Movie star Khan eyes UAE office move

Shah Rukh Khan, the widely-acclaimed Bollywood superstar, is looking into setting up an office in the UAE to manage his film-making projects.

“I am going to set up an office here. I’m very keen to set up an office in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah,” he told Arabian Business.

Khan is currently visiting the UAE to participate in the launch of $2.1 billion Shah Rukh Khan Boulevard, which will be located on Dana Island, a project developed by master developer Rakeen.

Celebrity-branded property has become a prevailing trend across the UAE, with developers looking to differentiate their properties by lending them a celebrity name.

The idea of setting up an office came to Khan two years ago as he planned to film scenes from a movie in Dubai. While the film was scrapped, plans for an office were put on hold.

“I wanted to do it in Media City. I’d spoken to Nakheel and they were very forthcoming. I will do it inshallah now,” he said.

The celebrity, nicknamed ‘King of Indian Cinema’, is accompanied by his team who will be looking into various locations. Ras Al Khaimah is one, said the star.

“It [the office] will be for making films because I have a few people who’ve opened animation studios here who used to work with me earlier. And my friend is here, Akash [Arora], who has an animation studio.

“I want to tie up with them for my next film and that will require an office here so we can send our stuff here for the next film that we are making,” he said.

On the property side, Khan is not interested in investing his money in the property market, whether in the UAE or elsewhere.

“Most of the properties I have are for the end use, an office, a house, a studio. I’ve never had the money to invest in property as a speculator,” he said.

 As Bollywood celebrities increasingly look at Dubai to set up their second home, Khan is not an exception. The only difference is he didn’t have to pour any of his own money into it.  

“Nakheel very wonderfully have given me a place in Jumeirah two years ago. I’m just about to see it. It was given to me as a gift with the permission of the Indian Government,” he said.

The Shah Rukh Khan Boulevard is a project by TSA Group, a key player in the UAE real estate market, and is a beachfront residential development. The project is named after the superstar and has design inspirations provided by the actor.

READERS' COMMENTS

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM