contingent had to be deployed outside his home following the demonstration.

Speaking about TAG Heuer's association with F1, Shah Rukh said ''I am delighted that TAG Heuer has created a new watch for this exciting sport. Apart from owning this fantastic watch, I hope to get an opportunity to drive F1 some day.'' Recalling that he had driven a F3 car during the shooting of 'Baazigar', Shah Rukh revealed his sporty side when he said he follows the sport which his children were interested in playing.

''we play hockey and soccer in our garden in the evenings. As they are growing older, the game is also getting serious,'' he said adding that he feels India is assured of a semi-final berth at the cricket World Cup and has a huge chance of winning the tournament.

Interestingly, Khan's comments on India's prospects came when India was struggling against Bangladesh in its first match.

When asked if his forthcoming film 'Chak De India' in which he plays a coach of women's hockey team would boost the sport in India, Shah Rukh said he hoped that the film would make a positive impact on the game and promotes it. ''we require huge sponsorships for hockey in present times,'' he felt.

To a question on when he would gift a TAG Heuer to his son, the actor, in his inimitable style, remarked ''to wear a TAG watch, he needs to be deserving. Merely being Shah Rukh Khan's son will not do,'' he added.

Actress Priyanka Chopra, the new lady ambassador of TAG Heuer said that being part of the brand was a matter of "great pride" to her.

"The TAG brand strives for excellence and success like I try to achieve in my field. Wearing a TAG watch makes me feel like I have achieved something in life,'' she added.

Both Khan and Priyanka said time and speed were extremely important in personal and professional lives of individuals. ''I am bad with time not because I want to. I wish there were some more hours in a day so that I could fit many things in that period and also get time to sleep,'' he said, referring to his tendency to arrive late at functions.

The actor also clarified that gifting his personal watches to KBC contestants who do not do well was not a marketing gimmick of TAG Heuer. ''It is genuine personal and spontaneous decision. Actually, I am running out of watches,'' he quipped.

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