Shah Rukh, Deepika at world premiere of ‘Happy New Year’ in Dubai

In a glittering trailer launch for the latest in the Bollywood film factory, marketing guru and actor/producer Shah Rukh Khan unveiled his latest offering in a ceremony peppered with musical performances, a fashion show and a whole lot of his trademark humour in Mumbai.

But for UAE media, a special video conference was in store to coincide with the teaser launch of ‘Happy New Year’, in the presence of the film’s lead cast, including Shah Rukh himself, alongside Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood, newcomer Vivaan, along with director Farah Khan.

Albeit riddled with technical difficulties and over 3.5 hours behind schedule, a jubilant Shah Rukh and Farah both confirmed with Emirates 24|7 that ‘Happy New Year’ will host its grand premiere in Dubai on October 22.

Shah Rukh further said: “The film will host its premiere at the Atlantis (The Palm) itself on October 22; what better way than to host the screening in the grand premise where nearly 40 per cent of the movie has been shot.

“Dubai has proved to be a wonderful host to us, it is like my second home, and it would be great to return to the ‘scene of the crime’ to bring this journey to its conclusion.”

When quizzed whether the cast and crew would also bring the ‘Slam’ musical world tour to the city or integrate an element of it into the premiere itself, Shah Rukh said: “‘Slam’ will not be coming to Dubai right now, or be part of the premiere celebrations. Maybe at a later date, we will bring the whole world tour stage experience to the city and give Dubai the dazzling experience of Slam the way it should be.”

The heist film has been filmed extensively across Dubai, with the trailer launch unveiling a treat for UAE residents who will recognise several landmarks including the Atlantis The Palm, and its trademark New Year’s Eve fireworks, along with the Burj Al Arab, the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Airport and the glittering skyline of the city’s concrete jungle of Sheikh Zayed Road.

The cast has also filmed a crucial chase sequence for the film’s climax in the Hatta desert sands.

Speaking about the film’s premise, Abhishek Bachchan summarised the experience, saying: “It is a heist move set against the backdrop of a world dance championships. It is the kind of fun, masala film that Shah Rukh and Farah have never seen because they never worked with a greater star cast.”

As the ‘Happy New Year’ trailer shot up the trends charts on Twitter, in both India and the UAE, several fans were also critical in drawing comparisons between Farah’s latest offering with that of her brother, Sajid Khan, whose ‘Humshakals’ has gone down in the Bollywood hall of fame as one of the worst films ever made.

Shah Rukh appeared confident with his film’s box office prospect, saying: “It is the smartness of Farah who has worked her magic in bringing us all together in what is best described as an ‘emotional heist film’.

“Yes, it is difficult to bring logic to such films but what you get here is the complete package, and it doesn’t get any better.”

The gushing Deepika, who debuted with both Farah and Shah Rukh in ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007), gushed some more when her director and co-star referred to her as “the complete package” and “the biggest actor in Bollywood today”.

The young actress proclaimed: “No one could have asked for a bigger and better debut than the one I got with ‘OSO’. Your co-star and your director lay down the foundation for the journey that lies ahead and today, where I am in Bollywood and what I have learned, everything has been from a film set. That has been the story of my success.”

‘Happy New Year’, which has been produced by Shah Rukh’s Red Chillies Entertainment and distributed by Yash Raj Films, will be globally released on October 23.

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