Bollywood’s much-awaited Chennai Express arrived in the UAE on Thursday at The Oberoi, Downtown Dubai, led by its lead actor, Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his co-star, Deepika Padukone.
Arriving a little over an hour after schedule, Khan, always the charmer, apologised profusely, and blamed the traffic.
He described ‘Chennai Express’ as a “romantic comedic” film, saying it was a labour of love many years in the making.
“I haven’t done an entertainer in a long time. It’s a clean, straightforward and honest film which I hope everyone will like,” he said.
The story of a man from Mumbai who travels to south India to fulfill his dead father’s final wish and ends up falling in love with a don’s daughter, the film will see Khan reunite with Padukone for the first time since the 2007 superhit Om Shanti Om.
The stars shared an easy camaraderie at the press meet, their final stop in a promotional tour that has taken them all over India and the world.
Asked whether Khan or Padukone looked hotter in a lungi -- the sarong-like drape popularly worn in south India-- the vote was unanimous amongst attendees in Khan’s favour.
“OK I agree he looks hotter but that’s because I helped him drape it,” Padukone, a south Indian herself, joked.
Khan joked that wearing the lungi took a lot of confidence.
“I’m not used to wearing things that make me feel insecure. With all the lights on set you had to be careful,” he said.
The actor also spoke about the film’s premise, which many have criticised for its portrayal of south Indian stereotypes.
“It’s a comedy so maybe at times you need to exaggerate but we were very careful not to make fun of south Indians,” he said.
Still one of the India’s largest crowd pullers after 22 years in the industry, Khan was asked if he sometimes felt insecure should he not be No 1.
“When you reach a certain stage in you career, comparisons become odious. If you keep it intangible, it makes the work more enjoyable,” he said.
“I want to be remembered instead as the actor who works the hardest. And the No 1 ‘thank you’ sayer.”
Khan and Padukone are due to visit Arabian Center in Khawaneej where Khan will break his fast with fans.
Chennai Express releases in the UAE on Eid.
