 Canada got its share of royalty with the Kinng of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar, visiting the famous Silvercity Brampton cineplex on Friday afternoon. The super-star, who flew in from Los Angeles that morning, was in Toronto to unveil a massive billboard of his upcoming biggie, Singh is Kinng. Remarkably, this is the first time that an Indian film has been advertised at a prime mainstream Hollywood theatre location, creating history of sorts.
2008 marks 10 years of Bollywood in Canada and what better way to celebrate than have Kinng Kumar doing the honours! The promotional event, organised by the international arm of Studio 18, saw a turnout of more than 3,000 cheering fans chanting Singh Is Kinng. British-Asian group, RDB did a live act before Kumar made his grand entry. Humility personified, he refused to sit on the throne that was kept for him, and got an overjoyed press photographer to perch on it instead.
He recited the Punjabi verse, which he has rendered in the title song of Singh Is Kinng and implored onlookers not only to watch the film upon its release but also attend his stage show with the Bachchan family later that evening. He declared his love for Canada, which he said was his second home, and added, "When I retire, I will move my family to Canada and settle down here."
Commenting on the king-size hoarding of Singh is Kinng on the facia of the cinema, Hemant Bhardwaj, Sr. VP, Intl Operations, Studio18, said, "I feel proud that the International team has created such a historic event for the most awaited film of the year. I hope its larger-than-life marketing will have the audience thronging to cinemas."
Akshay exclaimed, "I've always received an incredible amount of love from the people of Toronto; my films have met with a great response here. I'm glad that Bollywood is finally getting its due and even more elated that Singh is Kinng has heralded this change!"
Producer Vipul A. Shah added, "Akshay has already acquired legendary status and I can't think of a better way to start this new chapter in the history of Bollywood in the international market! He's an actor who has progressed faster than anyone else, and has emerged a superstar, a true Kinng! We're delighted that our film has been the one to set a precedent for others in the industry."
Singh Is Kinng releases internationally on Thursday August 7, by Studio 18.
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