By IndiaFM News Bureau, December 01st, 2003 - 1000 hrs IST


Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan was presented with a rare species of an orchid, which was named Ascocenda Shahrukh Khan, in Singapore on Saturday.

Asked how he felt having an orchid named after him, Shahrukh joked: “I'm just happy it wasn't a watermelon or a mango. It's a great honour.”

Shahrukh was in Singapore for the Shahrukh Khan: Live In Singapore concert, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on November 30th. His co-stars in the show, Rani Mukherjee and Saif Ali Khan, accompanied Shahrukh. Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra was also supposed to perform in the event.

Addressing a press conference on the 69th floor of Swissotel The Stamford, Shahrukh apologised to his fans in advance for having to limit his dancing at the show since he had hurt his back last year.

When asked if he thought cinema could mend the rift between India and Pakistan, Shahrukh said: “I work hard for all fans. To me, we are one country, not two. And I hate any Indian film that puts down Islam or Muslims.”

Concert Updates

Shahrukh Khan made his entrance in a cherry picker, reeling off jokes after a string of songs from his latest film, Kal Ho Naa Ho.

Saif Khan rose from an underground hydraulic lift as a Michael Jackson incarnation. And did flashy dance moves.

Priyanka Chopra and Rani Mukherjee flew into the spotlight separately, arriving on a sedan chair and a swing respectively.