The face of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan lit up the façade of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as the actor promoted his new film Jawan in a city where he has a massive following.
Shah Rukh Khan, who has had a close association with Dubai for many years, was there yesterday to talk about Jawan, which releases on September 7. In this action-packed thriller, Shah Rukh sports a new look: a completely shaven head.
Addressing fans through his Instagram account ahead of his August 31 event in Dubai, Shah Rukh said: “Jawan ka jashn main aapke saath na manau yeh ho nahin sakta (It cannot be that I would not celebrate Jawan with you). Aa raha hoon main (I am coming to) Burj Khalifa on 31st August at 9 PM and celebrate JAWAN with me. And since love is the most beautiful feeling in the world, toh pyaar ke rang mein rang jao (let us wear the colours of love) and lets wear red…what say? READYYYY! (sic)”
During the event in Dubai, the Bollywood superstar talked about his unique look in Jawan. Keeping in mind the global appeal of Indian cinema and the universal recognition of Shah Rukh Khan, the film is being released not just in Hindi, but also in Tamil and Telugu.
Shah Rukh’s previous release, Pathan, was the first blockbuster of 2023, having released ahead of Republic Day in January; now, there are high hopes from Jawan in a season of big hits for Bollywood. Sunny Deol’s Gadar 2 and the Ranvir-Alia-starrer Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani have both hit the box-office bull’s eye, bringing post-pandemic cheer to the film industry.
About Jawan, the actor said in Dubai that the film would offer something unique to the audience and that he would be seen in “six to seven getups”.
Shah Rukh said, “I’m even bald in [Jawan], so that’s something I’m never ever going to be in my life. It was the first and the last time.” The Bollywood superstar quipped that the audience should watch the film at least out of appreciation for his “ganja (bald)” look.
“Abhi aap logo ke liye main ganja bhi ho gaya hu. To issi ki izzat ke liye chale jaana… Mujhe ganja hone ka ya dekhne ka mauka mile ya na mile, kya pata (I even went bald for you. At least, honour that and watch the film in theatres. You may or may not get another chance to see me bald),” he said.
“It is a 2 hour and 45 minute film. I hope you enjoy all that we’ve dealt with in the film,” said Shah Rukh.
Promoting his film, the actor performed with a dance troupe to the song Zinda Banda from Jawan at the Dubai event, which was also attended by director Atlee and music composer Anirudh Ravichander.
The film’s trailer was projected on the iconic Burj Khalifa building during the event, where Shah Rukh and the team also launched the Arabic version of the movie’s popular song Chaleya. The promotional event was attended by over 20,000 people, according to the makers.
“Jawan is very special for us, because somewhere we realised that entertainment — what we entertain you with — should have no language, religion, caste, colour, creed or any kind of distinction,” said Shah Rukh. “We should all come together to celebrate entertainment with our families, loved ones. This is the first step in that direction. So we made the film in Tamil and Telugu, and tonight, the attempt is also to release a song in Arabic.”
—With inputs from the Press Trust of India