SRK calling frenzy in Dubai

It has been raining phone calls and personal
messages for Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan in UAE within days of an ad
campaign featuring him with his local mobile number appeared on the television
screens. Besides Khan, Du, the local telecom services provider, has roped in
three other Arab celebrities, which include Lebanese TV presenter George Kurdahi,
Emirati jewellery designer Azza Al Quabaisi and animation director Mohammed
Saeed Hareb. Du, said that more than 8,000 calls with over 1,000 personal voice
messages were recorded for Khan. But it was unclear whether all the four
advertisements were shown on the same day.

The number of calls almost went up 200 per cent on
the second day itself,” Du said in a statement. On Monday an advertisement of
the company ran on TV screens displaying Khan’s mobile number alongside the
endorsement of a product brand.Du, denied that the number was a marketing
strategy after several fans and movie buffs questioned its authenticity. “Hi
this is Shahrukh Khan. I cannot take your call right now. Please leave your
message and love.” a taped message in Khan’s voice greeted the callers in Hindi.

The recorded voice however, did not mention that the star would revert back
as any normal voiced message would do. By the end of the day, much to the
disappointment of fans, no calls were going through.”Due to the overwhelming
public interaction, we have been facing some technical difficulties. We have
optimised our system. Customers across the UAE can now continue to leave their
personal messages for their beloved cine star uninterrupted,” the company said.