SRK’s ‘Asperger Syndrome,’ an answer to Aamir’s ‘Dyslexia’?

With Aamir Khan’s socially acclaimed Taare Zameen Par making it to the Oscar nominations, it’s time for Shah Rukh Khan to prove his mettle in that genre. Rizvan Khan, the character played by Shah Rukh in his upcoming flick My Name is Khan, suffers from Asperger Syndrome, a relatively milder form of autism. SRK’s role seems to be inspired by Aamir Khan’s concept of Dyslexia in Taare Zameen Par, as both the conditions are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, stereotyped patterns of behaviour and interests.

Speaking about his new film, Karan Johar said, “I have been quite nervous about handling the complex film like this and entering into a territory of new theme is a great challenge to accomplish.”

In the film, SRK is detained as a suspected terrorist because he is a Muslim and his impairment makes his behaviour suspicious. “Getting Shah Rukh portrayed in such a role is so difficult,” says Karan, who has a truly captivating message that states ‘strong support of humanity would alone get everyone’s lives elated’.

Well, all we can say is that after Aamir Khan swayed with ‘Dyslexia Syndrome’ in TZP, Shah Rukh’s ‘Asperger Syndrome’ certainly didn’t come as a surprise!

Meanwhile, King Khan will be the star attraction of the Zee Carnival - a two-day entertainment and lifestyle extravaganza to be held in Singapore next weekend.

Already the SRK fever is catching on. Apart from his fans among the 200,000-strong Indian expatriate community in Singapore, large crowds are also expected from neighbouring Malaysia.

He has a sizeable fan following in Singapore, thanks to the Indian expatriate community. His photographs often find their way into the lifestyle sections of newspapers here, while a leading daily newspaper recently carried a two-page interview with him.

Not just Indians, but the growing numbers of other Bollywood fans in Singapore had flocked to cinemas when SRK’s two recent blockbusters, Om Shanti Om and Chak De! India were released here.

At the carnival, SRK’s fans will have a chance to get up close and personal with him.

Bollywood’s reigning heart throb will make numerous appearances on both days, spending time interacting with the crowds, signing autographs and allowing his fans to get their photographs taken with him.

Apart from King Khan, the other stars who will make an appearance are mainly from the Zee TV stable, including the host of the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa show Aditya Narayan, the show’s singers Raja Hasan and Poonam Jatav, Iqbaal Khan and the singing duo, Sharad and Kirti Kelkar, better known by their screen names, Nahar and Chandni.

The Zee event also includes a lifestyle segment showcasing fashion and design trends from across the globe. TV show host and chef Sanjeev Kapoor of Khana Khazana fame will be giving cookery demonstrations. That is expected to be a big draw.

The carnival on October 11 and 12 is being held at Suntec City, a popular conference and exhibition space in the heart of downtown Singapore. It will be preceded by the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference of overseas Indians which concludes a day earlier on Oct 10.