Shah Rukh Khan headed for Singapore

The "King of Bollywood" has a June date in Singapore. Actor Shah Rukh Khan is slated to make an appearance at the 13th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards among with other leading names in the Indian movie industry. This was revealed by Indian actor-producer Anil Kapoor during an interview on Channel NewsAsia's "AM Live" breakfast programme on Wednesday. "You know, I am not supposed to, but I'll spill the beans," said Kapoor, smiling playfully beneath his luxuriant moustache when asked about the IIFA to be held June 7-9 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. "There is definitely Shah Rukh Khan coming and, hopefully, we're trying, there will be Hrithik Roshan, and many more." The affable star, who was in town with actress Bipasha Basu to promote the IIFA Weekend and Awards, is one the few Asian actors who has made a Hollywood mark. "When I was in L.A. they ask me, and they get a shock that I have done 100 films, and they said 'did you start working when you were in nappies?'," chuckled Kapoor who has appeared in more films than even his "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" co-star Tom Cruise, with over 100 film appearances under his belt. The 2008 "Slumdog Millionaire" star also shared some rather interesting observations about the differences between Hollywood and Bollywood. "They (Hollywood films) are big films and the money you spend, and of course the technology, the organisation, the structuring is slightly different. "We in India, of course we make more films, but we create in chaos. "It's chaotic but still we create films which are watched, we are self-sufficient to an extent," explained Kapoor. "Our focus is the Indian diaspora. Of course, it is growing, there is a certain kind of audience which is going and seeing Indian films and Bollywood films." This group of Indian film-loving audiences is set to grow in number, especially with events like the IIFA Weekend and Awards bringing the glitz and glamour of Bollywood to audiences around the world. "IIFA is something very special. It's an award which travels to various countries. "I have no words to really express it, you have to experience it," said Kapoor, of the annual IIFA celebrations which is into its 13th year. "It's a celebration. It's a bouquet of so many things. "Of course there is the award ceremony (on June 9), there is fashion, there is glamour, there are workshops, there is networking, you just name it, it's everything under one [roof]," Kapoor continued. "It's like Oscars meeting Cannes (the Cannes International film festival)." The IIFA Weekend and Awards also aims to establish symbiotic relationships between India and the host country in areas like tourism, culture as well as trade. And it has been very successful. The last time the IIFA celebrations were held in Singapore back in 2004, closer ties were forged between India and Singapore, while thousands visited Singapore to get up close and personal with the contingent of about 450 Indian celebrities that turned up for the events. This year's IIFA events, which will be jointly organised by the IIFA and Singapore Tourism Board, are expected to draw even more visitors to the Lion City.