BUY ME A HOUSE AND I'LL EVEN WORK THERE - SRK

IT WAS only recently that we saw him prancing on stage at Putra World Trade Centre for a Bakti charity concert and preening all over the jungles of the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia in Kepong, Selangor, for the One Two Ka Four film shoot.

But fans, being fans, will never have enough of Shahrukh Khan, Bollywood's No.1 export.Another date with Shahrukh will naturally draw fans in droves to watch this versatile actor, who is noted for his roguish charm, in action.So, once again, in collaboration with the Penang Government, show promoter Promosi Unggul Sdn Bhd is bringing Shahrukh to our shores.

And no matter what others have to say about his limited vocal range in singing, Shahrukh will unveil his immense dancing prowess (to make up for the lipsyncing) when he appears in a charity concert at the 11,000-seater Penang International Sports Arena next week.

While Malaysian fans have to fork out a wallet-straining RM60, RM250 or RM388 for tickets to witness another three-hour theatrical miming session, it is considered acceptable in the name of love for this Bollywood idol.

``It would be the best show Malaysians have ever seen,'' he boasted over his mobile telephone from Mumbai in an exclusive interview at the EMI office in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, recently.

``We've just staged similar shows in the United States and London which we called `Wanted' live shows. We (referring to himself, devoted friend and screen partner Juhi Chawla, and beauty queens-turned-actresses Sushmita Sen and Namrata Shirodkar) spent something like two months just putting this show together. It's going to be something really different and superior to other Bollywood shows that you have seen. The whole concept will be artistic in nature boasting all the four main elements - earth, water, fire and wind - and there'll be a lot of interaction with the audience.''

Is it true that, in one of the segments, Shahrukh will do a David Copperfield act, deftly and magically breathing fire?

``Yeah, I'll be breathing fire. After all, I am the hottest star,'' quipped Shahrukh, speaking from a location site for Karan Johar's movie Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Ghum which features big names like Kajol, Jaya Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan.

Juhi Chawla will be singing a few songs while Shahrukh will attempt to sing one song. ``God willing, if nobody laughs at me.''

The hugely popular actor was here two months ago for a dance sequence shoot of One Two Ka Four movie together with Juhi Chawla, his Dreamz Unlimited business partner.

``They are putting the special effects to the movie which will be screened in January. Malaysia looks so good in the movie but then nobody looks as good as I do,'' said Shahrukh.

Shahrukh, who looks forward to being here again feels that Malaysians really love him.

``Everywhere I go, there's so much love. Their love is so overwhelming and genuine even though we don't speak the same language. It's so touching. I found this out when I was there in August,'' said the actor who will be seen in his latest movie Mohabattein (pronounced Mohabate as the ein is silent) with Amitabh Bachchan soon.

To continue his love affair with his Malaysian fans, Shahrukh welcomes the thought of having more shows, more film shoots and more business dealings with Malaysian counterparts.

``I'd love to come back more often. Buy me a house and I'll even work there.''

BY ZIEMAN - PUBLISHED 27/10/2000