Chaitanya Padukone

Furious at allegations that he exploits cricket venues to sell his film, Khan intends to stay away from such events. Having won every possible film award till date, there is one award, which has still escaped Shah Rukh Khan.

“I hope they consider me for the National Award—that is if they feel I am worthy of it. It’s the only honour that has eluded me so far,” he confesses on the eve of the release of the book ‘The Making of Om Shanti Om’ (‘OSO’). Screenplay writer of ‘Om Shanti Om’, Mushtaq Sheikh, has penned the volume. 

The ‘Chak De India’ coach is also furious with allegations that he was exploiting cricket venues to promote his movie where his children (Aryan and Suhana) accompanied him.  “Why is this issue being blown up?  Even when cricket matches were not extensively covered by channels I’ve taken my kids along on three occasions to watch the game. It’s my passion. Obviously, the media will ask me questions relating to movies since I belong to this fraternity. It’s not a calculated exercise on my part,” he explains adding, “When the BCCI formally invited me, I attended with enthusiasm. After all this flak, I’m a bit disheartened.

Maybe, next time round, I’ll send only my children, without me accompanying them,” insists SRK who has no regrets about dropping out from the film ‘Robot’ directed by South film-maker Shankar. “We did try our best to mutually reconcile but it did not work. Maybe there is something better lined up,” he ends with optimism.